AP vs. IB for science/math/technology kid?

[Anonymous]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of AP vs. IB in FCPS high schools for kids that are science/math/technology fans?

[Anonymous]

I'm not exactly sure, but I have heard that AP is more "science-based" focus and AP is more writing, holistic-based - whatever that means.

But my real point (and I do have one) is that you also have to look at a specific school. For instance, I've seen Marshall HS (IB) place well in regional science fairs, but WSHS (AP) have no showings (perhaps they don't participate in certain science fairs)?

[Anonymous]

Thank you, 12:15. I am less interested in high school science fairs (but your point is a good one re: specific schools) and more interested in what program (diploma?) is better for college. So, if a student ultimately decides to seek admission to colleges with a science/math/technology focus, is AP better/worse than IB?

[Anonymous]

I depends on what you mean by "better for college." In terms of colleges admissions, I don't think one is better than the other. In terms of which is better to get college credit from HS courses, colleges understand AP better and give more college credits for AP classes. In terms of the best HS courses in math/science, my guess is AP has an edge. In terms of best overall student experience, I personally think IB is better. I'm a math/science person but too many math/science people skipped over English/writing courses in HS and college, IMO. So, it depends on what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I depends on what you mean by "better for college." In terms of colleges admissions, I don't think one is better than the other. In terms of which is better to get college credit from HS courses, colleges understand AP better and give more college credits for AP classes. In terms of the best HS courses in math/science, my guess is AP has an edge. In terms of best overall student experience, I personally think IB is better. I'm a math/science person but too many math/science people skipped over English/writing courses in HS and college, IMO. So, it depends on what you're looking for.

Thank you for expanding on these important distinctions.

When I was in college (a long time ago ) I was able to place out of a BIO 101 class as I had scored well on the AP Biology exam. I also had a strong biology background thanks to an excellent biology class in high school. So I am defining "better for college" as the ability to take a strong science class in high school, do well in the related AP Exam, and to place out of an intro science course to take a still-important other college course.

My student is happiest in science/math/tech endeavors and I am trying to learn more about high school options. He's currently in 7th grade AAP. Some of his friends' base high school is AP and the others' base high school is IB. Our base high school is IB.

[Anonymous]

Part of the issue with the IB program is that obtaining a full IB diploma really is quite demanding - more so than attending an AP school and taking 2-3 AP courses a year. To obtain a full IB diploma, students have to fulfill community service requirements, take a "Theory of Knowledge" class that is similar to a freshman-level philosophy course, and write numerous long papers. You can still take selected IB courses in the maths and sciences, and not puruse the full IB diploma, but then you run the risk that a college may not look as favorably on such a student as a student from the same school who's getting an IB diploma. Based on what you've described, it sounds as if your son might be happier at an AP school (where there's no "AP diploma" and kids can take AP courses a la carte), but there are those who believe an IB diploma is excellent preparation for colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part of the issue with the IB program is that obtaining a full IB diploma really is quite demanding - more so than attending an AP school and taking 2-3 AP courses a year. To obtain a full IB diploma, students have to fulfill community service requirements, take a "Theory of Knowledge" class that is similar to a freshman-level philosophy course, and write numerous long papers. You can still take selected IB courses in the maths and sciences, and not puruse the full IB diploma, but then you run the risk that a college may not look as favorably on such a student as a student from the same school who's getting an IB diploma. Based on what you've described, it sounds as if your son might be happier at an AP school (where there's no "AP diploma" and kids can take AP courses a la carte), but there are those who believe an IB diploma is excellent preparation for colleges.

Thank you so much for all of these details! Your post is incredibly helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My student is happiest in science/math/tech endeavors and I am trying to learn more about high school options. He's currently in 7th grade AAP. Some of his friends' base high school is AP and the others' base high school is IB. Our base high school is IB.

Just wondering - are you at Kilmer? I know it splits between Madison (AP) and Marshall (IB).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My student is happiest in science/math/tech endeavors and I am trying to learn more about high school options. He's currently in 7th grade AAP. Some of his friends' base high school is AP and the others' base high school is IB. Our base high school is IB.

Just wondering - are you at Kilmer? I know it splits between Madison (AP) and Marshall (IB).

Yes

[Anonymous]

I don't think you can go wrong with either of those schools. If I had a kid who was very strong at math and science, but didn't have any desire to do the full IB program, I might pupil place to Madison, assuming I could deal with the transportation. They'll definitely be other kids from Kilmer there.

If he's a good, but not great, student who just happens to be stronger at math and science, I'd probably just go with Marshall and expect that he'd take some IB math/science courses, but not do the full IB diploma. Schools will still see that he's taken some IB courses, and an increasing number of schools give credit for good scores on IB exams, if that matters. You wouldn't have to worry about transportation if he attends his base school, and most kids from Kilmer go to Marshall, not Madison. Marshall's also smaller than Madison, so the school arguably does a better job of looking out after all its students.

[Anonymous]

Those who attend IB schools can still register for and take AP exams.

A true IB diploma is truly a remarkable, well rounded, and internationall recognized education...while AP classes are often just cram sessions for the test. AP is about covering everything that could possibly be on the test while not really covering anything in depth. IB is about exploring the depth of the curriculum, the world views surrounding it.

I have a math/science kid and a math/writing kid. When my kids are high school age I hope to have them attend an IB school and also take a few AP exams. It seems like the best of both worlds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those who attend IB schools can still register for and take AP exams.

A true IB diploma is truly a remarkable, well rounded, and internationall recognized education...while AP classes are often just cram sessions for the test. AP is about covering everything that could possibly be on the test while not really covering anything in depth. IB is about exploring the depth of the curriculum, the world views surrounding it.

I have a math/science kid and a math/writing kid. When my kids are high school age I hope to have them attend an IB school and also take a few AP exams. It seems like the best of both worlds.

That's an ambitious agenda. If you look at the information for the Fairfax schools with the top IB programs - Marshall and Robinson - you won't find many kids also taking AP exams as well as IB exams. Maybe yours can pull it off; most parents and students make a choice.

The IB program has its strengths, but (1) kids absolutely cram for both IB and AP tests and (2) good AP teachers do far more than simply prepare their students for end-of-year tests.

[Anonymous]

NP here - similar situation as the OP but my daughter is in 7th grade at Frost AAP. She is taking Algebra this year and loves science and technology. Our base high school is Annandale (IB) and most of her friends will be heading to Woodson (AP). Closest AP school to our house is Lake Braddock.

What options should we consider for high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here - similar situation as the OP but my daughter is in 7th grade at Frost AAP. She is taking Algebra this year and loves science and technology. Our base high school is Annandale (IB) and most of her friends will be heading to Woodson (AP). Closest AP school to our house is Lake Braddock.

What options should we consider for high school?

Hope she gets into TJ, move to Woodson district, or make the best of Annandale. I would not pupil place into a school as huge as Lake Braddock if she doesn't already know plenty of kids there.

[Anonymous]

That's an ambitious agenda. If you look at the information for the Fairfax schools with the top IB programs - Marshall and Robinson - you won't find many kids also taking AP exams as well as IB exams. Maybe yours can pull it off; most parents and students make a choice.

The IB program has its strengths, but (1) kids absolutely cram for both IB and AP tests and (2) good AP teachers do far more than simply prepare their students for end-of-year tests.

One moment. Not terribly ambitious for well prepared kids. There are many kids (middle and high school) who take AP exams without even taking AP courses. This well known practise around the country is called "self-study". The PP is correct about scoring well on some of these AP tests as a cram jam. Many homeschoolers self-study for a bushel of these AP exams sans a formal AP course with outstanding results.

The strategy of doing the IB program for the depth and breadth and supplementing with strategic AP exams is one I had not even considered. Bright IB students would have no difficulty doing this. Afterall, history is history and physics is physics regardless of the petty labeling (e.g., honors, AP, IB).