IB Diploma Programme (DP)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, for juniors and seniors, leading to examinations, for students aged between sixteen and nineteen. Based on the pattern of no single country, it is a deliberate compromise between the specialization required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. The general objectives of the IB are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience. In the thirty years since its founding, the IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world.

The IB curriculum at Douglas County High School consists of six subject groups:

• LANGUAGE A - (English) including the study of selections from World Literature
• LANGUAGE B - (second language) French and Spanish
• INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY - European History, Psychology and Philosophy
• EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES - Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Systems & Societies
• MATHEMATICS - Math Studies, Math Methods, and High Level Mathematics
• SIXTH SUBJECT - Music, Art, Theater, Business Management, Computer Technology or chose from Group 3 or 4

All IB Diploma candidates are required to take one subject from each of the groups. At least three and not more than four of the six subjects are taken at the Higher Level, the others at Standard Level. Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The awarding of the diploma requires a minimum of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of three additional requirements:

The Extended Essay of 4,000 words, which provides the experience of the independent research paper;

A course entitled Theory of Knowledge (TOK), which analyzes the knowledge acquired within and beyond the classroom; and

Participation in a weekly commitment of creativity, activity and service oriented experiences (CAS).

Bonus points may be awarded for an exceptional essay or performance on Theory of Knowledge.

Students successfully completing the IB program will receive two diplomas: one from the IB and one from Douglas County High School.

Douglas County High School also provides the completion of the Middle Years program for grades 9-10.

Approximately 75-80% of Diploma candidates earn the Diploma. The student who does not satisfy the requirements of the full program is awarded certificates for examinations completed. Only schools officially approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) are authorized to offer the curriculum and to have students take examinations. More than 4,000 schools so far have chosen to teach International Baccalaureate® (IB) programs, with their unique academic rigor and their emphasis on students' personal development. Those schools employ over 70,000 educators, teaching more than one million students worldwide.

The International Baccalaureate is based in Geneva, Switzerland, with administrative offices in London, New York, Buenos Aires, and Singapore. The Examinations Office, located in Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom, oversees two examination sessions per year. The May session serves the large majority of candidates; schools in the Southern Hemisphere subscribe to a smaller November session. Approximately 2000 individual examiners worldwide participate in assessment of student work. Visit the IB website to learn more

What is an IB Education?

The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Risk-takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

•  
• 4-Year IB Diploma Plan Worksheet
• IB Brochure - DCHS (revised 2017)
• IB Curriculum Guide 2021-22 updated
• IB Curriculum Overview (Beneficial for 9th/10th)
• IB Program Presentation Overview
• Impact of the Diploma Program
• Impact of the Diploma Program Core
• Introduction to TOK, CAS & EE for Parents/Students (2019)
• Why choose the IB Program at DCHS
•  

IB Diploma Program Student Interest Form 2025-26

Current 8th grade, 9th grade and 10th grade students who enjoy learning and an educational challenge are invited to apply.

Call 303-387-1008 to address questions concerning this program.

Any 8th, 9th or 10th grade student may download IB DP Student Interest Form (linked above) and submit it to the DCHS IB office for consideration. (If you are currently in the IB program you do NOT need to submit another interest form to continue).

MESA MS students and DCHS students , please fill out the on-line Student Interest Form ONLY

Please see the links to complete your registration.

The following forms are required if you live outside our attendance area!

Proof of Residence-Warranty Deed, Deed of Trust, Lease Agreement, or if living with someone, a notarized letter from your landlord along with one of the above forms.

Birth Certificate-In earlier years, DCSD did not require birth certificates, state law has changed, and we now need a copy of your students birth certificate on file.

Online Open Enrollment submission(if DCHS is not your feeder High School)-Complete your Open Enrollment Application online, You will not receive a confirmation email. Contact the IB Office at 303-387-1008 to verify that your application for Open Enrollment went through.

Student Census Registration form-This form is required so that we can verify your information and required by the District.

Auth. for Release of Student Info form-This form is required by our Registrar so that records from your previous school can be forwarded to DCHS. The grade request on the IB Student Interest Form is only for the IB Dept.

To: IB Students and Legal Guardians:

What a rewarding decision you have made to be a part in the excitement and challenge of the IB Diploma Program at DCHS. I applaud your decision and look forward to our next two years being a successful, educational life-enhancing time of your life. The team of IB Diploma Program teachers and I are here to make this a great memory and worthwhile endeavor for all participants.

I am providing for you a document from IBO, International Baccalaureate Organization, (see link to left) that requires signatures by the student (candidate), the legal guardian, and me, the IB Coordinator. Please read the document and keep it handy for reference during these two years of the Diploma Program as you proceed to the receipt of your IB Diploma.

I do request that the signature page be completed and returned by October 19th before any registration for exams can be accepted. It can be turned in to me or dropped off in the IB office Room #31.

As you will see, it is not a requirement proposed by DCHS alone, it is in response to what IBO must have on record.

Thank you again for your interest and acceptance of this IB opportunity.

I am here as your liaison between IB at DCHS and IBO. Please feel free to contact me when a question arises.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Fleet, Ph.D., IB Coordinator, DCHS

General Regulations      General Regulations Signature Page

Deadlines

• First deadline is November 15. 
• Second late registration deadline is January 15. 
• There is an addition fee during the late registration period +$38. 
• There is an addition fee during the last late registration period +$150. 
• Last late registration deadline is April 1. After April 1  is no changes and registrations.

Exam Fees May 2023	IBDP Seniors & Juniors	IB Scholar's Program *If students want the IB to assess it
Subject fee	$119/subject	$119/subject
EE	No charge	*$91
TOK	No charge	*$46
CAS	No charge	*$10

 

Conduct of Examinations          Exam Calendar

We want all of our IB students to be successful, and sometimes worrying about being able to afford exams can be stressful, so if there comes a time when you feel that the IB program would cost too much to participate in, please call me and we can talk about the situation, come up with a plan, and help.

If you are in a financial situation, as many people are these days, please don't hesitate to complete the Family Economic Data Survey. Once this application has been accepted, your student along with free or reduced lunches, will be eligible to receive funds towards their AP and/or IB Exams.

Confidentiality is very high on our list at Douglas County High School, so once I have been notified by you regarding eligibility and acceptance, no one else will have access to your information. Names of eligible students are not sent to CDE for the ESCAPE Grant. The only information is what tests are being given, how many students will be taking the tests, and how many low income students are signed up to take the tests. Nor does the IBPO receive names of students who require scholarships for workshops they sponsor.

Nutrition Services

Free and Reduced Lunches

What You Need to Know About Free and Reduced Price Meals

• The National School Lunch Program, as administered by Douglas County Schools Nutrition Service department, provides free and reduced price meals for students who fall within the eligibility guidelines.
• The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires the use of one application per family. To apply for free or reduced price meals, an application must be filled out and returned to the school or the district Nutrition Service office. If you have children in more than one school, complete and submit only one application.
• Free and Reduced Price lunch applications are available at all schools in the main office. Applications can no longer be printed from the website. Only original applications will be accepted for processing.
• Important: A new application must be filled out at the beginning of each school year in order for meal benefits to continue.

For those of you who do not participate in the Free and Reduced Lunches program, There are ESCAPE forms that will need to be completed to receive scholarship funds from CDE. Please contact me in the IB Office to receive these forms.

The Colorado legislature recently passed HB1108. The bill is a measure guaranteeing a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit for all IB Diploma graduates who elect to attend a state college/university in Colorado and do not have a score of less than 4 on an IB exam. The schools in Colorado want to keep the IB students in sthe state because they are top quality candidates. This is a huge incentive for attending college in state.

The IB Association of Rocky Mountain Schools (IB ARMS) is the group responsible for initiating this bill. It is one of the largest sub-regional IB groups in the United States. The IB coordinators from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming who presently make up the IB ARMS group, work together on initiatives such as the one that just passed. Obtaining recognition for the level and quality of work that IB students do is a major goal of the group.

Recognition of IB diploma for admission to universities and colleges (www.ibo.org)

United States

There is no national ministry or centralized bureaucracy in the United States that controls university admission or placement. Instead, each college or university is responsible for setting its own policies.

For a quick overview, there are recognition policy summary charts of how some universities in the U.S. recognize the IB diploma. These are available for download as a PDF document. Or you can check out the Good News newsletter at

http://www.unco.edu/regrec/Current%20Students/Transfer/AP.html#IB

A student interested in post-secondary study in the USA must make direct contact with the college or university he or she would like to attend. One good way to begin is to use this web site. As you examine the IB recognition policies of American colleges and universities, make special note of those institutions that interest you. Using the links available in each policy, explore the college's web site to find information on exactly what the college requires. It is your responsibility to meet all the requirements and deadlines of the specific college or university.

In general terms, American colleges and universities require you to submit a written application for admission. You will be required to provide atranscript with your secondary school grades.

In addition, you will need to have taken either the Scholastic Aptitude Test or the American College Test. Students whose first language is other than English are often required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Advanced Placement and IB exams, while not mandatory, will increase a students chance for securing admission to selective universities.

Other web sites may be helpful in answering general and specific questions about the college admissions process in the U.S.A. Consult The National Association of College Admissions Counseling; The College Board and the Higher Education Directory and the Higher Education Resource Center of the web site for the Council of International Schools. For information on financial aid, a good place to begin is FastWeb.

University Scholarships for IB Diploma Holders

CLASS	CREDIT	WEIGHTED
English HL	2	2
Chinese SL	2	1
French SL	2	1
Spanish SL	2	1
History HL	2	2
Philosophy SL	1	1
Philosophy HL	1	2
Psychology SL	1	1
Psychology HL	1	2
Biology HL	2	2
Chemistry SL	1	1
Physics SL	1	1
Mathematics SL	2	1
Math Studies SL	2	1
Mathematics HL	2	2
Dance HL	2	2
Music SL	1*	1*
Music HL	1*	2*
Theater HL	2	2
Visual Arts HL	2	2
TOK	1	1

* May not be offered every year

All SL classes will receive 1 year of weighted credit.
All HL classes will receive 2 years of weighted credit.

1. What is the difference between IB and Honors/AP?

IB is a comprehensive worldwide curriculum culminating in exams. It is a rigorous, international program designed for the college bound student. Advanced Placement is a series of American examinations in specific subject areas. Both IB and AP programs offer advanced placement in college. All District high schools will continue to offer Honors/AP classes.

2. What does it cost to be in the IB program?

Students are required to pay for their IB exams, which total approximately $850, in their senior year. Some IB students take selected exams after completing the class at the end of their junior year. (AP exams cost approximately $85 each.)

3. Will non-IB students be in class with IB students?

Yes, especially during the 9th and 10th grade IB years. However, most students will be honor students and other IB students. During the 11th and 12th grade IB program years, the majority of students in each class will be IB diploma candidates.

4. Is bus transportation provided for Highlands Ranch or Parker students?

Currently there is no bus transportation. DCHS IB and IBPO are working on it.
 

5. Will our Cresthill Middle School 8th grader take IB classes at Highlands Ranch High School?

No, IB classes are currently only offered at Douglas County and ThunderRidge High School, which is the representative IB school for all Douglas County School District high schools at the present time.

6. Will our Sagewood Middle School 8th grader take 9th grade classes at DCHS and participate in sports at Ponderosa High School (which would be our "home" school)?

No, once a student has been invited to participate in the IB program at Douglas County High School, DCHS becomes his/her "home" school.

7. What does the IB program look like for 9th and 10th grade students?

The MYP (Middle Years Program = sixth through tenth grade) IB coursework is designed to refine students' study skills and build an academic foundation to prepare them for success in the IB Diploma program.

8. How does a student get into the IB program?

Students gain admission into the program by submitting a completed application to the IB office at DCHS or on-line. Applicants who are hard-working, have at least a B average, and are seeking an academic challenge will be considered for the program. Students attending any of the District's other six high schools may open-enroll at Douglas County High School to participate in the IB program.

Rocky Mountain Association of IB World Schools