Important IB Dates:
· Tuesday, January 14th, 2016 at 5:30-6:30pm: IB Eighth Grade Parent Information Night
· December 2015 - February, 2016: Registration Process
· Students are invited to shadow current IB students at their convenience. Please arrange your visit with the SHHS IB Department, 720.886.5420
What makes the IB special at Smoky Hill High School?
In 1991, Smoky Hill became the second IB Diploma School established in the state of Colorado. In the fall of 2010, Smoky Hill High School, in partnership with Laredo Middle School, became the only authorized IB Middle Years Program (MYP) in the Cherry Creek School District. Smoky Hill is the onlyCherry Creek School that has two IB programs under one roof: the Diploma Program and the Middle Years Program.
Inaddition to our outstanding faculty and long-standing academic excellence, we are recognized for:
· providing aseamless transition into the IB Diploma Program (DP) by offering the last two years of the Middle Years Program (MYP) for 9th and 10th grade students. The MYP requires students to complete a personal project, a significant piece of work that is the product of the student's own initiative and creativity at the end of the 10th grade.
· offeringtwopathways through history: History of the Americas and History of Europe (both available as HL & SL options).
· offeringfourIB world languages: French, Latin, Japanese, & Spanish.
· offeringthreeoptions for the sciences: Chemistry, Environmental Systems and Societies,& Physics.
· offeringthreeoptions for mathematics: SL Math studies, SL Calculus and HL Calculus.
· offeringMusic, Theater and Visual Arts(including Digital Media Studies in our state-of-the-art digital media lab) as IB Arts options.
· offeringIB Business Management and Psychologyas HL & SL Group 3 or Group 6 options.
· providingtwospecially trained IB counselors dedicated to helping our IB students with course selections and college preparation.
· providing opportunities for students to become globally minded individuals through community and service throughout both programs.
What does DP look like at Smoky Hill High School?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, 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 program are to provide students with a balanced education; to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility; and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience. Since its founding in 1968, the IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. The student who satisfies its demands demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world.
The IB Diploma program curriculum at Smoky Hill High school consists of six groups:
Studies in Language and Literature: English. This includes the study of World Literature.
Language Acquisition: A choice of: French, Spanish, Japanese or Latin
Individuals and Societies: History of the Europe, History of the Americas, and History of the
Contemporary World
Experimental Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, and Ecosystems and Societies
Mathematics: Math Studies, Calculus
Sixth Subject: Business, Digital Media, Music, Psychology, Theater Arts, and Visual Arts
All IB Diploma Candidates are required to test in 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 award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of three additional requirements: the Extended Essay of some 4000 words which provides the first experience of the independent research paper; a course entitled Theory of Knowledge (TOK) which explores the relationships among the various disciplines and ensures that students engage in critical reflection and analysis of the knowledge acquired within and beyond the classroom; and the compulsory participation in CAS – extra-curricular, service learning activities. Bonus points may be awarded for the exceptional essay or performance in Theory of Knowledge.
For further information contact Mrs. Patricia Wetmore, International Baccalaureate Diploma Coordinator, at 720-886-5420 or visit http://smokyhill.cherrycreekschools.org/academics/ib/Pages/default.aspx
What does MYP look like at Smoky Hill High School?
The IB Middle Years Program, for students aged eleven to sixteen, provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers. The program consists of eight subject groups integrated through five areas of interaction that provide a framework for learning within and across the subjects. The emphasis is on the fluidity of the curricular framework and the interrelatedness of the subjects. Aspects of the areas of interaction are addressed naturally through the distinct disciplines.
The overall philosophy of the program is expressed through three fundamental concepts that support and strengthen all areas of the curriculum. These concepts are based on intercultural awareness, holistic learning, and communication.
The IB Middle Years Program curriculum at Smoky Hill High school consists of eight groups:
Language and Literature: MYP English
Language Acquisition: A choice of: French, Spanish, Japanese or Latin
Individuals and Societies: MYP World Geography and Government, MYP American History
Sciences: Honors Biology, Chemistry Honors, and AP Biology
Mathematics: Algebra 1, Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2 Honors/Trigonometry, IB Pre-Calculus
Further MYP Requirements: Arts, Physical and Health Education, Design (see IB Course Sequence for list of choices)
In the final year of the program, each student is required to complete a personal project, a significant piece of work that is the product of the student’s own initiative and creativity. Each project must reflect a personal understanding of the areas of interaction. Students are expected to choose their project, which can take many forms, and take the process through to completion under the supervision of a teacher and community mentor. The project involves planning, research, and a high degree of personal reflection. Students will present their projects on Super Saturday with an authentic audience.
For further information contact Mrs. Cheryl Paricio, IB Middle Years Program Coordinator, at 720-886-5420 or visit http://smokyhill.cherrycreekschools.org/academics/ib/Pages/default.aspx
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE COURSE SEQUENCE
HL=Higher Level Examinations
SL =Standard Level Examinations
SUBJECTS / GRADE 9 / GRADE 10 / GRADE 11 / GRADE 12 / Testing OpportunitiesLanguage and Literature
(Subject Group 1)
English / MYP English 9 / MYP English 10 / IB English 11 / IB English 12 / HL and SL
Language Acquisition (Subject Group 2)
French
Japanese
Latin
Spanish
Spanish Ab Initio** / Level 1 or 2
Level 1 or 2
Level 1
Level 1 or 2 / Level 2, 3, or 4
Level 2, 3, or 4
Level 2
Level 2, 3 or 4 / Level 3 or 4
Level 3 or 4
Level 3
Level 3 or 4
Level 1 / Level 4 or 5
Level 4 or 5
Level 4
Level 4 or 5
Level 2 / SL
Ab Initio
SL
SL
Ab Initio
Individuals and Society
(Subject Group 3) / MYP World Geography
and Government / MYP American History / IB European History
IB History of the Americas / IB Contemporary World / HL and SL
Sciences*
(Subject Group 4) / Biology Honors
Chemistry Honors / Chemistry Honors
AP Biology OR
Physics Honors / IB Chemistry SL
IB Physics 1
IB Eco Systems & Societies SL / IB Chemistry SL
IB Physics 2
IB Eco Systems & Societies SL / HL and SL
Mathematics
(Subject Group 5) / Algebra 1
Geometry
Geometry Honors
Algebra 2 Honors/ Trig
IB Pre Calculus / Geometry
Algebra 2
Algebra 2 Honors/ Trig
IB Pre Calculus
AP Calculus BC / Algebra 2
IB Math Studies/Trig
IB Pre Calculus
AP Calculus BC
Calculus III/Diff Eqn
/ IB Math Studies/Trig
AP Statistics OR
Pre-Calc Honors
IB Calculus SL
IB Calculus HL / HL and SL
Further MYP/DP Requirements / Art and Physical and Health Education
Community and
Service (10 hours) / Art and Design
Community and
Service (10 hours)
Personal Project / Sixth Subject (group 6)
Theory of Knowledge
CAS (Community Service – 75 hours/year)
Extended Essay / HL and SL in 6th Subject
*Contact Science Coordinator for requests for change of sequence.
Opportunities for Visual Arts/ Performing Arts include: Drawing/Painting 1, Drawing/Design 1, Pottery 1, Intermediate Drawing and Painting, Intermediate Pottery/Sculpting (sophomore year), and Intermediate Painting (sophomore year), Beginning Acting, Intermediate Acting, Tech Theater 1,2, History of Rock and Roll, Beginning Women’s Choir, Beginning Men’s Choir, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony/Orchestra, Jazz Band, Percussion, Strings/Orchestra.
Opportunities for Design include: Marketing 1, Computer Graphics w/Digital Media, 3D Graphics/Animation, Advanced 3D Graphics, Digital Media Studies, Yearbook, and Student Leadership/Government.
Opportunities for Physical and Health Education include: MYP Fitness, MYP Weight Training, MYP Net Games, MYP Team Sports, MYP Health, Dance, and Aerobics. Other Physical Education courses can be taken once MYP requirement is fulfilled.
Opportunities for Sixth Subject electives include: Business Management (HL, SL), Music (SL), Psychology (HL, SL),
Theater Arts (HL, SL), Visual Arts (HL, SL), an additional IB Science, or Spanish Ab Initio(for students who are interested in taking an additional language. Option available for students taking Japanese, Latin or French as their Language Acquisition subject Group 2.)