The International Baccalaureate Program is a comprehensive course of study designed for highly motivated students. This stimulating, challenging program meets standards of international academic excellence and promotes admission to colleges and universities throughout the world.

Rewards of being an International Baccalaureate Student

• IB has an international acceptability which allows for both flexibility and mobility.
• IB educates the "whole person".
• IB encourages students to appreciate cultures and attitudes other than their own and to be informed, tolerant and willing to communicate with others.
• The IB approach to education is not encyclopedic. The emphasis is on helping students to learn how to learn and how to analyze.
• IB provides a broad general education while still allowing specialized study in areas corresponding to the individual's particular interests and plans for the future.
• IB is a college selector for many major universities.

Special Features of the Diploma

The IB Diploma recipient is recognized world wide as a leader of high academic standing. The ability to think, write (communicate), and assume responsibility within a community are viewed as key attributes of this individual. With this in mind, the International Baccalaureate Organization requires all students to complete these three components; Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS, as essential culminating actions for a diploma candidate.

Theory of Knowledge

The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course is designed to "cap" the curriculum by providing an opportunity for reflection. The object is not to learn new knowledge, but to increase understanding of what has already been learned. TOK requirements include one essay of 1200 to 1600 words; formal oral presentation; individual and group discussion/assignments; 1+ short essays each six weeks; journal entries.

Extended Essay

The extended essay is a 4,000-word essay (approx. 15 double-spaced pages) which reflects an original piece of research, analysis and interpretation written by the student under the direct supervision of a qualified mentor. Students will choose a topic from any content area within IB guidelines and will develop the essay with guidance through English III & IV classes.

CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)

Believing a true leader is one who participates in the aesthetics of life and gives to society as much as he/she receives, the IB diploma candidate will be expected to contribute a combination of 150 hours of creative, action, and service activities. Students may begin their CAS hours in June after their 10th grade year.

Admission Guidelines 

Anderson High School students who wish to enter the IB Program must be enrolled in Pre AP/IB courses in grades 9 & 10; they must begin the study of French, German, Latin or Spanish by grade 9. Anderson students apply in January of their sophomore year. Applications can be found on the Handouts page of this web site and are due by February 1 to the IB Coordinator.

Students who live in the Austin Independent School District may apply for a curriculum transfer to enter Anderson as a freshman, with the commitment of being an IB diploma candidate their junior and senior years. Curriculum transfer applications can also be found on the Handouts page of this web site and are due to the IB Coordinator by March 1.

The IB Coordinator will examine the records of each student applying for the International Baccalaureate Program. The following factors are considered: academic performance; teacher and counselor recommendations; parental consent and support.

Once accepted, a student must maintain a high level of academic achievement. Progress will be continuously evaluated.

IB Examinations - Junior and Senior years

Diploma candidates will test in six areas over a two-year period. Three exams must be on the Higher Level (HL), which are taken at the end of senior year. Three must be Standard Level (SL), two of which may be taken at the end of junior year. Decisions on exams must be made by October 15.

Certificate candidates take at least two HL exams at the end of their senior year. They are also allowed to test in our SL courses if they choose to do so.

Exams are taken in six areas:

• Language A1 - English
• Language B - French, German, Latin, Spanish
• History
• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Mathematics
• IB elective: a second science, Computer Science, Art, Psychology, Economics, Music

For further information contact:
Michelle Szabo, IB Coordinator
Phone: 414-7951; mszabo@austinisd.org