The International Baccalaureate Diploma
Program offered through
Personalized Self Directed Learning (PSDL) at
St. Joseph has arrived.
St. Joseph
is now authorized to teach the International Diploma Program.
St. Joseph
is the FIRST and ONLY
PSDL school in the world offering the International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program.
The International
Baccalaureate Diploma Program is an internationally recognized
pre-university course of study for motivated students in grade 11 and
12. The Diploma Program
will offer students a unique educational experience emphasizing critical
thinking, intercultural understanding and exposure to a variety of
points of view. Graduates
of the Diploma Program are sought after by leading universities around
the world. Most offer the
Diploma Program graduate benefits ranging from partial course credit at
the university level to granting a Diploma Program graduate 2nd
year status.
The Diploma Program
was first created in 1968 and is now offered in 1597 schools worldwide.
The Diploma Program
curriculum model consists of six subjects along with a core component as
follows:
THE COURSE OFFERINGS AT ST. JOSEPH FOR
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
Mathematics,
Chemistry, World Literature, History of Europe,
French and Music.
As of September 2010, Biology
will also be offered.
These courses will
be taken over two years, concurrent, with the required Alberta Learning
curriculum. In addition
students will be required to complete the extended essay (an independent
research project), TOK (Theory of Knowledge, a course that stimulates
critical thinking), and CAS (Creativity Action Service. Students must
perform a required number of service hours benefiting the community as a
whole).
THE 2009/2010 SCHOOL YEAR
The 2009/2010
school year will be a “Pre
International Baccalaureate” year at St. Joseph
for our grade 10 students and it will be
“Year 1” for our grade 11
students commencing their IB studies.
Students interested
in taking the full
International Baccalaureate program are required to complete the
following courses during their grade 10 year:
English 10 IB Prep
(5 credits)
Social 10 IB Prep
(5)
Math 10 Prep
(3)
Math 10 Pure IB Prep
(5)
Science 10 IB Prep
(5)
French 20 IB Prep
(5)
Music 10 IB Prep
(5)
Music 20 IB Prep
(5)
Religion 15
(5)
Religion 25
(5)
Learning Strategies 15
(5)
LPD
(5)
CALM 20
(3)
CTR 1010
(1)
WHIMIS
(1)
Credit total:
63
Students not wishing to complete the
full International Baccalaureate Diploma are still eligible to take
select International Baccalaureate courses.
The select courses can be taken as long as the required grade 10
prerequisite is obtained.
Please see Mr. Filiplic for more information.
Grade 11 students
enrolled in IB courses will choose from the following:
Math 20 IB & Math 30 IB (Students taking
Math IB must do both courses)
Chemistry 20 IB & Chemistry 25 IB
(Students taking Chemistry IB must do both courses)
English 20-1 IB
French 30 IB
Social 20-1 IB
Music 30 IB
TOK (All IB students are automatically
enrolled in this course)
.
International Baccalaureate Program Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ's)
What is the International Baccalaureate Organization?
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is an
independent nonprofit educational foundation based in Geneva,
Switzerland. It offers to schools three programs: the Diploma
Program in the final two years of high school. Please
visit the IBO website at
www.ibo.org for
extensive information about the organization and its programs
When is St. Joseph authorized to offer the IB
programs?
We are currently in the application process with the IB World
School. We will potentially begin to offer the program
(MYP) in September 2009 for all High School levels.
Are there entrance requirements?
No, all students are welcomed into both the PYP and MYP program.
We've heard that the IB programs are elitist and
serve only a privileged population. Is this true?
No, although the Diploma Program in particular is designed for
highly motivated academically minded students. The IBO is
committed to making an IB education accessible to students from
all types of backgrounds.
We've heard that there is a lot of extra work with
the IB program. Is this true?
No. The program is taught well within the 950 hours of
instruction mandated by Alberta Education.
Are IB programs only for honors or gifted students?
No. The IBO permits IB authorized schools to implement their
programs in ways that best meet their local needs. More
information is forth coming.
Are there tuition fees?
There are no tuition fees. The only fees are those that cover
learning resources, technology, agenda books. The only
other costs are those associated with field trips and bus passes
should students take either the yellow bus or Edmonton Transit.
.
Welcome everyone to a brand new school year.
2009-2010
St. Joseph high school’s 79th and our first as an IB
World School!
It has been a very busy time for the students and faculty
involved with the IB program as we begin the IB journey with our
first cohort of students.
Currently we have 25 students registered in year 1 of the IB
program. These
students are working toward their IB certificates and
examinations which will commence in May of 2011.
We are also very pleased to announce we have 70 grade 10
students registered in our IB Prep courses.
These students will comprise our second cohort of IB
students who will be writing their examinations in May of 2012.
All current IB students assembled in the K of C Theatre for an
official welcome and orientation from Mr. Turcotte and the IB
faculty on September 28.
Students were given the opportunity to reflect on what
being an IB student means and how their studies will prepare
them for a better tomorrow.
A real sense of pride and spirit was initiated amongst
the students and faculty as this was the first time all of us
were gathered together.
The faculty was very pleased to present special IB
lanyards to the students to mark the occasion.
The IB faculty comprises of:
Mr. Brad Koshka, IB Administrative contact
Mr. Ferdinand Filiplic, Coordinator and Math Instructor
Mrs. Kathy Solomon-Marjan, English Instructor
Mrs. Ermnia Fuerderer, French Instructor
Mrs. Rachel MacLeod, History Instructor
Mr. Nathan Koelmans, Chemistry Instructor
Mr. Nick Palladino, Math Instructor
Mr. Greg Dewing, Music Instructor
Mrs. Jen Vandendooren, Teacher Librarian
Mr. Greg Hopchin, Counsellor
Ms. Danielle Proulx, English Instructor (Fall 2010)
Ms. Anisha De Souza, Biology Instructor (Fall 2010)
Please feel free to contact any of the IB faculty with any
questions, concerns or comments.
Think Globally.
Act Locally.
Think IB!
