Course Selection Presentation - Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School...•the STS Academic Program handout...

For Parents of Students Entering Grade 11

Course Selection Presentation

Course Selection Presentation

• Developing well-balanced students for a life of purpose by inspiring excellence in scholarship, leadership and character.

Opportunities and Support for Students

Through a strong focus on our Mission, students pursue their passions:

• Academics

• Round Square

• Athletics

• Fine Arts

• Speech and Debate

Teaching Excellence

• Kinsey and Company (2007 and 2011) reported that teachers are the single biggest factor in determining academic achievement by students

• This finding has been confirmed by other studies

What to Expect in Grades 11 and 12

• Course work becomes more intense

• Exam/quizzes are more frequent• Organization is KEY!!!!

– BLT time– Due dates – Talking to your teachers

• Driving to School: Expectations• Prefect Elections• University Tour

Borderless Learning Time (BLT)

Student Services - Model of Learning Support

Universal

Targeted

Specialized

Sample Grade 11 Course Selection

Grade 11 Full IB Student:1. IB English 2. IB Mathematics3. IB History 4. PE/Agencies5. IB Science #1 6. IB Spanish or IB French7. Theory of Knowledge8. One more IB Course: from 2nd IB Science, IB Economics, IB Visual Art, IB

Music, IB Theatre Arts

Sample Grade 11 Course Selection

Grade 11 Partial IB or non-IB Student:

1. English 20 or IB English

2. Mathematics 20 or IB Mathematics

3. Social Studies 20 or IB History

4. Any 20 level Science or IB Science

5. PE 20/Agencies

2 or 3 more courses IB or non-IB from fine arts, modern languages, science, IB Economics, Theory of Knowledge

IB at STS

The IB Diploma Programme

What is the Diploma Programme?

• The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging andbalanced programme of education with final examinations that preparesstudents, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. It hasbeen designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physicalwell-being of students. The programme, has gained recognition andrespect from the world’s leading universities.

IB DP @ STS: “Fast Facts”

• This is the 18th year of DP instruction at STS.

• Typically, 80% of STS students take at least one DP course in Grade 11.

• The DP Class of 2017 (Grade 12) has 64 students registered, including 13 Diploma Candidates. This is 76% of the Grade 12 class.

The DP Class of 2016

• 53 students registered in IB courses; 7 were “Full-IB” Diploma Candidates.

• All seven Diploma Candidates achieved an IB Diploma.

• Average grade of 5.62 (out of 7) in their subject areas (almost 15% higher than the world average).

• The average number of points earned by DP Candidates was 36, above the IB Diploma Admission Standard in all Canadian universities.

IB DP at STS: Three Options

IB Course Selection

Alberta Education

University Requirements

International Baccalaureate

IB Subject Groups

• IB Diploma Programme students must choose one subject from each of five groups (1 to 5), ensuring breadth of knowledge and understanding in their best language, additional language(s), the social sciences, the experimental sciences and mathematics. Students may choose either an arts subject from group 6, or a second subject from groups 1 to 5.

• SOURCE: http://www.ibo.org/diploma/curriculum/

Higher Level and Standard Level Courses

• At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL), while the other subjects are taken at Standard Level (SL).

• SOURCE: http://www.ibo.org/diploma/curriculum/

SSC Student ServicesProgress MeetingsAdvisor Peer TutoringTutorialsOne on one help

STS IB Subject Offerings

The Aim of the IB Diploma Programme

• The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

The IB Learner Profile

• IB Learners strive to be:

Benefits of the IB Diploma Programme

• ACADEMIC

IB is rigorous preparation for post-secondary education.

IB HL credits can be recognized as first year university credits.

• INTELLECTUAL

In-depth immersion in IB subject courses is intellectually stimulating.

• PERSONAL

Your world-view broadened and your self-reflection is deepened.

It is a personal accomplishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to write Alberta Diploma Exams if I write DP Final Exams?

YES

• Do I earn Alberta Education credits if I am registered in IB courses?

YES

• Can I be “Full IB” and select my own course preferences?

YES, within the IB course regulations

• Can I take three DP Sciences as a Full IB student at STS?

NO

University CounsellingMs. Jana-Lynn Caines

University Requirements

• Most universities calculate an admission average based on English and four other courses.

• Each university may have slightly different requirements for similar course programs.

• The other four courses may be specified for particular programs; whereas, for many programs there is more flexibility.

Application to US Universities

• Most US schools expect students to produce either an ACT or SAT result.

• Selective schools will want to know that a student is completing the most rigourous program available at their high school.

• Students will need to write essays, obtain reference letters, and support their applications through evidence of extra-curricular excellence.

Course Selection Process

Please refer to:

• the STS Academic Program handout

• the Grade 11 Course Selection Instructions

• the Course Descriptions Booklet

• Course Selections will be done online – a link will be emailed to students.

• Please submit course choices by March 13, 2017. No changes will be permitted between March 13 and June 1, 2017 and after that, if space permits.

For Parents of Students Entering Grade 11

Course Selection Presentation