IB Westdale Diploma Program Info5

WESTDALE SECONDARY SCHOOL
IB WORLD SCHOOL, DIPLOMA
PROGRAM
700 Main Street West-Hamilton, Ontario-L8S 1A5
(p) 905-522-1387 (f) 905-521-0542
Website- www.hwdsb.on.ca/westdale
International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program
Information Guide
IB Diploma Programme: Vision Statement
At Westdale Secondary School our students will focus on becoming
Global Citizens. This will be the defining feature of their
international education within the Diploma Programme. Global
Citizenship includes the promotion of intercultural understanding,
environmental stewardship and the nurturing of positive attitudes
towards well-being and peace.
Intercultural understanding begins with a sense of understanding
and pride in one’s own culture and concurrently develops a sense
of respect and pride in being a part of a global community of many
cultures.
Environmental stewardship is a responsibility of Global Citizens.
The air we breathe, the land we cultivate and the water we drink
are of equal, life-giving, value to all citizens of the world to be
protected and shared equitably.
Global well-being demands the eradication of poverty. The
complexity of this issue is not lost in the simplicity of this
statement. The health and well being of all citizens of the world as
a fundamental right is a value to which our students will adhere
and a concept they will promote.
The pursuit of peace is perhaps the most noble of endeavours. We
believe it can be achieved through education. In particular we
believe an education emphasizing Global Citizenship as we have
defined it has the best chance of achieving this end.
The IB Program at Westdale
The International Baccalaureate Diploma at Westdale Secondary
School is a two year program beginning in grade 11 which is
designed to prepare students for success at University. Students
will receive a rigorous and thorough curriculum that involves
teaching students the importance of being a ‘Global Citizen’.
Upon completion of the Diploma in their grade 12 year, students
will receive both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School
Diploma (OSSD).
The typical IB learner has a commitment to learning, strong study
and work habits, and has a natural curiosity to inquire and ask
questions of the world around them. The Westdale IB program is
rooted in high academic standards and strives to develop
internationally minded people who, recognizing their common
humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a
better and more peaceful world. In this regard, Westdale is seen
as a World School.
Universities will also offer Westdale students transfer credits
based on their results in Higher Level classes taken at Westdale.
The IB Diploma Programme Model
The diploma consists of the six academic areas that include the IB
Learner in the middle, with the curriculum surrounding the core
components of Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and
Creativity, Action and Service.
At Westdale, the IB Diploma can consist of the following subjects:
Group 1 – Language: English A Language and Literature
Group 2 - Language Acquisition: French B, Spanish Ab Initio (beginner),
Latin
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies: History Route 1(Europe), Integrated
Technology in a Global Society, Psychology, Economics
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Group 5 - Mathematics: Mathematics HL, SL and Math Studies
Group 6 - The Arts: Visual Arts, Music, OR a second subject from Group
3 or 4
Students can select six subjects, one from each group. At least 3
and not more than 4 of the six subjects must be taken at the Higher
Level (HL), the remaining subjects are taken at the Standard Level
(SL). HL courses represent a recommended 240 teaching hours, SL
courses 150 hours.
The Diploma Programme Core Requirements
The program offers 3 core components which are required for
Diploma completion; Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay
(EE) and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS).
TOK- is a required course which is intended to have students
critically reflect on their knowledge and experiences gained in
both classroom and personal settings. This course is a key
component of the IB Diploma, and it encourages students to use
this style of critical reflection within all of their academic areas.
(100 hours)
EE- is a requirement of all IB students to undertake an original
research and extended essay comprising of 4000 words. Students
are allowed to choose a topic of personal interest to them while
building the independent and research skills that are needed for
success at university.
CAS- CAS is an acronym for Creativity, Action, and Service. Each
Diploma student must complete at least 150 hours, spread out over
at least one and a half years, engaging in creative activity,
participating in sport or other physical activities, and doing
community service or social work. At Westdale, students must
complete approximately 50 hours in each of the areas, and
students will receive a student guide describing appropriate
activities for each. The ultimate goal of CAS is to create
compassionate and caring citizens in our community and for
students to reach beyond the classroom in their learning.
IB Diploma Requirements
The assessment of each student's work in each of the chosen 6 subjects
includes a comprehensive final examination, written in May of the student's
final year. TOK is assessed on a paper written by each student, and the
Extended Essay submitted for external assessment as well.
In addition, each subject has a course work component which is assessed
internally by the subject teacher. There is an emphasis throughout the IB
program on oral and written communication, extensive reading and the
nurturing of critical thinking.
Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 - 7. While the TOK and the
Extended Essay contribute up to 3 bonus points, the Diploma is awarded to a
student who has achieved a total point score of 24 out of a possible 45 points,
and who completes the CAS requirements.
Example:
Subject
Group 1 – Language
Group 2 - Second Language B
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
Group 5 - Mathematics
Group 6 - The Arts
Bonus TOK and EE (maximum 3)
IB Diploma Score
Grade
6
5
7
6
6
5
3
38
** maximum score 45**
Students must also successfully complete and submit their CAS to
receive their diploma.
Further information regarding University and Admissions for IB
Diploma holders can be found at:
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/index.cfm
IB Grade Conversion Scale
Once an IB Diploma candidate’s teachers have determined his or her predicted grades,
specific percentages are selected from the appropriate ranges shown below. These
percentage grades are then reported to the Ontario Universities Application Centre for the
OSSD credits that are considered equivalent to the applicant’s IB subjects.
As shown in the right-hand column, both IB and percentage grades reflect Ontario Ministry
of Education assessment levels. Specifically, IB grades of 5, 6 and 7 are considered to be at
Level 4, which is defined as “A very high level of achievement that is above the provincial
standard.” A grade of 4 (the median on the IB’s seven-point scale) is linked to Level 3,
which is defined as “A high level of achievement that is at the provincial standard.” Level 2
(equivalent to an IB grade of 3) is defined as “A moderate level of achievement that is
below, but approaching the provincial standard.”
IB
SEVEN-POINT
SCALE
OSSD
PERCENTAGE
RANGES
MoE
FOUR LEVEL
SCALE
7
97 to 100
4++
6
91 to 96
4+
85 to 90
4
81 to 84
4-
77 to 80
3+
74 to 76
3
71 to 73
3-
67 to 70
2+
64 to 66
2
60 to 63
2-
5
4
3
The IB Diploma Years: Grade 11 and 12
TOK = Theory of Knowledge
SL = Standard Level
HL = Higher Level
*subject to change based on Individual Course Selection and enrollment
IB Year 1
IB Year 2
Semester I
Semester II
Semester I
Semester II
HL 1
SL1
HL 1
HL 1 (exam in May)
HL 2
HL 3
HL 2
HL 2 (exam in May)
SL 2
SL 2 (exam in May) HL 3
HL 3 (exam in May)
SL 3
SL3 (exam in May) Open
SL 1 (exam in May)
*TOK is taking concurrently starting in Grade 11 Year
How do IB courses appear on the OSSD Transcript?
Standard Level courses usually equate to two equivalent Ontario
Curriculum Courses, while Higher Level Courses equate to three
Ontario Courses. The table below can be used as a guide.
*French immersion students will receive FIF3UI & FIF4UI & EAC4U1I
SL Course
OSSD
HL Course
OSSD
English
French
History
Geography
Math
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Visual Arts
Economics
ENG3U
ENG4U
FSF3U/FSF4U*
CHW3M
CHY4U
CGW4U
CGR4M
MHF4U
MCV4U
SCH3U
SCH4U
SBI3U
SBI4U
SPH3U
SPH4U
AVI3M
AVI4M
CIE3M
CIA4U
ENG3U
ENG4U
ETS4U
CHU3U
History
CHY4U
IDC4U
CGR4M
Geography
CGW4U
MHF4U
Math
MCV4U
MDM4U
SCH3U
Chemistry
SCH4U
SNC4M
SBI3U
Biology
SCH4U
PSE4U
AVI3M
Visual Arts
AVI4M
AWK4M
CIE3M
Economics
CIA4U
BBB4M
** students also receive HZT4U for the TOK
English
French Immersion
French Immersion students will have the opportunity to complete
both the Immersion Certificate and the IB Diploma. Students must
complete 10 credits in French Instruction, 7 of them must be done
before entering the IB Diploma program in Grade 11. Students will
receive the final three Immersion credits while studying the
French Language in IB.
Student Fees
Fees are subject to change based on the International
Baccalaureate Organization and the billing of Membership and
Examination fees to the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.
Grade 11
Semester I Semester II Semester I Semester II -
Grade 12
$550
$550
$550
$550
Program Summary
The IB Diploma Program at Westdale will provide a balanced and
academically challenging education for students preparing for
University. It will emphasize the development of the whole
student, and encourages them to think globally. The IB Diploma
will also give students a truly International Diploma, with the
opportunity to study abroad as over 145 countries understand and
accept IB as a rigorous and respected diploma. For students who
attain high achievement in the program, Universities are also
allowing for advanced placement and in some cases direct entry
into year two courses of study. Two years, Two Diplomas and an
opportunity to change the world!