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Advice

Both full IB Diploma candidates and IB Certificate candidates (students taking one or more IB courses, but not attempting the full diploma) are enrolling themselves in rigorous academic courses. These classes demand that the student keep up with the work and do not let reading, note-taking, lab write-ups or other preparation or assignments pile up. Students are treated like college students in that teachers tend to trust the students to do the work without the usual monitoring. The responsibility to keep up is the student’s.

Jay Mathews of the Washington Post argues that taking one or more IB or AP courses prepares students better for the university experience than not attempting such courses while in high school. We believe a main reason for the for the IB program is to prepare students for college. The following words are our suggestions for students and parents!

Entering Pre-IB (IBMYP) & IB Courses at J.E.B. Stuart

Students and parents should be aware of the increased rigor and heightened expectations of Pre-IB (IBMYP) and IB courses at each grade level during the high school years. The intention of these courses is to “decisively engage” each student’s intellectual and creative potential and to meaningfully prepare her or him for the university experience following high school.

The philosophy of Fairfax County Public Schools and of J.E.B. Stuart High School is to make the International Baccalaureate program available to all those who want to challenge themselves as students and to prepare themselves for college. As such, there are no official entrance exams for either Pre-IB or IB courses. But, indeed, there are strongly recommended entering conditions of which Stuart students and their parents should be fully aware:

1. Self-motivation: the student must recognize that entering into and sticking with the IB process requires his or her conscious willingness to meet the challenge of these courses.
2. Making intelligent choices: the student (and parent) should be prepared to carefully decide which activities, both in and out of school, will best supplement the Pre-IB and IB program. This may mean having to make some thoughtful decisions even as early as the middle years about what courses to take and what the student can and cannot realistically do in relation to his or her academic schedule.
3. Teacher recommendations: the student should have a positive recommendation from the teacher of the course previous to the Pre-IB or IB course he or she wishes to enter.
4. Reading level: the student must be able to read at or above grade level If a student reads below grade level, all work will be more time-consuming and comprehension of advanced concepts more difficult.
5. Grades: while there is no set GPA requirement for entrance, the student should be performing at no less than a B in the course prior to entering the next Pre-IB course, no less than a C+ in a course prior to entering the next IB course the student wishes to take in any particular subject area.

These are the conditions that we feel will most accurately predict a student’s success in Pre-IB (IBMYP and IB courses. If questions arise concerning a student’s inability to meet these conditions, the guidance counselor, teacher, and/or IB coordinator should be consulted for further discussion concerning his or her entrance.

HELPFUL HINTS for the IB STUDENT

1. Be in class every day!!! IB classes are more demanding that regular classes. The teachers will move much faster and it is harder to make up class material and activities missed. Teachers are committed to helping you develop better thinking skills through class writings, lab experiments, group projects… You MUST be present to benefit.

2. Be Prepared!!! Have your notebook and textbook for each class every day. The teachers will spend some time with you in the fall suggesting ways to study and take notes for each subject. There will not be time to go to your locker for missing supplies and it is inefficient to always share with classmates. Do all assignments, including reading, on time. If you do not do your reading you will not get much from class. Do not expect extra credit work to make up for missed assignments.

3. Ask Questions!!! One of the most important characteristics of the IB program is that the student is in charge of his or her own learning. You must be involved in the material. Teachers are facilitators of your learning, not the sole dispensers of knowledge.

4. Form Study Groups!!! Often when you explain something to a peer or when another person challenges your views or offers insight, you will understand a topic better than if you just hear or read information. Students who form study groups do better!!!!

5. Keep an up-to-date Calendar!!! In this program you must develop excellent management skills. Use your JEB Stuart “Agenda” book. Keep track of all deadlines! If a teacher makes an assignment that conflicts with another class, discuss the due date then. Do not wait! Be sure to put everything on your calendar—appointments, meetings, rehearsals, even social events. EVERYTHING. Check you calendar daily for assignments two days ahead.

6. Review Notes!!! Review your notes before class. It will help you focus on the lesson and provide a daily review of course material.

7. Get Off The Couch!!! Exercise every day. This program is filled with stress and much hard work. It is important to learn ways to relax. A team sport will help you exercise regularly (as well as meet a CAS requirement). Some students become so stressed they have trouble sleeping. Exercise will help!

8. Sleep & Eat Well!!! Manage your time carefully--you may be able to do this.

9. Make Time for Fun!!! IB is difficult and will yield great rewards, but there is more to life than IB. You will need to spend many hours preparing for IB classes and satisfying diploma requirements, but you will burn out if you don’t have time for fun. Balance!