The International Baccalaureate program (IB) began as a way to accommodate systemized education for children of diplomats. The program has developed to insure that students will have a well-rounded liberal arts education. This program is more demanding and rigorous than the regular scholars program indicated by Metropolitan Board of Education.

Students become diploma candidates in their junior year. A diploma candidate will take four years of English, mathematics. social studies, science, foreign language and the elective sixth group. At least three of the subjects must be completed at the higher level (HL), but no more than four may be HL while three maximum and two minimum may be standard level (SL). Hillwood offers HL in English, History of the Americas, biology. The SL classes are mathematics (calculus based or statistics based), foreign language, psychology, art, music. Diploma candidates also complete 150 hours of combined creativity, action and service as well as completing a Theory of Knowledge class (open only to diploma candidates) during their senior year.

Students who do not choose to complete the diploma may take the required class and earn a certificate in any of the subjects by registering and completing the internal and external assignments as designated by IB. The HL certificates are most certainly worth college credit while SL certificates may not be accepted.

Students and parents have a variety of reasons for choosing the IB path. The curriculum is strong; the students are with students who are similarly motivated and talented; the program is equivalent to that of a magnet school (many states have the IB as magnet schools) but also within a more diverse environment.

For Additional Information:

Contact IB Coordinator, Dr. Donna Harper, at donna.harper@mnps.org or call (615) 353-2025, extension 2305.

Click here to go to the Official International Baccalareate Web Site.