International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate
Anticipated Fall 2011
Founded in 1968, the International
Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma Program is an
academically-rigorous University preparatory
program that runs
through the junior and senior
years of high school. The
program aims to develop critical
thinking skills, research skills,
and international-mindedness: an
ability to respect those different
from oneself, and a desire to
make a difference in the world.
The IB Diploma Program is well
recognized and respected by
U.S. universities, as well as
institutions abroad. Many institutions
give advanced standing
and credit to IB students. IB
students have also been shown
to have a college admissions
advantage over non-IB students:
» Download the IB Application
| School: | All Applicants: | IB Diploma |
| Brown University | 17% | 21.6% |
| College of William and Mary | 37% | 66.4% |
| Cornell University | 28.5% | 51% |
| Dartmouth College | 20.7% | 33.3% |
| Harvard University | 11% | 14.8% |
| Johns Hopkins University | 35% | 68.8% |
| MIT | 16.9% | 26.2% |
| US Air Force Academy | 12.1% | 68.4% |
| US Naval Academy | 11.7% | 45% |
| University of Chicago | 41.6% | 59.1% |
| University of Michigan | 49% | 72.7% |
| Villanova University | 14.5% | 89.4% |
| Wellesley | 47% | 83.3% |
| Yale University | 13% | 18.9% |
*Note: Acceptance rates for all applicants were provided by each respective institution. Acceptance rates for IB applicants based on self-reported survey of over 5000 IB students in the US entering colleges as freshmen during fall, 2002.
Full Diploma Program
Students take IB courses in six core areas of study: Language A1 (English), Individuals and Societies (History), Mathematics, The Arts (Theatre Arts), Experimental Sciences (Biology), and Second Language (Spanish). Core courses offered in Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). All HL courses run over two years. SL courses may run over one or two years
Students participate in a two-year Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. TOK is a philosophy course that focuses on how knowledge is acquired in different disciplines. It serves to form connections between the six core courses in which students will be participating.
Students participate in a Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) Program. Over two years, students will participate in and reflect on a variety of activities that are creative, action-oriented, and serviceoriented, including at least one long-term project.
Students write a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE), a mini-thesis on a topic of their choice. Working closely with a mentor, students conduct research and compose an essay for submission to IBO.
All IB courses culminate with examinations that are scored by an external examiner. A passing grade in an IB course is determined based on a combination of internal (in-class) assessments and external examinations taken at the end of the junior and/or senior year.
If a NDA freshman is preparing to enter the Diploma Program, here is the recommended four-year plan:
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade (example) | 12th Grade (example) |
| Honors English 1 | Honors English 2 | IB English (HL) | IB English (HL) |
| Honors World History | A.P. Psychology | A.P./IB History (HL) | IB History (HL) |
| Honors Spanish 1 (or higher) | Honors Spanish 2 (or higher) | Honors Spanish 3 (or higher) | IB Spanish (SL) |
| Honors Math 1 (or higher) | Honors Math 2 (or higher) | IB Mathematics | IB Mathematics |
| Honors Biology (recommended) | Honors Chemistry (recommended) | IB Biology (HL) | IB Biology (HL) |
| Speech and Drama 1 | Speech and Drama 2 (recommended) | IB Theatre Arts (SL) | IB Theatre Arts (SL) |
| Theory of Knowledge | Theory of Knowledge | ||
| Theology | Theology | Theology | Theology |
| Health/PE | Computer Apps/Elective | Elective | Government/Elective |
NDA is moving quickly forward with the appointment of an IB Coordinator, Mrs. Christine Knaggs, as well as the training of IB teachers:
Mrs. Laura Gallaher attended IB training in Florida for Theory of Knowledge.
Mr. Joseph Gerhardinger attended training in Atlanta for IB Mathematics.
Mrs. Susie Huffman attended training in Atlanta for IB History.
Mrs. Christine Knaggs attended training in Houston for IB Coordination, and will be attending training in Florida for IB Biology.
Mrs. Trish Sanders attended training in Germany for IB Theatre Arts.
Mrs. Beth Strbik attended training in Atlanta for IB Spanish.
Mrs. Lindsey Sutton attended IB training in Florida for IB English.
Mrs. Cheryl Pryor will attend training for the Creativity Action Service (CAS) component, Mrs. Adrian Meier will attend training for IB Counseling, and Mrs. Ruthi Mitchell will attend training for IB Librarians.
Students will be encouraged to participate in the Full Diploma Program, as the program is designed to embrace an interdisciplinary, international, and action-oriented philosophy. However, students can also opt to take individual IB courses, and earn certificates for each course taken.
Implementation Schedule
Date Activity Explanation
Oct. 1, 2009 Application A Due NDA demonstrates the resources to implement IB and has a strategic plan.
Apr. 1, 2010 Application B Due IB teachers submit course outlines and strategic plan refined.
Fall 2010 Authorization Visit IB team visits school to witness readiness and ability to implement IB for the following school year.
Spring 2011 Authorization Decision IBO makes final decision regarding NDA status to become an IBO World School.
Fall 2011 Anticipated IB Program Start Students participate in the IB Diploma Program and take IB courses.
