International Baccalaureate

Education for Life

On July 13, 1998 Quartz Hill High School joined the prestigious International Baccalaureate Organization, which offers academically talented and motivated high school students an opportunity to earn an international recognized diploma. Eight countries are home to over 700 participation IB schools with nearly 300 of those schools in the United States. Quartz Hill High School is proud to be one of only forty-two high schools in California to offer the IB Diploma Program.

At Quartz Hill High School, 9th and 10th grade students may apply to participate in a two year Pre-International Baccalaureate Program. This program offers a rigorous college-preparatory courses in five academic disciplines: English, foreign language, science, mathematics, and social studies. The Pre-International Baccalaureate Program is the honors program at QHHS.

Students in the 11th and 12th grades may then begin the IB Diploma Program in which students take courses and sit for examinations in six academic areas. Additionally, these students will complete 150 hours of creative, athletic, and social services activities; write an extended essay of original research; and take a Theory of Knowledge course which explores the nature of truth and how it is connected in various disciplines. The extended essay, TOK and CAS program take the place of the senior project required for graduation from the AVUHSD.

International Baccalaureate Curriculum

Language A1

 

Language A2 Individuals & Society

 

 

Experimental Mathematics

Science

The Arts & Electives

 

 

 

Why should an American high school student choose the IB?

 

To participate in the IB Program means taking part in a challenging, broad-based curriculum which opens a student to issues affecting the community and the world. Choosing this program allows students

  • To be prepared for a rigorous course of studies offered at he finest colleges and universities.
  • To earn college-credit and/or advanced standing at many colleges and universities.
  • To enhance chances of admission to those institutions.
  • To work toward earning an internationally recognized and acclaimed diploma.
  • To enhance a sense of community and international awareness.

 

IB Diploma Requirements

The IB curriculum is divided into Higher Level courses and Standard Level courses taken during grades 11 & 12. In order to achieve the full diploma, students must pass examinations in 3 but no more than 4 Higher Level courses. IB students at Quartz Hill High School will choose their own programs of Higher Level (HL) and Standards Level (SL) subjects from the following course offerings:

  1. English (HL only)
  2. Foreign language (SL only) in French and Spanish
  3. History (HL only)
  4. Science: Biology (HL only), Chemistry (SL only) & Physics (SL only)
  5. Mathematics (HL & SL)
  6. Electives: Art Design (HL & SL), Music (HL & SL), Psychology (SL only), Theater Arts (SL only) or an additional science.
  7. Theory of Knowledge (offered 2nd semester in the junior year and 1st semester in the senior year)

 

 

Additional Requirements for the Full Diploma

  1. The Extended Essay: 4,000 words in one of the six subject areas; student choice.
  2. CAS: A combined 150 hours of creative, athletic and social service activities.

 

Program Options at QHHS

  1. Full Diploma: Students meet all of the above requirements and are awarded a special diploma from IB. College recognition or credit per institutional policy.
  2. Certificates: Students take IB exams in selected subjects and are awarded a certificate from IB for each Higher or Standard Level exam passed. College recognition or credit per institutional policy.
  3. AP: Students take AP exams in selected subjects and receive college recognition or credit for each AP exam on which they achieve a qualifying score. Recognition or credits per institutional policy.

 

Acceptance into the Program

Admission to the program is based on grades, a writing test, standardized test scores and school recommendations. Students should be "A" or "B" students, test in the 65th percentile or higher in Reading and Mathematics, and have good work habits.

Incoming 9th graders may submit applications to the program in March of the preceding year. Applications request student grades in English and mathematics, a copy of the most recent STAR (Stanford 9) test results, and a writing test. Students register to take the writing test on a weekday after school.

Students in the 9th & 10th grade currently enrolled at QHHS may submit applications prior to each semester. The same entrance criteria apply for these students.

Students may enter the IB program at any time during their high school years. However, to be a full diploma candidate, the students must enter prior to the beginning of the 11th grade year.

 

 

 

International Baccalaureate

AND

Quartz Hill High School

 

The International Baccalaureate Program supports Quartz Hill High School’s Expected School-wide Learning Results.

Through a rigorous and relevant curriculum, Quartz Hill High School will prepare students to be…

 

Effective Communicators, who can read, write, speak and listen reflectively and critically, and who can receive, understand and interpret the messages of others.

 

Responsible, Active Citizens who display tolerance of others; who exhibit social skills and work ethics that reflect positive character development; who understand and use technology; and who have an appreciation of world cultures and art.

 

Innovative Producers who plan for the future by setting realistic and challenging goals; who create intellectual, artistic, practical and physical works; who understand and use technology; and who have an appreciation of world cultures and art.

 

Collaborative Workers who can adapt to various situations and problems and who use effective leadership and group skills while working with others.

Further information

 

Mrs. Barbara Willibrand, Principal

Quartz Hill High School

6040 W. Ave. L

Quartz Hill, CA 93536

(661) 718-3100

 

Mrs. Kathleen Parks, IB Coordinator

Quartz Hill High School

(661) 718-3100 ext. 159

kparks@avuhsd.k12.ca.us

visit the IB page at www.qhhs.org

 

 

International Baccalaureate Program

Quartz Hill High School

6040 W. Ave. L

Quartz Hill, CA 93536

The International Baccalaureate Program

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