1. The key to success in IB is student motivation.
Students who enjoy school and schoolwork, who see their educational involvement as a challenge and thrive on those challenges will do well in the program. Pre-IB and IB classes are generally demanding and require that students participate actively and think far beyond rote memorization. Students who want the challenge of that type of experience will find the IB program matches their expectations.
2. The successful IB student should possess both a willingness and ability to think and read critically.
There is not a magic standardized test score number to designate this skill, but students should enjoy reading and/or be able to read texts beyond surface interpretations. All IB and PreIB courses demand a great deal of reading, so the level of reading comprehension must be fairly sophisticated. I have observed some students with above average standardized test scores perform more successfully in these challenging classes than some students with scores off the charts. Once again, the key factor is the student's desire to engage the ideas, concepts and skills that are being presented.
3. Students in IB should be focused more on learning than only in earning grades.
Some students and parents are concerned when a student does not stellar marks in every subject, every quarter and every assignment. Since all work in IB courses is assessed according to rubrics that meet international standards, students will sometimes have difficulty consistently reaching that excellence. Those enrolled in IB need to recognize that the process of learning is the goal rather than strictly the acquisition of grades.
4. Students should begin preparation for IB in middle school, enrolling in Algebra and Foreign Language (either French, German, Spanish).
Doing so gives students the appropriate educational prerequisites to keep open all possible options for PreIB courses in the ninth and tenth grades and IB courses in the eleventh and twelfth.
5. Students should have demonstrated success in challenging courses prior to enrollment in the IB.
While we at Robinson believe that this program is appropriate for many students, students should not "try" the classes without genuine motivation to rise to the challenges of the rigorous PreIB and IB curriculum.
The decision for enrollment should be the product of discussion by the student, parents and guidance counselor. Ultimately the decision must rest with the student who should honestly answer the following questions:
- What is my primary motivation for choosing IB or PreIB classes?
- How successful have I been in the past in challenging courses?
- Do I enjoy educational challenges?
- How active is my involvement in classroom activities now?
- Do I enjoy reading?
- Do I enjoy drawing conclusions or do I like the teacher to tell me what I am supposed to know and think?
If the answers to these questions are consistent with the profile of a successful IB student, then the International Baccalaureate program at Robinson Secondary School would be a good "fit" for you.
Does this describe you? If it does, perhaps you should consider entering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
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Is the IB Program Right for You?