International Baccalaureate

 

International Baccalaureate (IB) schools aim to go beyond traditional curriculum by developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people motivated to succeed. IB offers a continuum of programs from elementary through high school. The programs encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students in their studies and personal development.

 

 

At the elementary level, IB offers the Primary Years Program (PYP).  PYP prepares students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child with emphasis on how students learn, how educators teach, and the principles and practices of effective assessment of learning.

Currently, the three elementary schools in the Riverwood High School feeder pattern are PYP schools. These schools are:

• Heards Ferry
• High Point
• Lake Forest

Two elementary schools in the Westlake High School feeder pattern are PYP schools. These schools are:

• A. Philip Randolph
• Stonewall Tell

Click here to learn more about the IB Primary Years Programme

 

 

The Middle Years Program (MYP), for students in grades 6-10, is a challenging, inclusive framework of eight subject areas where students make connections between their coursework and the real world. The MYP curriculum focuses on teaching and learning in context. MYP uses concepts, or big ideas, as springboards to inquiry into issues and ideas of personal, local, and global significance. The MYP approach to learning develops independent learning and encourages application of knowledge in unfamiliar contexts. Service and action are key values in the IB community. MYP students complete projects through school or personal explorations of inquiry, action, and reflection.

• Ridgeview Charter Middle School, in the Riverwood High School feeder pattern, is an authorized IB World School offering the MYP program.
• Riverwood High School is an authorized IB World School with the MYP Program for grades 9 and 10, and the Diploma Program for grades 11 and 12.
• Sandtown Middle School, in the Westlake High School feeder pattern, is in the candidacy phase of becoming an authorized IB World School.
• Westlake High School is an authorized IB World School with the MYP Program for grades 9 and 10, and the Diploma Program for grades 11 and 12

Resources

• IB MYP Individuals and Societies Guide 
• IB MYP Physical and Health Education Guide
• IB MYP Design Guide
• IB MYP Language Acquisition Guide
• IB MYP Sciences Guide
• IB MYP Mathematics Guide
• IB MYP Arts Guide
• IB MYP Language A Guide

Click here to learn more about the IB Middle Years Programme

 

 

The oldest and most widely known IB program is the Diploma Program (DP). The Diploma Program focuses on the breadth and depth of knowledge though rigorous coursework and personal action. Students in the DP Program excel in traditional academic subjects, and seek to broaden their high school experience. The DP curriculum is composed of the DP core and six subject groups. The DP Core includes the exploration of the nature of learning through a unique course called the Theory of Knowledge (TOK); an independent, extended essay based on self-directed research; and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) project. The six subject groups include Studies in Language and Literature, Language acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the arts. IB assesses mastery of advanced academic skills through internal assessments and IB course exams.

FCS has four authorized IB World Schools offering the IB Diploma Program to select students in grade 11 and 12:

• Alpharetta High School
• Centennial High School
• Riverwood International Charter High School
• Westlake High School

Click here to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students wishing to attend a high school offering the IB Diploma program must follow the Change of School Assignment process first to ensure they may attend the selected school. Transfer approvals do not guarantee admission into the program; there is a separate application process occurring after acceptance into the school.