IB Programs

2collegewego
Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:19:09 +0000

We have both at my kids’ high school. I am rather disappointed with IB. My dd chose not to do it because she would have been held back in certain subjects (because you can’t start IB until grade 11). Also, in her foreign language class which was mixed AP and IB, the teacher said they would follow the AP curriculum because it was harder. Her current AP Chem class is considered the hardest course in the school.

Personally, while I appreciate the global emphasis, I dislike some of the philosophical underpinnings of IB.

That said, I don’t think it’s a bad program. I’m just not convinced it’s better than AP. I am pretty convinced that for my daughter (an excellent writer), IB would have been easier. The emphasis on IB seems to be writing and rhetoric. I am more concerned that anyone would think IB is more rigorous. I think it’s just different. (And yes, without ever taking an IB class, my dd took Calculus and took APs in English, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Languages and independent outside research in the humanities.)

By the way, I’m not really willing to argue this. I am just sharing my experience and yes, our local program is well-established.