Diploma Programme

IB Admissions Guidelines - Diploma and Career related Programmes

IB Assessment Guidelines

IB Academic Integrity Policy

IB Inclusion and Access Guidelines

IB Language Guidelines

FPS Positive Culture Handbook

Can my student participate in the IB program but still have time for extracurriculars?

This is a commonly asked question, and the answer varies for each student. There are many students in the IB program that participate in the School Plays and Musicals where rehearsals take place for 4+ hours after school. Other students are athletes that have sports practice and meets/games/matches for hours after school. These students are able to manage their time wisely so that they have enough time for extracurriculars while maintaining a high grade in their IB classes. At the same time, other students choose to focus solely on their class work because they may feel that splitting their time between school and outside activities might hurt their grades. The takeaway here is that IB teaches students time management skills so that if the student chooses to, they are able to participate in extracurriculars and be a well-rounded student.

If Farmington High School is not my student's home school, can my student still participate in the IB program?

Yes. If the student is enrolled in the IB program, they will be going to what is called "In District School of Choice". As such, the parents will be responsible for transportation to and from school as busing will not be provided.

How does the application process work?

Students who are interested in completing the IB Diploma Programme at FHS should complete the application (found on the FHS IB Website). Eighth-grade students should complete the application prior to the deadline in late January so that they can be properly registered into classes for their ninth-grade year. Applications after the deadline will be accepted as well but the student's scheduling with not be as streamlined. 

If my student decides to leave the IB Diploma Programme, can they do so?

If a student decides not to pursue the diploma, they may drop out of the IB program. However, the student is then required to complete all State and District graduation requirements that are waived for IB Diploma students. 

What is the difference between Diploma and Course?

There are two options available to the students to be involved with IB classes. 

1. Students can work towards earning the IB Diploma, called being a "Diploma Candidate". This involves completing the entire program of classes and core work (CAS, TOK, EE) during the Junior and Senior years. All of the student's classes during these two years will be IB classes. Students can earn college credit or advanced standing based on the individual scores for each of their courses. For students who earn the IB Diploma, some universities start students as sophomore standing for their first year. Diploma Candidates are not required to complete all State and District required courses for graduation. 
2. Students can also opt to take individual IB courses, similar to taking an AP class. This is called being a "Course Candidate".  This student cannot earn an IB diploma but instead will earn individual scores for each IB class (from their assessment results) that has the potential of earning college credits. Other than the specific IB classes the rest of the student's classes would be non-IB classes such as regular classes, honors classes, AP classes, or electives. Course Candidates are not required to complete the Extended Essay, CAS Hours, or the Theory of Knowledge class. Course Candidates ARE REQUIRED to complete all State and District graduation requirements. 

How do I earn an IB Diploma?

• You must take and test in all 6 subjects and either 3 or 4 must be HL.
• You must complete the requirements for TOK, EE, and CAS.
  • There is no grade/score for CAS but you must fulfill all CAS requirements to earn the diploma. (You earn a grade for your transcript only.)
  • You must not score an “E” for either EE or TOK. (“E” is a failing grade.)
• You must earn total points greater than or equal to 24 (out of 45 possible)
  • Score greater than or equal to 12 points on HL exams (total of 3 best HL scores)
  • Score greater than or equal to 
    • 9 points on SL exams if 3 are taken 
    • 5 points on SL exams if 2 are taken
  • The following will make it impossible to earn a diploma: 
    • Scoring a “1” on any exam.
    • Scoring three or more “2”s on exams.
    • Scoring a total of four or more “3”s, “2”s, and “1”s (any combination).
  • You earn points for EE and TOK based on the matrix. (Most common is 1 point.)

How is IB different from AP?

AP is a one-year or one-semester class with an AP exam at the end of the year. College credit may be awarded based on the score of one test. IB is a two-year program where students take six different classes with multiple assessments including written essays, internal and external assessments, and oral commentaries, resulting in a composite score. College credit is awarded based on the composite score for each subject. IB students are required to complete additional requirements such as CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. The goal of the IB Diploma Programme is to help a student become well-rounded academically and personally.

Can the IB Programme help a student get accepted to a good college?

Read more about the IB Acceptance rates of the Top 25 Colleges.

How much college credit can an IB student earn?

Click here for the IB College Credit at Universities Chart (v. 2019)

The IB Diploma Program does not officially begin until a student's Junior year. Prior to the Junior year our goal is to not only acclimate the students to high school but also to begin to introduce some of the IB philosophies to the students. Freshman and Sophomores will have an experience very similar to other students taking a college prep class load. There are a few courses that are required of them to both help the students understand the expectations of the program as well as to continue building strong organizational skills.

Freshmen in the IB Diploma Program are strongly encouraged to take Honors English and Honors Biology. They are required to start or continue with a World Language (Spanish, French, or Japanese).

Sophomores in the IB Program will continue with Honors English and their selected World Language. In addition, sophomores are strongly encouraged to take a class called "IB Essentials. This class will give the students a better understanding of the IB Core (TOK, CAS, and EE) as well as some of the guiding principles of IB, such as the Learner Profile. IB Essentials helps to make sure students are comfortable with signing up for the IB Diploma Program before the Junior year when it becomes harder to change directions.

What Admissions Directors are Saying:

University of Michigan, Cliff Sjogren, former Director of Admissions "A transcript that reveals a student's enrollment in International Baccalaureate courses serves notice to the admissions officer that the applicant is someone who accepts rather than avoids educational challenges. Further, a successful IB student will enroll at Michigan with some advantages over students who have taken less intensive programs...Unquestionably, a school that graduates each year a number of students with IB diplomas has demonstrated its commitment to high educational standards and that commitment will serve to influence admissions decisions at the University of Michigan."

University of Michigan, Joseph Gore, Admissions Counselor "We definitely take note of the IB Diploma in the admissions process at Michigan! Feel free to quote me on that!"

Michigan State University, Pamela Horne, Assistant to the Provost for Enrollment and Director of Admissions, "My eyes light up when I see"International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme" on a transcript. Students who apply to Michigan State University with IB credentials are assumed to be mature, curious, and creative. They have proven to be successful in a rigorous program that is both broad and deep in its content and intellectual challenge. On campus, IB graduates move with ease in a diverse and global university that demands intercultural skill and adaptability. The challenge of completing an IB diploma means that a student has engaged in the kind of rigorous work that is likely to help them become not just an outstanding college student and citizen of the world, but an exceptional one."

Oakland University "Oakland University values the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and its engaging and challenging curriculum that encourages critical thinking, intercultural understanding and respect."

Duke University, Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admissions "One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific."

Brown University, Panetha Ott, Admissions Officer "I don't think there is anyone who does not respect the I.B."

Virginia Tech, Dr. Eugene Carson"IB students who attended that university (Virginia Tech) as freshmen significantly outperformed all other freshmen, including students who had taken Advanced Placement courses."

What Students are Saying:

Nuha Malik, Harrison High School Class of 2017, "Many students in the United States and around the world do not have the chance to delve deeply into math, science, language, the arts, and Information Technology the way that IB students do. Take advantage of that because it pushes you to understand what it means to work hard for something, to push the boundaries of your mind and make friends who work together. You should do IB if given the chance."

Grace Xu, Harrison High School Class of 2017, "When I first got into IB, I was worried that it would be too difficult for me to juggle along with my after school clubs, varsity swimming, and tennis schedules. But, as time passed, I realized how IB has helped me to better manage my time during the day so that I can have enough time to do homework, study, participate in sports, and enjoy my high school experience. Additionally, IB has helped me to grow as a critical thinker and grow as an individual. IB offers a myriad of opportunities to learn from diverse cultures in the language classes, to explore various ways of knowledge, and to give back to the community through IB's ingenious CAS core. IB is an opportunity you do not want to miss out on!"

Hala Yazdani, Harrison High School Class of 2017, "IB is definitely worth it for high school students; I highly recommend it as it builds leaders and character as well as hardworking and dedicated individuals who are ready to greet the world head on. It may be a tough journey, but having the satisfaction of completing such an elite program fuels and prepares you for college and future endeavors. It changes the way one thinks and perceives the world around them. The experience, the expectation, and the energy that comes from doing IB is definitely worth your while."

Informational Presentation for 8th Graders (v. 2021)