Diploma Programme
Why the IB Diploma Programme?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is an internationally recognized 2-year diploma program students can apply to take in their junior and senior year of high school. Diploma Programme (DP) students not only are required to take high level, in depth, rigorous courses, they also have the opportunity to contribute to the the local community (through the Creativity, Activity, Service requirement) as well as construct a college level research paper (through the Extended Essay). The DP programme promotes well rounded students, not just academically, but socially as well.
Student Benefits
- Provides a rigorous and well rounded education
- Allows more flexibility in student scores (you don't have to be perfect in every class)
University Benefits
- Acceptance rates are up to 22% higher for students with an IB Diploma and up to 13% higher for IVY League Schools
- College graduation rates are higher within the IB Diploma than without. For public colleges, the 4-year graduation rate is about 33%, with an IB Diploma that jumps to 84%
- Certain schools offer more credit for an IB Diploma (UCs give 20 semester units for successful completion of the diploma and a score of greater than 30)
- IB courses count for college credit (depending on course score, university, and major)
IB Diploma Programme Requirements & Course of Study
All IB DP candidates must:
- Take six (6) IB courses: one from each "group" - Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and one (1) Arts/Electives OR another Group 1-5 course:
- Successfully complete a combination of 4 Higher Level (HL) courses AND 2 Standard Level (SL) courses across the 6 groups, or
- Successfully complete a combination of 3 Higher Level (HL) courses AND 3 Standard Level (SL) courses across the 6 groups
| Subject Group: | Course: | Level(s): | |
| Group 1 | Language A: | Language and Literature | HL |
| Language & Literature | |||
| Group 2 | Language Acquisition: | Spanish (SL/HL) | SL/HL |
| Language B | Japanese (SL) | ||
| or Language ab initio | French ab initio (SL) | ||
| Group 3 | Individuals and Societies | History of the Americas | HL |
| Group 4 | The Sciences | Biology (HL) | SL/HL |
| Chemistry (HL) | |||
| Environmental Systems & Societies (SL) | |||
| Physics (SL) | |||
| Group 5 | Mathematics | Analysis and Approaches (HL) | SL/HL |
| Applications and Interpretations (SL) | |||
| Group 6 | The Arts | The Arts: | SL/HL |
| or | Music (HL) | ||
| Group 1-5 Elective | Theatre (HL) | ||
| Visual Arts (SL) | |||
| Group 1-5 Elective: | |||
| Psychology (HL), Individuals and Societies | |||
| Computer Science (SL), The Sciences |
- Successfully complete the DP Core:
| DP Core Requirements | Theory of Knowledge (TOK) a course that integrates the 6 subject groups through common inquiry and reflection on the nature of truth and worldwide cultural shifts Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) take part in experiences and a project to develop self-confidence and to become more well-rounded Extended Essay (EE) an independent, self-directed (up to 4,000 word) academic research paper on topic of interest in an approved DP subject area |
- Students must NOT have any academic misconduct such as cheating, plagiarism, etc.
2025 DP Testing Calendar
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Exam Protocol
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Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
Group 4:
Group 5:
Group 6:
Core:
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Q. Can I be a full IB diploma candidate and still be a member of ROTC, Band, or Leadership?
A. Yes. The MHS administration and DP Leadership are developing a flexible schedule model that allows you to do both.
Q. Is it possible for an IB diploma candidate to maintain their academy affiliation?
A. Yes. The course offerings have been selected with the AMP, MAOS, & SPARC academies in mind and all academy directors have been involved in the IB DP planning process.
Q. Is it possible to take Diploma Programme courses and not attempt the full diploma?
A. Yes. Students are encouraged to discuss their interests and strengths with their counselor when scheduling classes for the next school year in late January or early February of their sophomore year.