International Baccalaureate Program

Welcome to the Lexington County School District One International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. Thank you for taking the time to consider our program and the many benefits that it presents for your future. We are proud to offer the world-class IB Diploma Program to 11th and 12th grade students from all schools in the district. The IB Diploma Program is housed at Lexington High School, an authorized IB World School and a Lexington One Center for Advanced Study. The Lexington One IB Program has a history of preparing students for the challenges of college and a track record of having graduates attend top-tier colleges and universities.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of study that meets the needs of highly motivated high school students in their Junior and Senior years. The IB curriculum focuses on high academic standards, international understanding and citizenship, and second language proficiency.

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Benefits

"US universities evaluate academic grades in the context of a student’s high school curriculum and its degree of rigor. The two-year IB Diploma Program is widely regarded as an academically demanding syllabus, and one that provides excellent preparation for college level coursework. ... One thing is for sure; by taking the IB Diploma, you automatically rise to the top of the admissions pool. US colleges love good grades, but what they love even more is to see that you’ve pushed yourself to get them. Universities appreciate the IB’s rigor and they know it takes hard work and dedication to perform well, particularly in Higher Level (HL) subjects." (IB Student Acceptance Rate at the Top-25 US Universities/Colleges - Crimson Research Institute Study)

IB Program examinations are able to earn college credits at most South Carolina universities. Use the link to determine the exam equivalency for each IB exam. Please note that South Carolina colleges and universities reserve the right to review their admissions policies annually. The most accurate information will always be directly from the University.

Diploma Information

Mission

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. (Source: IBO)

Choosing Pre-IB (Rising 9th and 10th Grade)

In helping prepare students for potential enrollment in the IB Diploma Program (starting in the 11^th grade), a series of recommended and preferred courses for 9^th and 10^th grade students has been generated in consultation with the Counseling & Advisement team and the teachers of the IB Diploma Program. Some of these courses, uniquely named “Pre-IB”, are designed as preparatory courses for the IBDP and are a good indicator of potential future success within the IB Diploma Program. It is, however, not required for students to enroll in “Pre-IB” courses during 9^th and 10^th grade in order to enroll in the IBDP nor is enrollment in “Pre-IB” courses binding.'

Rising 11th Grade

As one of Lexington One's Advanced Centers of Study the IB Diploma Program is an open-enrollment opportunity for any rising-11th grade student. Students may choose to enroll in the IB Program up to the first day of classes their 11th grade year, however it is strongly suggested to register for the IB Program by June 1 of the 10th grade year to assure maximum time for summer assignments. It is acceptable, and common, for students to register for the IB Program after their 10th grade IGP has been completed.

How do I get the prestigious IB Diploma?
Step 1 - Choose 3 HL-Level courses (HL History, HL Literature, HL Science)

Step 2 - Choose 2 SL-Level courses (SL Math, SL World Language)

Step 3 - Choose 1 additional IB Elective course (In-Person: HL Economics or HL Psychology OR Virtual [by application]: SL Film, HL Business Management, SL Business Management, SL Philosophy)

Step 4 - Enroll in TOK course, complete an Extended Essay, complete CAS Portfolio

Step 5 - Achieve 24 total points on IB Examinations (Exams each scored 1 to 7)

What if the IB Diploma Program is not for me?

The IB Program is best when taken in its totality. The IB has established a reputation of excellence with most colleges and universities in the United States. Furthermore, the IB has proven that students enrolled in the full IB Diploma have a far greater chance to go to and succeed in college. However, a student enrolled in a single pair of IB courses (called a DP Course/Certificate Student) also has a higher chance of postsecondary success when compared to the US National Average and all students in non-IB courses. We offer students the opportunity to take IB courses in pairs (Math/Science, History/Literature, World Language/Elective) or as a collection of humanities courses (History/Literature/World Language/Elective).

Summer Assignments

Please see the following list of Summer Assignments.

Summer assignments for the upcoming summer are posted by June 15 each year. If it is before June 15, please check back after that date. Summer assignments are created by teachers, and may or may not be the same as the year prior.

(IB Seniors - Class of 2025)

Group 1 (Language-A – Literature)
HL Literature - Summer Assignment

IB Core (CAS)
Complete a minimum of 3 CAS Experience Reflections during the 2024 Summer, one from each of the CAS Strands (Creativity, Activity, and Service). Please make sure to use the CAS Experience Reflection Form attached below. A different CAS Experience Reflection Form should be used for each experience. The 3 CAS Experience Reflections will be due to the Official Submissions Schoology course during the first week of the 2024-2025 school year.

CAS Experience Reflection Form

(IB Juniors - Class of 2026)

Group 1 (Language-A – Literature)
HL Literature - Summer Assignment

One of the advantages of the IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific.Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admission
Duke University

When you sign up your child to be in the IB diploma program, you are not signing up to see how many credits they are going to get in their freshman year of college. You are signing up to see how well can we develop critical thinking skills, how well can we educate your child in all facets of education.Cathy Crocker, Former Principal and Head of IB Program
Mount Vernon High School (Fairfax County, Virginia)

Housed at Lexington High School

Authorized IB World School (#002830)

Registration Guide

Complaints or Student Appeals

FAQs

District Annual Report

Program Statistics Report

Dr. Jason Blackburn

IB Diploma Program
Coordinator

jblackburn@lexington1.net

803-821-3540

Office Hours by Appointment

Please email jblackburn@lexington1.net to inquire about meetings. Please also consider attending an IB-interest meeting to learn more about the IB Program.

International Baccalaureate Program

Housed at Lexington High School

Authorized IB World School (#002830)

Dr. Jason Blackburn

IB Diploma Program Coordinator

IB Diploma Program
Coordinator