American International School Kuwait January 2014

MISSION STATEMENTS
Our Mission Statement: AIS Kuwait inspires students to become critical thinkers and contributing world citizens through rigor and balance in a nurturing educational environment. IB Mission Statement: The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

THE MYP WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW

8 Subject Groups:
Language A Language B Mathematics Arts Humanities Technology Physical Education Sciences

Centered around:
The Areas of Interaction Community and Service The Personal Project

THE MYP OCTAGON

WHAT IS THE DP? The International Baccalaureate (IB) website states that

The Diploma Programme is a challenging twoyear curriculum, aimed at students aged 16 to 19, which leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the worlds leading universities.

http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/occ/guest/dpyyy_home.cfm?subject=dpyyy

THE DP THE NEXT STEP

6 Subject Groups:
Studies in Language and Literature Language Acquisition Individuals and Societies Sciences Mathematics The Arts

Centered around:
Theory of Knowledge Creativity Action Service The Extended Essay

THE DP HEXAGON

1. Studies in Language & Literature: English Literature English Language & Literature Arabic Language & Literature 2. Language Acquisition: Arabic B French B French Ab initio 3. Individuals and Societies: Business & Management Economics History Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS)

4. Sciences: Biology Chemistry Physics 5. Mathematics: Mathematics Mathematical Studies 6. The Arts: Visual Arts Theatre

THE SUBJECT GROUPS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

MYP Language A Humanities Technology Mathematics Arts Sciences Physical Education Language B

Subject Groups

DP

1. Studies in Language and Literature 2. Language Acquisition 3. Individuals and Societies 4. Sciences 5. Mathematics 6. The Arts

The Core
The Areas of Interaction Community and Service The Personal Project Theory of Knowledge Creativity, Action, Service The Extended Essay

A NATURAL TRANSITION

THE STRUCTURE OF THE DP

Full Diploma students take 6 classes 3 classes are at the Standard Level 3 classes are at the Higher Level 5 classes are taken from Groups 1 5 the 6th class is taken from Groups 1 6
In addition, students complete an Extended Essay commit to the Creativity, Action and Service programme engage in Theory of Knowledge

STANDARD VS. HIGHER ?

Standard
All classes are delivered in 150 instructional hours.

Higher
Extra classes are run (240 hours of instruction), driven solely by the content intended for those taking the Higher Level. Supplementary topics or themes are studied in addition to those studied at the Standard Level.

A prescribed number of topics or themes are studied.

Exams are geared toward the Standard Exams include Higher Level topics. In Level. In some cases, class work carries some cases, exams are weighted heavier. greater weight.

STANDARD DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Group 1 Group 2

English A1 French B

Group 3
Group 4 Group 5

History
Biology Mathematics

Group 6
Core

Visual Arts
TOK / CAS / EE

SL HL HL SL SL HL

All six areas of the DP hexagon are incorporated into the programme

HUMANITIES EMPHASIS
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

English A1 Arabic/French B History Biology Math Studies Economics

Group 4
Group 5 Group 3

HL SL HL SL SL HL

Core

TOK / CAS / EE

Students use Group 6 as an academic elective, in this case, studying two courses from Group 3

SCIENCE EMPHASIS Group 1 English A1

Group 2
Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 4 Core

SL

Arabic B/ French Ab Initio

Business and Management

SL
SL HL HL HL

Chemistry Mathematics Biology

TOK / CAS / EE

Students use Group 6 as an academic elective, in this case, studying two courses from Group 4

Highest Possible Score = 45

a 7 for each of the 6 courses = 42 3 points total for TOK and EE

has met minimum requirement for CAS

A Pass = 24 points
a total of 12 points on 3 Higher Level courses a total of 9 points on 3 Standard Level courses

a pass on TOK and EE

has met minimum requirement for CAS

GETTING THE GRADE

WHERE DOES AIS STAND?

We are above the world average in overall points and passing rate. The points scores are out of 45. Average DP points score worldwide (May 2013): 29.81 Average DP points score for AIS students (May 2013): 30 Passing rate worldwide (May 2013): 78.54% Passing rate at AIS (May 2013): 86.11% Our highest score in May 2013 was: 39

GROUP 1 - Language and Literature Arabic Language and Literature SL English Literature SL/HL English Language and Literature SL/HL

GROUP 2 Language Arabic B SL French B SL/HL French Ab initio SL

COURSES ON OFFER AT AIS

GROUP 3 - Individuals & Societies Economics SL/HL Business and Management SL/HL History SL/HL Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) GROUP 5 Mathematics Mathematical Studies SL Mathematics SL/HL

GROUP 4 Experimental Science Biology SL/HL Chemistry SL/HL Physics SL/HL

GROUP 6 Arts Visual Arts SL/HL Theatre SL/HL

THREE SCIENCES IN THE DP FULL DP STUDENTS

Engineering: Grade 10 Biology, DP Physics HL, DP Chemistry HL Medicine: Grade 10 Biology, DP Biology HL, DP Chemistry HL, ITGS (Grade 11), Physics (Grade 12) Check individual university requirements

A LOOK AT THE CORE

Theory of Knowledge Extended Essay CAS

Theory of Knowledge
Studied during both years of

the DP Assessed by the IB through a 1,500 word essay and oral presentation

THE CORE

Theory of Knowledge
Studied during both years of

the DP Assessed by the IB through a 1,500 word essay and oral presentation

The Extended Essay

Independently prepared research paper Started in DP1 and completed by September of DP2 4,000 words in length

THE CORE

Theory of Knowledge
Studied during both years of

the DP Assessed by the IB through a 1,500 word essay and oral presentation

CAS
Creativity, Action and Service 150 hours throughout Diploma Programme

The Extended Essay

Independently prepared research paper Started in DP1 and completed by September of DP2 4,000 words in length

THE CORE

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK)

How do we know something is true?
How do different disciplines justify knowledge?

CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE (CAS)

Students spend 50 hrs developing each of the three areas during their 2 years in the programme total of 150 hours

Creativity: any artistic / creative activity Action: any activity involving physical exertion (i.e. sport
teams or dance)

Service: any activity that involves doing something for

or with someone in the community a natural extension of Community and Service in the MYP

What it is A 4000 word research essay based on a research question or thesis requiring accurate research skills and offering a conclusion An independent endeavor A precursor to university level papers universities are looking for applicants who can write essays independently

THE EXTENDED ESSAY

This seems really hard!

IF the full Diploma Programme seems too hard then what?

The IB Diploma Certificate is separate from a high school diploma. Students can take individual courses, at the standard or higher levels, and receive individual certificates for each IB Diploma course Students do not need to take TOK, write an Extended Essay, or complete CAS ASK what individual universities require for DP Course students (IB websites at the end of presentation)

THE DP ADVANTAGE WHY SHOULD I TAKE DP COURSES? (AFTER AIS)

Universities give preferential treatment to DP applicants: top universities are targeting DP students for admission to their schools; they often offer early admission and university credit, or waive prerequisites GPA boost of 0.5 for a Standard Level Course, 1.0 for a Higher Level Course

THE DP ADVANTAGE WHY SHOULD I TAKE DP COURSES? (WHILE AT AIS)

Standard Level Courses are delivered in 150 instructional hours giving you one period of tutorial support per eight-day cycle for each standard level course DAY DAY DAY DAY DAY DAY DAY DAY
TIME

1
Warning Bell

2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
Warning Bell

7:35

7:40 to 8:35 8:40 to 9:40 9:40 to 9:55 9:55 to 10:55 11:00 to 12:00 12:00 to 12:30 12:35 to 1:30 1:35 to 2:30

Nutritional Break
C A G E C A G E

Lunch
E C A G E C A G

THE DP ADVANTAGE WHY SHOULD I TAKE DP COURSES? (WHILE AT AIS)

DP courses generally have smaller class sizes DP students are interested in the subjects they are taking, and they are high-achieving and motivated

If you take Three DP courses, you will have Supported Study in H block for extra time to complete course work
You could be exempted from taking the TOEFL test as an admission requirement for international students if you complete a DP English course (the Literature course is only available as a DP course)

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Registration fee (48KD one time fee unless you change programmes) the same registration fee for all students regardless of how many courses you take A fee for each of the exams (generally in the 31KD range) One course = 80KD fee one time in two years

ADMISSIONS ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE IB GRADUATE

Critical thinking skills Strong oral presentation skills Community engagement Reliable recommendations Maturity & responsibility Accepts challenges Strong academic preparation Valid GPA (because of the reliability of World Exams) Top student

Consistent performance
International standing Excellent research and writing skills

TESTIMONIALS ABOUT THE DIPLOMA PROGRAM

GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admission as the IB Diploma. If a student has to choose, choose the Diploma over protecting the GPA.
SOURCE: Admissions Director of Harvard University

The combination of critical thinking, research and writing skills learned in the IB program enables students to succeed in the university learning environment. Because of the skills they have learned, IB students provide leadership in classroom discussion and group learning. Statistics reflect this: IB students who registered directly into second year courses scored an average of 7% to 12% higher than their classmates.
SOURCE: University of British Columbia Website, 2006

"IB students perform well and do not fail or drop out"

SOURCE: The University of Dundee

Medical Schools noted that the service element in CAS provides an appropriate way for applicants to gain experience in the caring professions.
SOURCE: Study on IB recognition in Britain, IBO 2004

THE TOP UNIVERSITIES PURSUING DP GRADUATES

IB Diploma students are being consciously, if not aggressively, recruited by universities because universities are aware of the high quality skill set DP students have as they enter post-secondary education. Three examples in Canada are (the universitys worldwide rank according to Times Higher Education is in parentheses):
University of Toronto (21)

University of British Columbia (30) McGill (34)

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO IB POLICY

The IB diploma including English HL or SL is required for admission consideration. Mathematics HL or SL is required for programs requiring Calculus. Math Studies will not satisfy a math requirement. Applicants in their final year of the diploma will be considered with predicted results of 28 or higher. More competitive programs require higher predicted results. Transfer credit towards arts, science or commerce/management programs is granted for some IB higher level subjects with a final grade of 5 or higher. For more information refer to www.adm.utoronto.ca.

UC - SAN DIEGO IB POLICY

Students completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with a score of 30 or above will receive 30 quarter units (20 semester units) total toward their UC undergraduate degree. Students completing only IB certificates will be awarded 8 quarter units (51/3 semester units) for each IB Higher Level examination passed with a score of 5 or above. The University does not grant credit for certificates in Standard Level examinations. Higher Level examinations may be used by UC campuses to satisfy local general education or other major requirements. Students are advised to check with the individual UC campus to determine how general education and/or major requirements may be granted.

All recognition policy for all Canadian universities and many American universities are listed on the IBO website states have. See: http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/recognitionpolicy/index.cfm

DATA ON IB STUDENTS IN THE U OF FLORIDA SYSTEM

US University
University of Florida Virginia Polytechnic Institute James Madison University University of Virginia University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of California, Berkeley Florida State University George Mason University University of California, Irvine

Total Population Acceptance 58% 66 58

Diploma Candidate Acceptance 88.9 80.2 76.9

39
24 41 24 70

61.3
48.5 65.6 50.6 94.6

66
56

97.5
89.9

DP Advantage for Applying in the UK and Ireland Tariff Points

The possible tariff points are higher than those for A Levels or AP Exams.

WHERE DO AIS GRADUATES GO TO UNIVERSITY?

UNITED STATES Virginia Tech SUNY Buffalo University of Miami Boston University Temple University UC San Diego (as sophomores) University of Tulsa UC Berkeley

2013 AIS DP GRADUATES AND THEIR UNIVERSITIES

MIDDLE EAST American University of Beirut (as sophomores) American University of Kuwait (credit for IB courses)

EUROPE University of East Anglia Catholic University of Leuven Belgium NOTE Our graduates were accepted into many more universities; these were the places they chose for enrolment last year.

CANADA University of Toronto McGill University Queens University Dalhousie University

FINAL MESSAGE
There is nothing to lose if you try for the full diploma. If later you decide that you cannot do it, you can change to just taking courses. You can make some adjustments to your schedule after you start your program. You will also have other ways to show the universities how great you are. Take the SATs (or other college entrance exams) to make your chances of admission better. Listen to yourself, not other students. No other persons experience is like your own. It is a right of passage for DP students to try to frighten new students away from the program. If we did not believe that you can do it, we would not encourage you to sign up. However, if you decide not to try the DP at the beginning, you cannot go back and try to get in later. So make the decision now to give it your best try.

HOW TO FIND AN INSTITUTIONS POLICY http://www.ibo.org/country/US/index.cfm http://www.ibo.org/country/CA/index.cfm http://www.ibo.org/country/GB/index.cfm http://www.ibo.org/country

QUESTIONS AND PRESENTATION

If students or parents have questions beyond those we can answer at this presentation, please stop by room 209 or phone or email me. If you would like a copy of the presentation, I would be happy to forward it to you so you can visit some of the web addresses and review the programme further. The presentation will also be available on our blog.

REFERENCES
http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/occ/guest/mypxx_home.cfm?subject=mypxx www. natashascafe.com www.artandsoulcafe.org