Reply to If AP is more popular/better/more flexible, why does FCPS put IB in all the lower-ranked schools?

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Reply to "If AP is more popular/better/more flexible, why does FCPS put IB in all the lower-ranked schools?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]
The cost for IB is not comprised only of IB Diploma candidates. [/quote]

But, those who do not get IB diplomas would be better suited to AP.  The expense is ridiculous.
   
[/quote]

I'm PP who has a rising 9th grader considering transferring to an IB HS, reading this thread with interest.  She prefers the IB ideology/framework/focus more so than AP, however, she has no idea whether she would end up pursuing a full diploma - it's a lot of work, as previously mentioned - and it's hard to know how she will handle it until she gets a little older and starts taking the courses.  We've considered whether it's worth the transfer if she doesn't pursue the diploma, so I'm curious why you would make the statement that if you don't go for the full diploma, you should go for AP.  I know that you are more likely to get college credit with AP then IB (incidentally, I understand that anyone can take the AP exams - no need to take the course first - so I suspect if she wanted to ensure credit, she could sit for the exam).  [/quote]

DP, but if you look at the information published by FCPS, they focus on the IB diploma candidates and recipients, and not those at IB schools who just take a few IB courses or receive some type of certificate.  At AP schools, there is no similar dichotomy, and the College Board recognizes multiple levels of achievement in AP courses, depending on the number of AP courses taken, test scores received, etc.   I think many parents perceive with some justification that, if you do not pursue an IB diploma at an IB school, you end up lumped into a "second-class citizen" bucket, both by the schools you are attending and the colleges and universities to which you apply.

I guess your DD has to decide soon, but if you were to attend a graduation ceremony at an IB high school, you might be surprised by the amount of attention that the IB diploma candidates receive compared to the other students. [/quote]

This may vary by school. I have worked at an IB school for many years. At graduation the diploma candidates stand and we clap, but it isn't the focus of the ceremony or a huge amount of attention.  IB is a great program for some but I purposely choose a house where my own children will attend an AP school. Personal preference. [/quote]

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