IB typical sequence?

[Anonymous]

I don't know why this is so confusing for me but it still is. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around what kids normally do for the IB tracks. DC is at Robinson and headed into 10th next year and is thinking to shoot for the IB route rather than the few AP classes Robinson offers. The charts the school has are still really confusing to me.

Can anyone help me fill out what's standard/typical here for that school for those on the higher academic track (no need/desire to be the tippy top route though)? Should they get Physics over with in 10th (and do summer PE to make room) so they don't have to double up on science while doing the TOK classes

10th: IB Math Applications 1 (in Alg 2 Honors this year); Eng Honors, Chem Honors, Language 4 (in Lang 3 this year), Gov Honors, PE, 1 free elective of anythign

11th: AP Calc AB, Eng IB SL?, IB Bio HL1, IB Lang SL1, IB American History, TOK, 1 free elective of anythign

12th: IB Math Applications HL2, Engl IB SL, IB Bio HL2, IB Lang SL2, IB World History HL, TOK, Physics Honors (they still need to take this class so it needs done somewhere, right? Is Sr yr normally when?)...so, no "free" elective?

Alternatively, have others found it possible to do a "normal" AP track at Robinson?

AP Gov, APUSH, AP World
AP Lit, AP Lang
Precalc, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC
Chem Honors in 10th, Physics Honors in 11th and AP Science in 12th
Lang 4, IB Lang SL1, IB Lang SL2
+ maybe 2 other AP electives

[Anonymous]

AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Thx. We aren’t pupil placing but I appreciate that AP insights here. I don’t think DC would be up for the MV/Linear path; that type of “max it all” isn’t their speed.
- OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Are you saying that when a college lists the IB test scores that lead to credit, the colleges are then refusing to give the credit listed on their website without additional documentation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Are you saying that when a college lists the IB test scores that lead to credit, the colleges are then refusing to give the credit listed on their website without additional documentation?

The schools on that list are good for accepting IB courses. Schools not on that list might not be as easy to get credit for. We have four friends whose kids took IB classes in the last few years who have struggled to get college credit. The kids had to bring syllabi and course work to demonstrate that the work was at a college class level. There are an awful lot of schools not on that list.

[Anonymous]

If your child wants to take calculus in high school junior year, you want them taking IB Math Analysis sophomore year, calculus junior year, and analysis II SL/HL senior year.

Applications year 1 is not a full precalculus curriculum and does not adequately prepare for calculus. It is a survey course with snippets of statistics and discrete math and precalc and trig. After applications II calculus is possible. Most kids who take applications 1 in 10th grade do AP stats junior year, though now that AP Precalculus is offered more are taking that too since it's a weighted credit.

Alternatively if they aren't a diploma candidate and are set on a stem adjacent degree in college, AP precalc/AP Calc AB/AP Stats is a valid choice too. Robinson offers all 3.

Applications is a nice course if your child really has no idea what kind of math they like (or they don't love pure math) since it does a bit of everything. The AP route is better for the kid who is ready to commit to calculus and values the potential college credit.

[Anonymous]

There isn’t a normal AP track at Robinson, OP. Most of the APs you mentioned are not offered.

Most kids do some kind of Chem in 10th. Not sure the percent who do IB chem. Most diploma kids do HL English because it is not much harder than SL. You can also do History honors in 11th if you want to do IB Geography SL in 12th. The IB topics class you referenced is one of the hardest, but my daughter loved it. TOK is only in 11th so it will open up a slot in 12th.

My son did Analysis HL. His friend did Apps HL. Both were admitted to great schools with a STEM major. My daughter started in apps in 10th and switched to analysis in 11th. Apps is significantly easier.

Reach out to the IB coordinators-they’re really great about responding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Are you saying that when a college lists the IB test scores that lead to credit, the colleges are then refusing to give the credit listed on their website without additional documentation?

The schools on that list are good for accepting IB courses. Schools not on that list might not be as easy to get credit for. We have four friends whose kids took IB classes in the last few years who have struggled to get college credit. The kids had to bring syllabi and course work to demonstrate that the work was at a college class level. There are an awful lot of schools not on that list.

What colleges wouldn’t give IB credit?
No issues at UVA. Va Tech even more generous - they give credit for just even taking TOK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There isn’t a normal AP track at Robinson, OP. Most of the APs you mentioned are not offered.

Most kids do some kind of Chem in 10th. Not sure the percent who do IB chem. Most diploma kids do HL English because it is not much harder than SL. You can also do History honors in 11th if you want to do IB Geography SL in 12th. The IB topics class you referenced is one of the hardest, but my daughter loved it. TOK is only in 11th so it will open up a slot in 12th.

My son did Analysis HL. His friend did Apps HL. Both were admitted to great schools with a STEM major. My daughter started in apps in 10th and switched to analysis in 11th. Apps is significantly easier.

Reach out to the IB coordinators-they’re really great about responding.

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of info I was trying to get. What is the “topic class” you’re mentioning? The IB world history one?

- OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Are you saying that when a college lists the IB test scores that lead to credit, the colleges are then refusing to give the credit listed on their website without additional documentation?

The schools on that list are good for accepting IB courses. Schools not on that list might not be as easy to get credit for. We have four friends whose kids took IB classes in the last few years who have struggled to get college credit. The kids had to bring syllabi and course work to demonstrate that the work was at a college class level. There are an awful lot of schools not on that list.

What colleges wouldn’t give IB credit?
No issues at UVA. Va Tech even more generous - they give credit for just even taking TOK.

UVA is on the list that takes IB easily. Many schools do not. It is a niche program in the US. Schools will give credit but students have to be ready to jump through hops to get it. Most kids at the IB schools are not going to get into UVA and VT because the two schools are not going to take more then a few kids from each HS.

I know people are protective of IB but it is not known through out the country. The questions posted just this week show how little people know about the program. MS Counselors don’t understand the program well enough to give good advice on foreign languages. The slides i saw from one of the IB schools presentations this week were confusing. The parents I know with kids at IB schools are regularly talking about how the program is confusing.

[Anonymous]

Robo parent here. I have one that graduated and obtained the IB diploma and another that is currently a freshman also in Alg 2H. This is likely the path they will take:


10th: IB Math Applications 1; Eng Honors, Adv Chem for IB, Language 4, AP Gov, 2 electives (they will take summer PE)

11th: AP Stats, Eng IB Lang/Comp, IB science (TBD) IB Lang SL1, IB HOTA (that’s what they call it), TOK, 1 IB elective

12th: IB Math Applications HL2, Engl IB Lang/Comp HL, IB science, IB Lang HL, IB Topics HL, 1 IB elective, 1 free choice

My kid is talking about doing IB foreign lang next year, then SL, then HL. Not sure what they want for science, so that is still a question.

My older kid took IB physics in 11 and IB env science in 12.

The school does an excellent job advising on this and the IB teachers are top notch. You don’t need to worry! I’ll also add that they don’t advise taking more than 3 HL classes senior year, but some do take 4. Also - my grad tells me they basically have every IB student do the HL route in English whether they choose Lit or Lang.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I realize I indicated my kid plans to do 4 HL classes senior year. I don’t actually think they will.

Also - the IB Lang course is called Lit and Lang I think. My older student just did IB Lit.

[Anonymous]

PP again - Robo trimmed back AP offerings a few years ago to focus on and invest in IB. So you aren’t going to find a full complement of AP courses like you would at LB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Are you saying that when a college lists the IB test scores that lead to credit, the colleges are then refusing to give the credit listed on their website without additional documentation?

The schools on that list are good for accepting IB courses. Schools not on that list might not be as easy to get credit for. We have four friends whose kids took IB classes in the last few years who have struggled to get college credit. The kids had to bring syllabi and course work to demonstrate that the work was at a college class level. There are an awful lot of schools not on that list.

What colleges wouldn’t give IB credit?
No issues at UVA. Va Tech even more generous - they give credit for just even taking TOK.

UVA is on the list that takes IB easily. Many schools do not. It is a niche program in the US. Schools will give credit but students have to be ready to jump through hops to get it. Most kids at the IB schools are not going to get into UVA and VT because the two schools are not going to take more then a few kids from each HS.

I know people are protective of IB but it is not known through out the country. The questions posted just this week show how little people know about the program. MS Counselors don’t understand the program well enough to give good advice on foreign languages. The slides i saw from one of the IB schools presentations this week were confusing. The parents I know with kids at IB schools are regularly talking about how the program is confusing.

Do you even have anything to base this on? I have seen the school’s data that about 2/3 of the IB diploma candidates get in to UVA. Mine didn’t, but was admitted to VT’s honors college. They ended up choosing another state flagship. They got 21 credits for the IB classes they completed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP classes are more likely to get you college credits with no hassle. The kids we know who have graduated from an IB school have had to do a good amount of leg work to get IB classes counted for credit at colleges. If you go IB, keep all of the syllabi you have and as much of the course work as you can because there are a good number of schools that want to see that before giving credit. There is a list of colleges that accept IB on the FCPS IB page, take a look there. If your kid is not thinking about attending one of those colleges AND you want them to get some college credits under their belt, then go AP.

Also, keep in mind that they take their IB tests senior year if they are going to the diploma. I have not heard of anyone splitting Math applications the way you have it, normally they take the Math applications over two years and then chose a different math senior year. Math Application is supposed to cover Calculus so I am not sure that they will let you take that class and AP Calc, if they do, take BC. Most kids who are ahead in math with skip Calc AB, take BC, and then take multivariate and linear algebra as seniors.

We chose pupil placement over IB because of the headaches our neighbors have had.

Are you saying that when a college lists the IB test scores that lead to credit, the colleges are then refusing to give the credit listed on their website without additional documentation?

The schools on that list are good for accepting IB courses. Schools not on that list might not be as easy to get credit for. We have four friends whose kids took IB classes in the last few years who have struggled to get college credit. The kids had to bring syllabi and course work to demonstrate that the work was at a college class level. There are an awful lot of schools not on that list.

What colleges wouldn’t give IB credit?
No issues at UVA. Va Tech even more generous - they give credit for just even taking TOK.

UVA is on the list that takes IB easily. Many schools do not. It is a niche program in the US. Schools will give credit but students have to be ready to jump through hops to get it. Most kids at the IB schools are not going to get into UVA and VT because the two schools are not going to take more then a few kids from each HS.

I know people are protective of IB but it is not known through out the country. The questions posted just this week show how little people know about the program. MS Counselors don’t understand the program well enough to give good advice on foreign languages. The slides i saw from one of the IB schools presentations this week were confusing. The parents I know with kids at IB schools are regularly talking about how the program is confusing.

Do you even have anything to base this on? I have seen the school’s data that about 2/3 of the IB diploma candidates get in to UVA. Mine didn’t, but was admitted to VT’s honors college. They ended up choosing another state flagship. They got 21 credits for the IB classes they completed.

My friends, multiple, who have told me this was an issue. I stated from the start that I have friends in the neighborhood who were IB and struggled to get credit. I didn't hide that it was anecdotal. And there are more kids who take IB classes and don't complete the diploma. Those kids try to get credit for their IB classes as well, it is not only the IB Diploma kids who might very well have a higher success rate at the schools on the FCPS IB website list. Diploma completion is low, I think the highest school had 100 diplomas completed last year which would be around 20% of the seniors at that school. Others have 10% to 1% of kids completing the Diploma. So yes, I can see kids completing the Diploma getting accepted at the schools on that list. But then the other 80%-99% have a lower chance of being accepted to UVA or VT, especially if the diploma kids are accepted. They end up at schools and want to get credit for the IB classes/tests they took and struggle.

The reality is, if college credit matters to you then AP is easier to get credit in. You don't need a list of colleges that accept AP scores, you need a list of colleges that don't because it is a small number of schools.