INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMME

LOCATED AT COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL

Columbia High School is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School, currently offering the
Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 9 and 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) and Careerrelated Programme (CP) for grades 11 and 12. Columbia High School accepts applications from rising
9th grade students who want to pursue MYP courses. Columbia also accepts applications from rising
juniors who want to pursue the IB Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme.
The International Baccalaureate Mission Statement: The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
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 IBO works with schools,
governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education
and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active,
compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences can also be
right. (IBO.org)
IB Middle Years Programme
All Columbia High School 9th and 10th grade students are participants in the MYP. All 9th and 10th
grade students complete 8 subjects each year including Language and Literature (English), Language
Acquisition (French, German, or Spanish), Mathematics, Science, Individuals and Societies (History),
Physical Education, Fine Arts, and Design. Students who have successfully completed the 8th grade at
the Academy for Science and Foreign Language may automatically transfer to Columbia High School to
continue the MYP. Other Huntsville City Schools students interested in participating in the IB Programme
may apply for acceptance through Huntsville City Schools.
The curriculum at Columbia High School follows the Alabama course of study for successful completion of
the graduation requirements. The curriculum will continue to be aligned with Huntsville City Schools
benchmarks and standards. The delivery and assessment of that information will reflect the learning
objectives and interdisciplinary approach required by MYP.
All MYP students are encouraged to consider the Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme as a
possibility in their academic plan. Please be advised there are requirements for a student to be eligible to
be considered for the Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme.
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme provides a holistic education with emphasis on international understanding,
critical thinking, and application of what is learned in the classroom to real world issues and problems,
and development of genuine language skills. It is recognized internationally for its academically rigorous

curriculum and viewed as qualification for university entrance. The DP consistently surpasses standard
high school diplomas in university acceptance rates.
The curriculum includes six subject area:
Language A Language and Literature (English)
Language B (Spanish, German, or French)
Individuals and Society (History of the Americas)
Sciences (Biology; Sports, Exercise and Health Science; and Chemistry)
Mathematics (Mathematics, Math Studies, and Extended Math)
IB Elective: Music, Art, or Psychology
Students MUST complete ONE course from each subject area and have THREE Higher Level (HL)
courses and THREE Standard Level (SL) courses to be an IB Diploma Program candidate. In addition to
the six subjects, three other requirements must be fulfilled:
Theory of Knowledge course (challenges students to reflect critically on how they know what
they believe to be facts or the truth)
Creativity, Action, and Service (requires 18 months of meaningful volunteer experiences outside
of school to include creativity, action, and service hours)
Extended Essay (independent research culminating in a 4,000-word, structured research essay)
Students interested in applying for the Diploma Programme should do so their 10th grade year. Students
must meet the following requirements and demonstrate the following characteristics.
Maintain a grade of 70 or higher in each core and foreign language course.
Maintain an un-weighted 3.0 GPA in core classes including foreign language
IB Career-related Programme
The IB Career-related Programme (CP) is an innovative education framework for students incorporating
the vision and educational principles of the IB into a unique programme specifically tailored for students
who wish to engage in career learning. The aim of the CP is to provide students with both an academic
and practical foundation to support both their studies and specialized training, thereby ensuring their
success in the workforce.
The IBCP framework is built around three interconnected elements. Students must participate in the
following courses:
At least two Diploma Programme courses (Students may choose from any DP core subject, but is
recommended the course be a higher level if students want to pursue college credit for their
coursework.)
A CP core that includes approaches to learning, community and service, language
development and a reflection project (ethics)
An approved career-related study (computer electronics, health science, or engineering)
completed during the junior and senior years

Other courses needed for graduation purposes

Students interested in applying for the Career- related Programme should do so their 10th grade year
and must maintain a 2.75 GPA in core classes including foreign language.

International Baccalaureate
Located At Columbia High School
COURSES
Course #

20002
2aa
20002
2
27002
9
27002
9aa
27004
9
27004
9aa
27016
0
27016
0aa
27015
9
27015
9aa
23003
4
23003
4aa
22001
6
22001
6aa

Course Name

Credits

th
LANGUAGE A, HL, IB (11 )

1.0

th
LANGUAGE A, HL, IB (12 )

1.0

th
FRENCH, B, SL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
FRENCH, B, SL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

th
GERMAN, B, SL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
GERMAN, B, SL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

th
SPANISH, B, SL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
SPANISH, B, SL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

SPANISH AB INITIO, SL, IB/Year I (11

th

SPANISH AB INITIO, SL, IB/Year II (12

th

1.0
1.0

th
HISTORY I, HL, IB (11 )

1.0

th

1.0

HISTORY II, HL, IB (12

th
BIOLOGY, HL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
BIOLOGY, HL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

International Baccalaureate
Located At Columbia High School
COURSES
Course #

Course Name

22010
0
22006
6
22006
6aa
21002
8
21002
9
21002
9aa
28002
5
28010
5
23007
3

SPORTS, EXERCISE, AND HEALTH

SCIENCE, SL, IB

Credits

1.0

th
CHEMISTRY, SL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
CHEMISTRY, SL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

MATHEMATICAL STUDIES, SL, IB/Year I

(11th or 12th)

1.0

th
MATHEMATICS, SL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
MATHEMATICS, SL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

MUSIC, SL, IB/Year I (11th or 12th)

VISUAL ARTS, SL, IB/Year I (11th or 12th)
PSYCHOLOGY, SL, IB/Year I (11th or
12th)

1.0
1.0
1.0

23007
4
23007
4aa
23009
5
80211
1aa
80211
1ab
23009
3

th
PSYCHOLOGY, HL, IB/Year I (11 )

1.0

th
PSYCHOLOGY, HL, IB/Year II (12 )

1.0

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE, IB/Year I

(11th or 12th)

1.0

IB ENRICHMENT/Fall
IB ENRICHMENT/Spring
ETHICS APPROACHES TO LEARNING
(11th or 12th)

0.0
0.0
1.0