Washington-Liberty IB Program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my IB diploma decades ago, so this isn't a comment about how W/L does it currently, but I don't understand why PPs act like you have to pick between AP and IB....you can take an AP test even if you don't take the class, but you can't take an IB test without being in the program. Back in the day I got the IB diploma and I took several AP tests as well. What am I missing about how it works currently?

W-L offers a full AP program for students who prefer those courses over IB. And many students do in fact take a mix of AP and IB courses. So it’s not exactly a binary choice. The full IB diploma program is perhaps the most popular academic path at the school since students transfer into W-L specifically for that program. Back when APS and W-L first discussed introducing the IB Program way back in the 1970s, parents insisted that the AP program be retained. So when IB was finally implemented, students then had a choice between full IB, an AP course structure, or a mix of various AP and IB courses.

Not sure I see where you get the idea full IB is the most popular path, given relatively few students actually graduate with an IB diploma. Transfer students HAVE to take full IB; but if you're districted to WL, you can just take individual classes or the full program. My impression is that the vast majority of students do NOT take full IB.

This is my impression too as a family zoned for W-L. Both my kids took a mix of AP and IB classes and have friends that do that and others doing full IB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got my IB diploma decades ago, so this isn't a comment about how W/L does it currently, but I don't understand why PPs act like you have to pick between AP and IB....you can take an AP test even if you don't take the class, but you can't take an IB test without being in the program. Back in the day I got the IB diploma and I took several AP tests as well. What am I missing about how it works currently?

W-L offers a full AP program for students who prefer those courses over IB. And many students do in fact take a mix of AP and IB courses. So it’s not exactly a binary choice. The full IB diploma program is perhaps the most popular academic path at the school since students transfer into W-L specifically for that program. Back when APS and W-L first discussed introducing the IB Program way back in the 1970s, parents insisted that the AP program be retained. So when IB was finally implemented, students then had a choice between full IB, an AP course structure, or a mix of various AP and IB courses.

Not sure I see where you get the idea full IB is the most popular path, given relatively few students actually graduate with an IB diploma. Transfer students HAVE to take full IB; but if you're districted to WL, you can just take individual classes or the full program. My impression is that the vast majority of students do NOT take full IB.

This is my impression too as a family zoned for W-L. Both my kids took a mix of AP and IB classes and have friends that do that and others doing full IB

Exactly my experience. My DS takes most IB classes but is not in full IB. VERY few kids graduate with an IB diploma.

I'm sorry that the perception of some on this board is that IB only gives 'busy work'. My DS has become an excellent writer, has great critical thinking skills and has very intellectual conversations - all that I attribute to IB.

[Anonymous]

Gee, I guess Yorktown and Wakefield students are just totally screwed since they don’t take life-changing IB courses like the amazing kids at W-L. I hope they can write a sentence by the time they graduate…lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gee, I guess Yorktown and Wakefield students are just totally screwed since they don’t take life-changing IB courses like the amazing kids at W-L. I hope they can write a sentence by the time they graduate…lol.

Not sure what post you're referring to? Unless you just have a chip on your shoulder from other posts about the IB program. The OP just asked a simple question about WL IB. Stay on topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gee, I guess Yorktown and Wakefield students are just totally screwed since they don’t take life-changing IB courses like the amazing kids at W-L. I hope they can write a sentence by the time they graduate…lol.

Not sure what post you're referring to? Unless you just have a chip on your shoulder from other posts about the IB program. The OP just asked a simple question about WL IB. Stay on topic.

PP was referring to the PPP's comments about her kids' great writing and critical thinking skills etc. which are attributed to the IB program available only at WL.

I agree with PP's first snarky statement about WHS and YHS being screwed - because I'm sick of the praise and glorification of WL and how everyone has to be able to go to WL or their kids are doomed for life and how devastating and unfair if they're districted away from WL during a boundary process. We were zoned for Jefferson MS and the IB program was very disappointing. Hardly anything to rave about.

I don't agree with PP's second snarky statement though - precisely because it IS snarky WHILE the general writing program in APS actually sucks. Unless your kids take a lot of AP and AP seminar, they DON'T learn to write more than a short one- or two-page essay.....which they've been learning to do since elementary school. IB students in high school do more writing and that is a positive; but most of that doesn't happen until junior and senior years. And it doesn't make WL the holy grail of public education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gee, I guess Yorktown and Wakefield students are just totally screwed since they don’t take life-changing IB courses like the amazing kids at W-L. I hope they can write a sentence by the time they graduate…lol.

Not sure what post you're referring to? Unless you just have a chip on your shoulder from other posts about the IB program. The OP just asked a simple question about WL IB. Stay on topic.

PP was referring to the PPP's comments about her kids' great writing and critical thinking skills etc. which are attributed to the IB program available only at WL.

I agree with PP's first snarky statement about WHS and YHS being screwed - because I'm sick of the praise and glorification of WL and how everyone has to be able to go to WL or their kids are doomed for life and how devastating and unfair if they're districted away from WL during a boundary process. We were zoned for Jefferson MS and the IB program was very disappointing. Hardly anything to rave about.

I don't agree with PP's second snarky statement though - precisely because it IS snarky WHILE the general writing program in APS actually sucks. Unless your kids take a lot of AP and AP seminar, they DON'T learn to write more than a short one- or two-page essay.....which they've been learning to do since elementary school. IB students in high school do more writing and that is a positive; but most of that doesn't happen until junior and senior years. And it doesn't make WL the holy grail of public education.

IB doesn't start until 11th grade. Jefferson's program is not really IB; it's just a framework for connecting dots. One DC graduated full IB from W-L and another is at Yorktown. From experience, I can unequivocally say that W-L is far superior to YHS.

[Anonymous]

Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

It is a county-wide program. Any Arlington resident can attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

It is a county-wide program. Any Arlington resident can attend.

Not true. You are guaranteed if you live in WL district. Otherwise it’s lottery for seats. So some kids are guaranteed and others not. This year they took everyone. But that’s not common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

It is a county-wide program. Any Arlington resident can attend.

Not true. You are guaranteed if you live in WL district. Otherwise it’s lottery for seats. So some kids are guaranteed and others not. This year they took everyone. But that’s not common.

They’ve taken all applicants for at least the past years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

It is a county-wide program. Any Arlington resident can attend.

Not true. You are guaranteed if you live in WL district. Otherwise it’s lottery for seats. So some kids are guaranteed and others not. This year they took everyone. But that’s not common.

They’ve taken all applicants for at least the past years.

Past 6 years

[Anonymous]

IB diploma is a known thumb on the scale for some colleges. U of California system, Occidental, and others. It’s definitely why my kid got into UCLA when classmates with the same GPA didn’t. UC loves IB kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

It is a county-wide program. Any Arlington resident can attend.

That's not quite true. There are limited seats available and students must meet certain academic requirements to be eligible IF they are transferring into WL from another school.
Meanwhile, any student districted to WL is eligible for the IB program and can opt to take some IB classes (with any relevant pre-requisites) without being full-time IB.
I'm saying the IB program should be for full-time IB students comprised completely by application and lottery (like HB and AT), and then also accommodate non-IB students for individual IB classes like CTE courses are limitedly available to students at any high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to beat those college admission stats for IB diploma students. Surely some self-selection involved, but full IB students get different counselor recommendations than other WL students.

The IB program should be removed from WL. If APS wants an IB option program, they should make it a full countywide option. If APS wants part-time IB students, they should allow any student at any of the high schools to take a few IB classes from that IB option program....like taking CTE courses at the Career Center.

It is a county-wide program. Any Arlington resident can attend.

Not true. You are guaranteed if you live in WL district. Otherwise it’s lottery for seats. So some kids are guaranteed and others not. This year they took everyone. But that’s not common.

They’ve taken all applicants for at least the past years.

Past 6 years

Almost was not the case this year until APS changed its mind. However, there are still academic eligibility requirements for transfers; so it's more accurate to say they accepted all applicants who met the eligibility criteria. While any WL student can access IB regardless of those academic requirements.