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[quote=Anonymous]IB is not the pinnacle of learning how to write. It can be effectively done in AP classes in STEM, humanities and Capstone, arguably better because it’s more varied in style and emphasizes structure.

The features that truly set IB apart are mostly negatives: the inflexible 6 course package deal, poor alignment with high school and college classes, weak curriculum, limited college credit, busywork CAS, faux academic classes like ToK etc.

For some bizarre reason when these shortcomings are pointed out the IB cheerleaders come out of the woodwork bringing up the IBO marketing points of “college was easy by comparison to high school”, lol seriously? Pick a different major or college. Or demonstrably false statements like “big bump for ivy admissions” or “it’s the most rigorous college preparation” etc.

In short it’s an ok program with a lot of hype surrounding it. It’s roughly equivalent to taking 4-5 AP classes. For the vast majority of students AP or DE is a better fit. For the very top students it makes more sense to load up on advanced coursework. At the low end DE is a better fit because of guaranteed transfer credit that’s easier to get. So IB is fine for the middle of the pack student that hasn’t found a strong interest yet and wants a more rounded education.

There’s a caveat related to magnets, because often the aforementioned IB cheerleaders conflate the experience at RMIB with the rigor at the generic IB high school. Even in this thread they deceptively list classes like AP Calculus BC (hilarious!) and “IB Multivariable” as examples of IB classes. If you’re one of the kids that got into RMIB, it’s probably worth it. Among magnets the perception is that Blair is better likely because of some of the above considerations.[/quote]

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