The International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is another way to get a head start on college. IB is a two-year program. Students can get a full IB diploma or just certificates in certain classes. To get the full diploma, you must complete classes in six areas: English, a foreign language, humanities/social science (courses such as philosophy, economics, psychology, geography and history), experimental sciences (subjects such as biology, chemistry and physics), math, and arts and electives.
The requirements also include a 4,000-word essay in any chosen subject; a minimum of 150 hours over a year and a half in "Creativity, Action, Service" (CAS), which encompasses artistic pursuits, sports, and community service; and a "Theory of Knowledge" course, which focuses on the development of critical thinking.
Tough? No doubt. But students who complete the IB diploma requirements can enter some colleges with sophomore standing.
Kentucky has five high schools that offer the IB program:
- Apollo High School-Owensboro
- Atherton High School-Louisville
- Holmes High School-Covington
- Sacred Heart Academy-Louisville
- Tates Creek High School-Lexington
