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 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.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a pre-university course
of study, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated
secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Its comprehensive
two-year curriculum is geared toward high school juniors and seniors
seeking a challenging educational experience that promotes international
understanding and includes high standards for achievement.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IB program is recognized
as an outstanding high school program. It has been in operation internationally
for 30 years and is in place in some 1,488 authorized IB world schools
in more than 115 countries around the world. There are approximately
4,475 IB schools in the United States and Canada; Douglas County High
School is one of 15 IB schools in Colorado.
In 1996, the Douglas County Board of Education gave its unanimous approval
to institute an International Baccalaureate program at Douglas County High
School (DCHS). The IB program is open to all high school students in the district,
with DCHS serving as a magnet school. Incoming ninth- and tenth-graders can
qualify for the Pre-IB program by completing an application and being accepted
into the program.
As the oldest high school in the Douglas County School District,
there is a rich tradition of diversity and academic excellence at DCHS. Approximately
2,500 students may choose from among 210 courses in programs of study that
reflect their abilities and aspirations.
DCHS fields teams in sports, performing
arts and debate and offers clubs devoted to specialized interest. It is the
goal of DCHS to develop the whole person in an environment of excellence where
individuality is recognized and encouraged. The addition of the IB program
meets the needs of those highly motivated students and enhances the total program
at DCHS.
The IB diploma symbolizes the world-recognized education these students
have received.
Pre-IB Program
At Douglas County High School, a two-year, Pre-IB curriculum, designed for freshmen and sophomores precedes the IB Program. Current 8th-grade students need to submit an application in early December to be eligible to participate in the program. Once a student is accepted in the Pre-IB program, they do not need to re-apply to continue with the IB program during their junior and senior years.
Curriculum
The IB diploma is awarded for achievement in six subjects. The program is designed to provide students with a balanced education through comprehensive studies in major disciplines including languages, social and experimental sciences, mathematics and electives.
Language A1
English, including the study of World Literature
Language B
French or Spanish
Individuals and Societies
History, Philosophy, Psychology
Experimental Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Mathematics
Mathematical Methods, Mathematical Studies, High Level Mathematics
Electives
Includes Art, Music, Dance and Theater or a second choice from the first five groups
