The International Baccalaureate

IB World School status dramatically enriches Trinity’s academic climate.  In 1994, Trinity became the first school in the Richmond area- public or independent- to adopt the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a worldwide standard of educational excellence.

IB is an extremely competitive curriculum with a global focus.  The program emphasizes intellectual challenge, cultural diversity, and independent research.  This challenging two-year college preparatory course of study is for academically strong and highly motivated students.  Participation gives students opportunities not only for advanced standing at colleges or universities, but also priority in the college admissions process.

The global administration of the program ensures that as an IB student in Richmond, or in London or Buenos Aires, you will be able to measure your performance against an  international standard.  The IB diploma earned at Trinity is, then, the same diploma awarded to accomplished students in more than 125 countries around the world.  Trinity faculty members conducting IB classes attend specialized training sessions and IB workshops at various academic sites across the nation.

Academic Requirements

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program ensures that students are exposed to the great traditions of learning:  the humanities and the sciences.  An IB diploma requires mastery in six academic subjects (best language and additional language, experimental science, mathematics, individuals and society, and an elective such as visual arts) and completion of the unifying Theory of Knowledge course.  Students must also fulfill a community service requirement and write an extended 4000-word mentored essay that introduces them to the independent research and writing skills needed in college.

Success in the IB Diploma Program also requires a true commitment to hard work, a love of learning, and an appreciation of self-discovery.  See the IB Learner Profile for more particulars.

How to Apply

Any junior or senior at Trinity with the required coursework background and a demonstrated self-motivation and commitment to hard work, may participate in the International Baccalaureate course of study.  Students intending to pursue the IB Diploma Program typically plan their curriculum sequence in their freshman year at Trinity in preparation for the actual IB course of studies undertaken during the junior and senior years.  Students with a late-blooming interest, or transfer students, however, may still be eligible for admission to the program. 

IB schedules at Trinity are individualized according to the strengths and enthusiasms of each participating student.  This is a definite independent, small school advantage to seekers of an IB diploma.  Qualified students can opt to take individual courses for IB certification, instead of undertaking the complete IB Diploma Program.

Students who think they might be interested in IB are encouraged to talk with Trinity’s IB coordinator, Marti Truman, as early as possible.

College Recognition of IB Courses

The following IB website link:  http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/directory/index.cfm  allows you to search colleges and universities for their policies for giving credit or advanced standing for IB and often AP courses.  Just type in the name of the college or university in the search  box. 

Current IB Students

2007-2008  TES IB Calendar Due Dates

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Trinity Episcopal School                Major IB Deadlines   2007/2008
               
    Extended Essay

Please meet with your mentors as soon as possible and regularly.

Deadlines:   A rough draft (close to completion) with only very minor provisions is due Friday, October 19.  One copy must be turned in to the IB Coordinator and one copy to the mentor.  Two copies of the final paper to send to IB are due December 14. 

IB Class:  IB Independent Research is listed on your schedule.  This class never meets.  The grade is based on the Essay completion.  If you meet the requirement of October 19, you get an ‘A.’  If you do not meet that requirement you get an ‘F.’  If you get an ‘F’, it would not appear on your transcript since it is a quarter grade, not a semester grade.

If both deadlines are met, you get an ‘A’ on your transcript for this class.  If you did not meet the first deadline, you get a ‘C’ for the semester.  This class is weighted so it gives IB diploma candidates an edge in their GPA!

This grading scheme is not meant to be punitive, but rather a structure to get this project finished in a timely manner.

Test Schedules

2008 AP Schedule
2008 IB Schedule


    Courses

1.  IB English
IB  English requires two World Literature papers.  They are both tentatively due Friday, December 14.  Mr. Decker will give you all the details.

There are also individual oral taped commentaries - these  will be done the week of March 3. Again Mr. Decker will fill you in on the details and format.

2.  IB Languages
Tapes for French, German, and Spanish will be done individually during the school day.

3. IB History and Geography
History   - two papers due:   November 26 (Mon) and February 19 (Tue)
Geography  - project due March 20

4.  IB Sciences
The IB sciences have an in-house field trip scheduled for January 18.
The Group 4 presentation is on February 8.

5.  IB Math
Math Studies - project due November 16
Math Methods - project due March 20

6.  IB Art and Music
The art examiner visits early to mid April.
Musical Investigation due March 20

7.  Theory of Knowledge
Paper due February 22