IB programs in county

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).

Sorry, my error. 3 HL, 3 SL for a total of 6 IB courses required for the IB Diploma (plus they have IB exams).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We looked into the Einstein IB program. Here is the information the principal sent to me:
9th grade: MCPSIB English 9, foreign Language 1 (or higher, my kid was already in a level 3 language), AP NSL, Honors Bio (would not allow AP Bio), Honors Pre-Calc or IB math (but the IB math was too low for my kid. It was a blend of Geo and Alg), PE, tech credit.
10th grade: MCPSIB English 10, foreign language, APUSH, AP Chem, Fine Arts Elective, Health, IB Math or AP Calc.
11th: IB English Lit 1, IB foreign Language, IB History of the Americas, IB Physics, TOK1/Extended Essay (this is part of the IB Diploma Programme), IB Math or AP Stats
12th: IB English Lit II HL (Higher Level), IB foreign language, IB History of the Americas II HL, IB Science or AP Physics, TOK II (part of IB Diploma Programme), IB math

Here is where the issue came in (and we ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit):
1. My kid played in advanced band/orchestra/jazz band. Einstein is known for having a strong music program, but these courses did not fit into the IB Programme schedule after 10th grade, even if my kid took Health and Tech Credit in summer school (which he did).
2. His foreign language choice wasn't offered and he wanted to continue through AP and beyond with his language choice.
3. There is no IB World History at Einstein. They only offer IB History of the Americas because it appeals to the largest segment of the student body.
4. My kid couldn't earn the Diploma because he was already beyond the math levels covered in IB (even the HL level). He would be able to substitute with AP, but then you can't earn the diploma. Also: Einstein doesn't have a lot of kids taking Differential Equations so it isn't always offered. My kid hoped to take it.

Finally, people say Richard Montgomery is the best IB program for a lot of reasons. I have a close friend who was in the first class to graduate from that program, back in the early '90s. He went on to two Ivies, if that matters to you. I think that is a good sign. Some of the teachers who were part of the inception of the program are still at RM. Also, the kids are in a cohort, almost like an "honors" cohort because the test in to the program. Einstein and Kennedy allow any kid to take IB classes a la carte and they are not in a cohort. This is great if you have a bunch of kids who take a mix of AP and IB to best challenge themselves; not so good if the teachers can't move at the same pace/go in depth because of students who are struggling. At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).

I believe Einstein lets the all kids take IB classes but Kennedy has been test-in for a few years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We looked into the Einstein IB program. Here is the information the principal sent to me:
9th grade: MCPSIB English 9, foreign Language 1 (or higher, my kid was already in a level 3 language), AP NSL, Honors Bio (would not allow AP Bio), Honors Pre-Calc or IB math (but the IB math was too low for my kid. It was a blend of Geo and Alg), PE, tech credit.
10th grade: MCPSIB English 10, foreign language, APUSH, AP Chem, Fine Arts Elective, Health, IB Math or AP Calc.
11th: IB English Lit 1, IB foreign Language, IB History of the Americas, IB Physics, TOK1/Extended Essay (this is part of the IB Diploma Programme), IB Math or AP Stats
12th: IB English Lit II HL (Higher Level), IB foreign language, IB History of the Americas II HL, IB Science or AP Physics, TOK II (part of IB Diploma Programme), IB math

Here is where the issue came in (and we ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit):
1. My kid played in advanced band/orchestra/jazz band. Einstein is known for having a strong music program, but these courses did not fit into the IB Programme schedule after 10th grade, even if my kid took Health and Tech Credit in summer school (which he did).
2. His foreign language choice wasn't offered and he wanted to continue through AP and beyond with his language choice.
3. There is no IB World History at Einstein. They only offer IB History of the Americas because it appeals to the largest segment of the student body.
4. My kid couldn't earn the Diploma because he was already beyond the math levels covered in IB (even the HL level). He would be able to substitute with AP, but then you can't earn the diploma. Also: Einstein doesn't have a lot of kids taking Differential Equations so it isn't always offered. My kid hoped to take it.

Finally, people say Richard Montgomery is the best IB program for a lot of reasons. I have a close friend who was in the first class to graduate from that program, back in the early '90s. He went on to two Ivies, if that matters to you. I think that is a good sign. Some of the teachers who were part of the inception of the program are still at RM. Also, the kids are in a cohort, almost like an "honors" cohort because the test in to the program. Einstein and Kennedy allow any kid to take IB classes a la carte and they are not in a cohort. This is great if you have a bunch of kids who take a mix of AP and IB to best challenge themselves; not so good if the teachers can't move at the same pace/go in depth because of students who are struggling. At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).

I guess it depends on your goal. If it's important that the IB students are together through the 4 years, then RMIB is the way to go.. If you primarily care about the IBDP, then it shouldn't really matter. An IBDP is an IBDP.

[Anonymous]

As far as I know, for ALL high schools in MCPS with the IB Diploma Programme:

1. ALL students at that high school are eligible to choose to do the IB Diploma Programme
2. ALL students at that high school are eligible to take IB classes "a la carte" without doing the IB Diploma Programme

If students accepted into the IB magnets at Kennedy, Springbrook, Watkins Mill, or RM are taking classes together as a cohort in 9th and 10th grade, that's a function of the magnet program, not of IB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Definitely true though- the IB Diploma is more valuable than just taking individual IB or AP classes. The downside is that it really limits the student's ability to take multiple electives that are of interest to them.

Yes, that is why we opted against it. IB does require a capstone project and TOK (theory of knowledge) that teaches kids how to think critically through a lens of science, indigenous knowledge, religion, and so forth. There is an extended essay so if your child likes writing and research, this may be a good option. There is a volunteer requirement (separate from SSL; hours cannot be combined) and a lot of group/collaborative work, if your kid likes that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is: does IB offer an advantage in college admissions compared to AP? Are they recognized equally? I thought IB was more work for the same amount of recognition?

IB kids take AP level classes, it’s not one or the other. If not, the classes generally prepare them for the AP tests. You don’t need to take AP classes to take the exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We looked into the Einstein IB program. Here is the information the principal sent to me:
9th grade: MCPSIB English 9, foreign Language 1 (or higher, my kid was already in a level 3 language), AP NSL, Honors Bio (would not allow AP Bio), Honors Pre-Calc or IB math (but the IB math was too low for my kid. It was a blend of Geo and Alg), PE, tech credit.
10th grade: MCPSIB English 10, foreign language, APUSH, AP Chem, Fine Arts Elective, Health, IB Math or AP Calc.
11th: IB English Lit 1, IB foreign Language, IB History of the Americas, IB Physics, TOK1/Extended Essay (this is part of the IB Diploma Programme), IB Math or AP Stats
12th: IB English Lit II HL (Higher Level), IB foreign language, IB History of the Americas II HL, IB Science or AP Physics, TOK II (part of IB Diploma Programme), IB math

Here is where the issue came in (and we ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit):
1. My kid played in advanced band/orchestra/jazz band. Einstein is known for having a strong music program, but these courses did not fit into the IB Programme schedule after 10th grade, even if my kid took Health and Tech Credit in summer school (which he did).
2. His foreign language choice wasn't offered and he wanted to continue through AP and beyond with his language choice.
3. There is no IB World History at Einstein. They only offer IB History of the Americas because it appeals to the largest segment of the student body.
4. My kid couldn't earn the Diploma because he was already beyond the math levels covered in IB (even the HL level). He would be able to substitute with AP, but then you can't earn the diploma. Also: Einstein doesn't have a lot of kids taking Differential Equations so it isn't always offered. My kid hoped to take it.

Finally, people say Richard Montgomery is the best IB program for a lot of reasons. I have a close friend who was in the first class to graduate from that program, back in the early '90s. He went on to two Ivies, if that matters to you. I think that is a good sign. Some of the teachers who were part of the inception of the program are still at RM. Also, the kids are in a cohort, almost like an "honors" cohort because the test in to the program. Einstein and Kennedy allow any kid to take IB classes a la carte and they are not in a cohort. This is great if you have a bunch of kids who take a mix of AP and IB to best challenge themselves; not so good if the teachers can't move at the same pace/go in depth because of students who are struggling. At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).

I don't know about Einstein, but they definitely do move as a cohort. Kids are "invited" to be part of the MYP IB program, and that resulted in his schedule getting adjusted so that he took classes with the cohort sections of required classes.

I assume this carries on through 11th and 12 years, but yes, you're right that in the 11th and 12th grade years, non-magnet kids can sign up and join those classes if they choose to. But the cohort model is definitely in place at Kennedy. Although I think there are enough kids in the program that we have 2 cohorts at Kennedy. I say this because my son saw shifts in classmates with the semester switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We looked into the Einstein IB program. Here is the information the principal sent to me:
9th grade: MCPSIB English 9, foreign Language 1 (or higher, my kid was already in a level 3 language), AP NSL, Honors Bio (would not allow AP Bio), Honors Pre-Calc or IB math (but the IB math was too low for my kid. It was a blend of Geo and Alg), PE, tech credit.
10th grade: MCPSIB English 10, foreign language, APUSH, AP Chem, Fine Arts Elective, Health, IB Math or AP Calc.
11th: IB English Lit 1, IB foreign Language, IB History of the Americas, IB Physics, TOK1/Extended Essay (this is part of the IB Diploma Programme), IB Math or AP Stats
12th: IB English Lit II HL (Higher Level), IB foreign language, IB History of the Americas II HL, IB Science or AP Physics, TOK II (part of IB Diploma Programme), IB math

Here is where the issue came in (and we ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit):
1. My kid played in advanced band/orchestra/jazz band. Einstein is known for having a strong music program, but these courses did not fit into the IB Programme schedule after 10th grade, even if my kid took Health and Tech Credit in summer school (which he did).
2. His foreign language choice wasn't offered and he wanted to continue through AP and beyond with his language choice.
3. There is no IB World History at Einstein. They only offer IB History of the Americas because it appeals to the largest segment of the student body.
4. My kid couldn't earn the Diploma because he was already beyond the math levels covered in IB (even the HL level). He would be able to substitute with AP, but then you can't earn the diploma. Also: Einstein doesn't have a lot of kids taking Differential Equations so it isn't always offered. My kid hoped to take it.

Finally, people say Richard Montgomery is the best IB program for a lot of reasons. I have a close friend who was in the first class to graduate from that program, back in the early '90s. He went on to two Ivies, if that matters to you. I think that is a good sign. Some of the teachers who were part of the inception of the program are still at RM. Also, the kids are in a cohort, almost like an "honors" cohort because the test in to the program. Einstein and Kennedy allow any kid to take IB classes a la carte and they are not in a cohort. This is great if you have a bunch of kids who take a mix of AP and IB to best challenge themselves; not so good if the teachers can't move at the same pace/go in depth because of students who are struggling. At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).

I believe Einstein lets the all kids take IB classes but Kennedy has been test-in for a few years?

Not test in, but you have to meet a specific GPA and be recommended or selected by a teacher to be part of the MYP IB program at Kennedy. That was the case for my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We looked into the Einstein IB program. Here is the information the principal sent to me:
9th grade: MCPSIB English 9, foreign Language 1 (or higher, my kid was already in a level 3 language), AP NSL, Honors Bio (would not allow AP Bio), Honors Pre-Calc or IB math (but the IB math was too low for my kid. It was a blend of Geo and Alg), PE, tech credit.
10th grade: MCPSIB English 10, foreign language, APUSH, AP Chem, Fine Arts Elective, Health, IB Math or AP Calc.
11th: IB English Lit 1, IB foreign Language, IB History of the Americas, IB Physics, TOK1/Extended Essay (this is part of the IB Diploma Programme), IB Math or AP Stats
12th: IB English Lit II HL (Higher Level), IB foreign language, IB History of the Americas II HL, IB Science or AP Physics, TOK II (part of IB Diploma Programme), IB math

Here is where the issue came in (and we ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit):
1. My kid played in advanced band/orchestra/jazz band. Einstein is known for having a strong music program, but these courses did not fit into the IB Programme schedule after 10th grade, even if my kid took Health and Tech Credit in summer school (which he did).
2. His foreign language choice wasn't offered and he wanted to continue through AP and beyond with his language choice.
3. There is no IB World History at Einstein. They only offer IB History of the Americas because it appeals to the largest segment of the student body.
4. My kid couldn't earn the Diploma because he was already beyond the math levels covered in IB (even the HL level). He would be able to substitute with AP, but then you can't earn the diploma. Also: Einstein doesn't have a lot of kids taking Differential Equations so it isn't always offered. My kid hoped to take it.

Finally, people say Richard Montgomery is the best IB program for a lot of reasons. I have a close friend who was in the first class to graduate from that program, back in the early '90s. He went on to two Ivies, if that matters to you. I think that is a good sign. Some of the teachers who were part of the inception of the program are still at RM. Also, the kids are in a cohort, almost like an "honors" cohort because the test in to the program. Einstein and Kennedy allow any kid to take IB classes a la carte and they are not in a cohort. This is great if you have a bunch of kids who take a mix of AP and IB to best challenge themselves; not so good if the teachers can't move at the same pace/go in depth because of students who are struggling. At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).

I believe Einstein lets the all kids take IB classes but Kennedy has been test-in for a few years?

Not test in, but you have to meet a specific GPA and be recommended or selected by a teacher to be part of the MYP IB program at Kennedy. That was the case for my kid.

Correction. I think you're right. There is a test-in option OR you can be selected and invited to the program based on your grades and teacher recommendation. The latter is how my kid got into the MYP IB program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the question is: does IB offer an advantage in college admissions compared to AP? Are they recognized equally? I thought IB was more work for the same amount of recognition?

IB kids take AP level classes, it’s not one or the other. If not, the classes generally prepare them for the AP tests. You don’t need to take AP classes to take the exams.

IB kids do take some AP classes in years 9 and 10, but at the 11th and 12th level you either take the IB version of a class or the AP version. So you can do IB Chem SL/HL or AP Chem. But if you choose to do AP Chem instead of IB Chem, you'd need to take another IB-level science class to fulfill the science requirement for the IB Diploma.

[Anonymous]

How many of the 500 people per grade at schools like BCC are in AP/Honors level classes?

[Anonymous]

OP, as you can see from everyone's responses the IB program in MoCo is confusing and not exactly the same at every school. I would say the main benefit to doing IB at Richard Montgomery is that they offer the most HL IB classes and have always had the highest passing rate on the diploma. BCC historically has the next highest number of kids working toward a diploma in the county. The regional IB programs are very new, I don't know how large or if any kids from those regional magnets have actually graduated yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, as you can see from everyone's responses the IB program in MoCo is confusing and not exactly the same at every school. I would say the main benefit to doing IB at Richard Montgomery is that they offer the most HL IB classes and have always had the highest passing rate on the diploma. BCC historically has the next highest number of kids working toward a diploma in the county. The regional IB programs are very new, I don't know how large or if any kids from those regional magnets have actually graduated yet.

That's actually a great question. Someone said the regional IB program at Kennedy was relatively new, but I couldn't find any exact date when it was added through online searches.

Do you know when it was added? Based on the schools they added it to, it's clear they were added to help attract more affluent and academically achieving kids to the schools, but if they're not actually turning out a decent number of IB Diploma graduates, then it might be a lost cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as you can see from everyone's responses the IB program in MoCo is confusing and not exactly the same at every school. I would say the main benefit to doing IB at Richard Montgomery is that they offer the most HL IB classes and have always had the highest passing rate on the diploma. BCC historically has the next highest number of kids working toward a diploma in the county. The regional IB programs are very new, I don't know how large or if any kids from those regional magnets have actually graduated yet.

That's actually a great question. Someone said the regional IB program at Kennedy was relatively new, but I couldn't find any exact date when it was added through online searches.

Do you know when it was added? Based on the schools they added it to, it's clear they were added to help attract more affluent and academically achieving kids to the schools, but if they're not actually turning out a decent number of IB Diploma graduates, then it might be a lost cause.

I think the first tranche of test-in IB students are all juniors now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as you can see from everyone's responses the IB program in MoCo is confusing and not exactly the same at every school. I would say the main benefit to doing IB at Richard Montgomery is that they offer the most HL IB classes and have always had the highest passing rate on the diploma. BCC historically has the next highest number of kids working toward a diploma in the county. The regional IB programs are very new, I don't know how large or if any kids from those regional magnets have actually graduated yet.

That's actually a great question. Someone said the regional IB program at Kennedy was relatively new, but I couldn't find any exact date when it was added through online searches.

Do you know when it was added? Based on the schools they added it to, it's clear they were added to help attract more affluent and academically achieving kids to the schools, but if they're not actually turning out a decent number of IB Diploma graduates, then it might be a lost cause.

I think the first tranche of test-in IB students are all juniors now

So about 3 years ago. Right before the pandemic.

Interesting!!