IB Diploma Programme

Statistically IB Students:

• Are more engaged in high school
• Enter college/university at higher rates than their non-IB peers
• Graduate college/university sooner and in higher rates than their non-IB peers
• Are accepted to premier colleges and universities at higher rates than their non-IB peers

One advantage for students taking IB courses is the potential ability to earn college credit. Each college and university has its own policy regarding how they recognize IB examinations and scores when issuing college credit. 

Through the Diploma Programme, we work to develop students who:

• Have both an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
• Flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically
• Study at least two languages
• Excel in traditional academic subjects
• Give back to their community in an extensive Creativity, Activity, and Service Project
• Conduct an extensive collegiate level research paper in their Extended Essay
• Explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique Theory of Knowledge course

In all IB courses there are a number of internal and external assessments throughout that year. These assessments focus on performance tasks that  include, but are not limited to:

• Essays
• Structured problems
• Short-response questions
• Case-study questions
• Oral work in languages
• Laboratory work in the sciences
• Artistic performances

While the internal assessments happen at different times for each course throughout the year, external assessments take place in May of each year and are standardized assessments moderated by readers across the world. Students register for their assessments in the fall.

University of California

Each UC campus determines how to apply credit from IB courses and assessment. Contact the admissions office of specific campuses to find out exactly what and if credit will be awarded. UC awards students who complete the IB diploma with a score of 30 or above with 30 quarter (20 semester) units toward their UC degree. Students who receive IB certificates with scores of 5, 6 or 7 on Higher Level exams will receive 8 quarter (5.3 semester) units.

• UC San Diego
• UC Los Angeles
• UC Irvine
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Davis

California State University

Each CSU campus determines how to apply credit from IB courses and assessments. Contact the admissions office of specific campuses to find out exactly what and if credit will be awarded. Below is a general chart for reference and guidance created by The California State University system.

• International Baccalaureate and CSU
• Cal State San Marcos