Middle School IB Program - is it beneficial for continuation into HS IB Diploma?

[Anonymous]

We are planning for middle school and are interested to have DD undertake IB Diploma at WL later. Is there any benefit in going through middle school IB, like TJMS? Does this path prepare the student for IB Diploma in any way?

[Anonymous]

Do you have to be zoned for TJ to do the IB program there or can anyone in the county apply for MS IB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to be zoned for TJ to do the IB program there or can anyone in the county apply for MS IB?

You can apply for a transfer to TJ for the IB curriculum. But, there are a limited # of seats available due to capacity - just like for transferring into WL for the HS IB program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are planning for middle school and are interested to have DD undertake IB Diploma at WL later. Is there any benefit in going through middle school IB, like TJMS? Does this path prepare the student for IB Diploma in any way?

I don't have experience with the high school part of the IB program; but my kids did go through TJ's program. It is not necessary, and I don't think it provides any benefit to taking IB classes as a junior or senior. Arlington's IB program is not quite the actual IB program because our grades are not divided up like a typical IB curriculum. There is no IB in 9th or 10th, except for some class (I think) you have to take in order to take the IB program in 11 and 12. Most students at WL taking IB classes do not do the program full-time. Not that many actually receive an IB diploma.

[Anonymous]

I think the only advantage would be that TJ offers a wider range of world languages, which can then be continued into HS.

[Anonymous]

I think the only advantage would be that TJ offers a wider range of world languages, which can then be continued into HS.

Another advantage is that TJ is using the IB terminology daily and has students thinking more reflectively about their studies. This will help students when they enter an IB high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think the only advantage would be that TJ offers a wider range of world languages, which can then be continued into HS.

Another advantage is that TJ is using the IB terminology daily and has students thinking more reflectively about their studies. This will help students when they enter an IB high school.

As a TJ parent, the IB terminology and reflections are annoying concocted aspects applied to a traditional curriculum. MAYBE there will be more to this when TJ ditches the traditional grading system. But so far, I don't think this introduction to IB terminology in middle school is any advantage, definitely not essential, to completing the 11th-12th IB program.

[Anonymous]

I don't have experience with the high school part of the IB program; but my kids did go through TJ's program. It is not necessary, and I don't think it provides any benefit to taking IB classes as a junior or senior. Arlington's IB program is not quite the actual IB program because our grades are not divided up like a typical IB curriculum. There is no IB in 9th or 10th, except for some class (I think) you have to take in order to take the IB program in 11 and 12. Most students at WL taking IB classes do not do the program full-time. Not that many actually receive an IB diploma.

If there is no IB in 9th or 10th grade at WL, what do students who intend to pursue the IB Diploma do in the meantime? What course are they really taking before 11th and 12th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't have experience with the high school part of the IB program; but my kids did go through TJ's program. It is not necessary, and I don't think it provides any benefit to taking IB classes as a junior or senior. Arlington's IB program is not quite the actual IB program because our grades are not divided up like a typical IB curriculum. There is no IB in 9th or 10th, except for some class (I think) you have to take in order to take the IB program in 11 and 12. Most students at WL taking IB classes do not do the program full-time. Not that many actually receive an IB diploma.

If there is no IB in 9th or 10th grade at WL, what do students who intend to pursue the IB Diploma do in the meantime? What course are they really taking before 11th and 12th?


If there is no IB in 9th or 10th grade at WL, what do students who intend to pursue the IB Diploma do in the meantime? What course are they really taking before 11th and 12th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If there is no IB in 9th or 10th grade at WL, what do students who intend to pursue the IB Diploma do in the meantime? What course are they really taking before 11th and 12th?

They take the same classes as other top students, generally full load of Intensified classes, continue world language, take AP Gov in 10th because that's a state requirement and there's no room for it in the IB years. Many take AP World History in 9th.