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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We love the program.  Two kids pupil placed to Marshall.  IB is writing intensive.  If your student can't write now, s/he will by the end.  The underlying philosophy seems to be that writing is the way to achieve and demonstrate clarity of thinking.  It can be challenging to achieve the diploma.  [b]Many students take IB classes and don't pursue the diploma - they are not ostracized or looked down on.[/b]  Those pursuing IB are serious about their studies.  The level of course rigor is pretty high as evidenced by the success of the students on exams that are graded against students from around the world.  The relationship with teachers is very good - IB requires a lot of feedback and discussion.  The language requirement (to achieve a 5th yr facility) is a serious impediment to many students achieving the diploma.  The CAS hours are not difficult for a normal student involved in sports, scouts, church work, tutoring etc. to comply.  The EE is a big paper but given that the student chooses the topic and all IB candidates are actively interested in learning, it is not overly burdensome.  The students must be, or become, organized.  There is a lot of structure to the program but it also requires that you stay on top of assignments.  This is not a  program for a student who is not committed to academic learning and to grappling with a broad range of subjects.  That requirement to take a broad range of classes may be the biggest difference with AP.  The AP student chooses what courses to take.  The IB student is more limited in choices as the syllabus requires a broad exposure to various disciplines.  An AP student can take the same broad range but is not required to.  This appeals to some and not others - be honest about your student's interests and motivations.  The Theory of Knowledge course is an intro to epistomology - what do we know and how do we know it?  It's very interesting to see high school students grapple with this - and it forces them to present and defend ideas in a critical public forum - kind of like debates.
[b]
The program is demanding and is not appropriate for most, or even many, students.[/b]  It attempts to challenge students who are interested in a broad exposure to the world of ideas, concepts, systems and cultures.  It is not for those who don't want to write extensively.  It is not for those who wish to focus on STEM or a particular field to the exclusion of others.  The diploma candidates are a small group that are very supportive of each other, proud of their efforts, demanding of themselves and others, and have a lot of pride in their accomplishments.  The school seems to reciprocate this pride while also respecting those who participate in the Academy and who pursue the general diplomas.  I credit the Marshall administration with promoting a very inclusive, respectful and accomplished student body with great pride in each other.  We know administrators and families at Robinson who make the same claims for their IB program.

To the OP - get the names of several IB families from somewhere (the school coordinator or the PTSA) and interview them and their kids.  Make an assessment of your student's aims and objectives.  IB is what kept us in the public schools, and it is a great program for some - as TJ is for some and the Academies are for some and AP is for some.  Good luck![/quote]

If you don't spot the conflicts in this glowing report, you probably haven't had a non-diploma kid at an IB school.

The bottom line is that you should buy in an IB school district only if you know your kid will be happy doing the full IB diploma program.  Otherwise it's a sub-par experience compared to an AP school. [/quote]

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