The International Baccalaureate (IB) is Harrison Preparatory School’s signature program.
Why offer the IB Program as a program of choice in the Clover Park School District?
Research shows that students participating in the MYP IB Program:
- Build confidence in managing their own learning;
- Learn by doing, connecting the classroom to the larger world;
- Outperform non-IB students in critical academic skills;
- Consistently have greater success in IB Diploma Program examinations;
- Thrive in positive school cultures where they are engaged and motivated to excel; and
- Develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to act as responsible citizens.
Linking the MYP to other IB programs
As of February 2015, Harrison is an authorized IB Diploma Programme School and will begin offering DP courses starting in the 2015-16 academic year. The IB Diploma Program is for students aged 16-19 (grades 11 and 12), and the MYP will serve as preparation for the internationally renowned DP program.
What is the Diploma Programme?
The DP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP Core. Each class is a 2-year continuous course at the end of which students take an exam. These courses teach students to think deeply about the subject matter and to see connections between all disciplines.
In addition to the six subject groups, students who commit to pursuing the full IB diploma will have access to the Core, comprised of a class called Theory of Knowledge (TOK) as well as participating in Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay (EE). Through the DP Core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and develop projects that reflect their understanding of Creativity, Action, and Service.
Diverse Learning: Students take at least 50 hours of coursework in the following eight subjects to learn about the importance of all disciplines.
- Language acquisition (Spanish starting in sixth-grade)
- Language and Literature (English)
- Mathematics
- Arts (Choir and Visual Arts)
- Design (Technology)
- Sciences
- Individuals and Societies (Social Studies)
- Physical and Health Education
Who can take DP courses?
The DP is open to any student aged 16 to 19 at schools, like Harrison Preparatory that have been authorized to implement the program, provided that they’ve taken and been successful in all prerequisite courses.
Students will have two options within the Diploma Programme:
- To become a Diploma Candidate and possibly earn an IB diploma in addition to the CPSD high school diploma; or
- To become a Certificate Candidate. These options allow for some flexibility depending on the level of challenge that a student wants to undertake.