Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

HL Math does not go beyond Calculus BC. --FCPS math teacher

It does go more in depth than calculus BC

Just stop. OP DOES NOT WANT IB.

You know very well that most STEM-oriented families in NoVa prefer AP and that many AP schools in the area offer math courses that go beyond both AP Calculus BC and HL Math.

What is a stem-oriented family? Are the kids not free to pursue other interests or a well rounded education?

Can you explain why AP is preferable, when similar IB courses are available and arguably more in depth? IB courses are writing intense, but that is a very necessary skill for college, even in STEM fields. My child who is currently aiming for a computer science major when he gets to college, struggles with writing, so I think our IB school will be great for him to build that skill. I almost feel that if I let him opt for the AP school, I’d be doing it so it would be easier for him, which is silly when the goal is a challenging education.

From what I've anecdotally read and heard, a sizable chunk of the writing in IB is mostly BS and/or filler. I've heard that kids hate having to deal with it, especially since they have lots of requirements for the diploma and little time to sleep and focus on any other interests during high school. From having to write a long essay for the diploma, to the TOK course, and to other stuff such as a writing projects in math (from what I've heard many kids coast on this one by choosing an easy math topic and lengthening it with fluff to make it seem like it's deep).

I agree that IB clearly is very focused on writing, which is a very good skill to develop early, but if any of the above things are true, I would not want my kids having to deal with all these hoops to get a diploma. They can develop as writers in different ways and/or environments, and do not necessarily need to be in IB. Also to your note about computer science, developing a strong mathematical base + programming experience and interest is much more important than anything that the IB program would specifically help with for computer science.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

HL Math does not go beyond Calculus BC. --FCPS math teacher

It does go more in depth than calculus BC

Just stop. OP DOES NOT WANT IB.

You know very well that most STEM-oriented families in NoVa prefer AP and that many AP schools in the area offer math courses that go beyond both AP Calculus BC and HL Math.

What is a stem-oriented family? Are the kids not free to pursue other interests or a well rounded education?

Can you explain why AP is preferable, when similar IB courses are available and arguably more in depth? IB courses are writing intense, but that is a very necessary skill for college, even in STEM fields. My child who is currently aiming for a computer science major when he gets to college, struggles with writing, so I think our IB school will be great for him to build that skill. I almost feel that if I let him opt for the AP school, I’d be doing it so it would be easier for him, which is silly when the goal is a challenging education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

HL Math does not go beyond Calculus BC. --FCPS math teacher

It does go more in depth than calculus BC

Just stop. OP DOES NOT WANT IB.

You know very well that most STEM-oriented families in NoVa prefer AP and that many AP schools in the area offer math courses that go beyond both AP Calculus BC and HL Math.

Why do they prefer AP for STEM?

We've been at both AP and IB schools and greatly preferred the environment at the AP school. There was much less of a divide than there was at the IB school, where there were the IB diploma candidates and everyone else. There was also no shortage of research and writing-intensive courses at the AP school. My advice to the OP is that she follow her instincts and look for a house zoned for an AP school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

It's an epistemology course--a core, central construct of philosophy. It's a solid course and only BS if you don't understand the concepts. IB students also do an extended essay--writing a 4000 word research paper with peer-reviewed sources on the topic of their choice. It's a great base for what you actually do in college. They also write research papers for each of their topics outside of the course--like for a math class they have to choose a real world problem and apply mathematical concepts to it and create a report often working over the summer to finish these "extras." So IB in general is far more writing and research intensive than IB--perhaps painful though for those who don't like to write.

*Meant than AP there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

It's an epistemology course--a core, central construct of philosophy. It's a solid course and only BS if you don't understand the concepts. IB students also do an extended essay--writing a 4000 word research paper with peer-reviewed sources on the topic of their choice. It's a great base for what you actually do in college. They also write research papers for each of their topics outside of the course--like for a math class they have to choose a real world problem and apply mathematical concepts to it and create a report often working over the summer to finish these "extras." So IB in general is far more writing and research intensive than IB--perhaps painful though for those who don't like to write.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

HL Math does not go beyond Calculus BC. --FCPS math teacher

It does go more in depth than calculus BC

Just stop. OP DOES NOT WANT IB.

You know very well that most STEM-oriented families in NoVa prefer AP and that many AP schools in the area offer math courses that go beyond both AP Calculus BC and HL Math.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

HL Math does not go beyond Calculus BC. --FCPS math teacher

It does go more in depth than calculus BC

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

HL Math does not go beyond Calculus BC. --FCPS math teacher

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

My senior is solidly obsessed with math and science, and in an IB school.
At graduation, he will have completed 2 years of biology, 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. In addition, he will also complete HL math, which goes beyond AP BC calc. The writing in science in math is really not as dramatic as people make it sound. He completed one paper for math, and outside of the paper that goes with the science fair project, I think he will only complete one paper in each science course as well. He took two undergraduate classes at a well regarded college this past summer, and the professor was impressed with his ability to write a thorough lab report. Most of the kids in his class had never written one before. In all honesty, he was a pretty terrible writer his freshman year, and I have to credit the IB program with his progress.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

I heard that IB isn't really recommended for those really into math and science, as much of the program focuses on a lot of writing and is time consuming from that point of view, but not really different and/or special in math and science.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Sure, and there are also others who love the ToK class. Like many classes, much depends upon the teacher.

More broadly with respect to IB, we knew kids who thought it was great college prep, and others who were forced by their parents to do the full IB program, thought many of the required essays were busy work, and were bitter about not having much free time in high school. Another thing to keep in mind that being on the IB diploma track won't compensate for so-so grades or SAT/ACT scores.

Anonymous wrote:Other than the theory of knowledge course which is unique, why is IB desirable if kids in general are not well rounded enough to get an IB diploma?

I've always wondered what is so special about this class, other than the lofty sounding name? People I talked to in the program all hated this class and how much BS and a waste of time they thought it was. I hope this is not fully true and there is more to IB classes than forcibly having to produce essays about fluff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Or, as a UVA admissions officer once reportedly said in a moment of candor: "If you are at an IB school and you are not going for the IB diploma, don’t waste your time applying to UVa. or any other top-rated schools. Your child’s application will go to the bottom of the admissions pile."

This was literally never said.

So it was just a paraphrase? The statement certainly has been reported.

The attitude is changing now that IB is a more established program. Colleges are starting to equate a la carte IB with AP. The issue really isn't IB in general, it's the way FCPS implemented its IB program in low performing schools.

People may be more careful with their remarks. Whether attitudes have changed is a different question.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Or, as a UVA admissions officer once reportedly said in a moment of candor: "If you are at an IB school and you are not going for the IB diploma, don’t waste your time applying to UVa. or any other top-rated schools. Your child’s application will go to the bottom of the admissions pile."

This was literally never said.

So it was just a paraphrase? The statement certainly has been reported.

The attitude is changing now that IB is a more established program. Colleges are starting to equate a la carte IB with AP. The issue really isn't IB in general, it's the way FCPS implemented its IB program in low performing schools.