In 1997, BHS became the third public high school in New York State to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, leading to exa
minations, open to all juniors and seniors. 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 more than 50 years since its founding 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 in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world.
Binghamton High School students may elect to complete the requirements for a full IB Diploma, or they may choose to take individual IB courses and be awarded a certificate for the examinations completed.
All full IB Diploma candidates are required to offer 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 (HL), the others at the Standard Level (SL). Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the Diploma requires a minimum of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of three additional requirements; the Extended Essay of some 4,000 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, the compulsory participation in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service). Bonus points may be awarded for the exceptional essay or performance in ToK.
Additionally, the International Baccalaureate Organization has extended an invitation for BHS to be the third IB School in the world to pilot the IB Careers Certificate program. This exciting new program is a two-year course of study open to all juniors and seniors who are aspiring to enter a career-related/vocational field and advance to a two/four-year college or university.
Contact Dr. Patricia Gazda-Grace, IB Diploma Coordinator at 762-8244.
