International Baccalaureate - Columbia River High School

International Baccalaureate Program

Learn more about the IB programs at River!

A world of knowledge is waiting

The International Baccalaureate program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.

Columbia River High School was authorized as an IB World School in 1994. This magnet program draws students from all areas of Clark County. Admission to this rigorous four-year program is by competitive application based on prior academic success, interest and motivation, and the student’s desire to engage in the IB’s Learner Profile traits. IB students are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

Students in 9th and 10th grades enter as a part of our Honors program, then choose to begin the IB Diploma Program (DP) or IB Career-related Program (CP) in 11th grade. Our 9th and 10th grade Honors program classes are taught with an international perspective and are designed to prepare students for the rigors of university-level coursework required of the International Baccalaureate Program classes in 11th and 12th grades.

IB is not only about opening books, it is about opening eyes, minds and, most importantly, hearts.

IB teacher

I am so thankful I did an EE in the sciences. I am just thankful it was required of me because I didn’t realize how beneficial the experience would be for me now.

IB graduate

As an IB student, you get to swim in a pool of excellence.

IB graduate

10 reasons for IB Diploma Programme

IB DP General Regulations

IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM

The IB Diploma Program encourages international-mindedness, develops a positive attitude toward learning, has a reputation for its rigor with published global standards, and emphasizes the development of the whole student — physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically.

Students enrolling in the IB Diploma Program will take Honors classes their 9th and 10th grade years in English, History, Math, and Science and begin the full diploma program in 11th grade. In 11th and 12th grades students will take a full course load of 6 IB subjects, as well as participate in the components listed below.

IB COURSES

Most students enter the Honors program, which offers classes that prepare freshmen and sophomore to become an official member of the IB program in their junior and senior years. At the end of their sophomore year, students will commit to the IB Diploma Program or become an IB course candidate.

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE

A course that provides a forum for discussion, reflection and instruction on the nature of human knowledge.

EXTENDED ESSAY

A 4,000-word essay that is the result of a personal investigation into an academic research question.

CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE

Reflects student involvement in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work outside of the classroom.

10 reasons for Career-related programme

What you need to know about the IB Career-Related Program

IB CAREER-RELATED PROGRAM

Columbia River High School was authorized to begin offering the IB Career-related Program in the Fall of 2020. The Career-related Program (CP) incorporates the values of the IB into a career-related pathway. Currently, Columbia River offers career-related pathway options in Computer Science, Engineering, Marketing and Digital Arts (Video, Photo, and Graphic Design), with a plan to expand the program options each year. Students who complete this program are well equipped to enter into apprenticeships, higher education, or go directly into competitive employment.

Current 9th and 10th graders interested in beginning the program their 11th grade year should check in with Morgan Parker in the Student Pathways Center. Students who have not yet started high school will apply as a part of the magnet application and will be assessed based on interest and motivation, connection to a career-related pathway, and their commitment to challenge themselves academically while preparing for a career they love.

IB COURSES

Ninth graders will enter our Honors program for 9th and 10th grade. Students will take at least 3 Honors classes in their 9th and 10th grade years and will have the ability to work with their counselor on determining which Honors courses they would like to take. Beginning in 11th grade, CP students will take at least 2 IB courses of their choosing.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Taken in 11th and 12th grade, this course provides skills for the workplace that are directly transferable. The course emphasizes personal development, intercultural understanding, effective communication, thinking processes, and applied ethics, with an emphasis on discovering your strengths and passions and how you can use those to improve the local and global community.

SERVICE LEARNING

Students will participate in at least 50 hours of service learning in their 11th and 12th grade years as an ongoing experience related to their career-related study.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Students will develop awareness and appreciation of different perspectives from other cultures, with an emphasis on developing speaking, reading, and writing skills in a language of their choosing. In their 11th and 12th grade years, students will commit to spending at least 50 hours learning another language and culture.

REFLECTIVE PROJECT

Students will identify an issue of interest related to their career-related study and explore the ethical dilemma associated with that issue. Students can choose to write a 3,000 word essay, or write a 1,500-2,000 word essay accompanied by an additional format, such as film, oral presentation, interview, play or display.

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year program

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Creativity, Action, Service highlights

Starting September of their 11th grade year, IB Diploma program candidates manage a personal portfolio of experiences that they complete over 18 months. Creativity, action and service experiences meet at least one of seven IB reflective outcomes and encourage students to be actively engaged with their communities and in issues of global significance. Students also complete at least one CAS Project over the course of their portfolio.

Making science fun and excitingSara Neal, Communications staff2018-03-15T16:30:48-07:00