McNeil HS
IB Diploma Programme
What is the IB Diploma?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a worldwide and well-respected advanced academic option for junior and senior level students. We offer a wide range of IB courses and an diverse community full of events and activities.
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"All IB programmes address students’ cognitive, social, emotional and physical well-being and offer opportunities for students to become active and caring members of local, national and global communities" (CAS Guide, IBO).
IB CORE and Academic IB Courses
"Strongly committed to the principle of developing the whole person, the IB believes that this is best achieved by identifying and developing clearer and more explicit aims for and relationships between TOK, CAS and the extended essay. . . The core is seen as the heart of the Diploma Programme. The academic disciplines, while separate to the core, are nonetheless linked to it" (CAS Guide, IBO).
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Theory of Knowledge
"The theory of knowledge (TOK) course encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, to reflect on the process of learning in all their subjects, and to see and understand the connections between them."
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"In TOK, students reflect on the knowledge, beliefs and opinions that they have built up from their years of academic studies and their lives outside the classroom. The course is intended to be challenging and thought-provoking—as well as empowering—for students" (TOK Guide, IBO)
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Extended Essay
The extended essay, a substantial piece of academic writing of up to 4,000 words, enables students to investigate a topic of special interest that they have chosen themselves; this encourages the development of independent research skills expected at university.
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"The extended essay is a unique opportunity for students to explore an academic area in which they have a personal interest. This takes the form of an independently written research paper that allows students to demonstrate their passion, enthusiasm, intellectual initiative and/or creative approach for their chosen topic"
(EE Guide, IBO).
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Creativity, Activity, Service
CAS involves students in a range of enjoyable and significant experiences, as well as a CAS project.
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"Creativity—exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance
Activity—physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
Service—collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need"
(CAS Guide, IBO).
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IB Academic Courses
SL courses (standard level) may be one or two year courses and can be taken junior year and/or senior year. Please note that only 2 SL courses can be completed (EA’s in May) during junior year.
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HL courses (higher level) are two year courses and must be taken junior and senior year. Exams for HL courses will be in May of senior year.
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IB academic courses are separated into SIX distinct groups.
IB Mission Statement
IB aims to create a better world through education.
IB’s ambitious mission:
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The International Baccalaureate 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 organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programs 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 Learner Profile
The IB Learner Profile is the IB Mission statement in action.
At McNeil HS, we seek to develop the characteristics of the IB learner through our philosophy and curriculum. These attributes are nurtured in our students, and modeled by our teachers, throughout the time in MHS IB and continue to develop throughout their lives.
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CARING
INQUIRERS
THINKERS
KNOWLEDGEABLE
RISK-TAKERS
PRINCIPLED
OPEN-MINDED
BALANCED
COMMUNICATORS
REFLECTIVE