Catherine LaRocco
IB Diploma Program Coordinator
clarocco@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
540-582-3882 | ext. 5481
IB at SHS
The International Baccalaureate Program at Spotsylvania High School is a four-year program beginning in the 9th grade. Students in the ninth and tenth grade cohorts take a sequence of courses designed to prepare them for the rigor of the eleventh and twelfth grade IB courses. A sample course sequence shows the IB four-year scope and sequence of courses taken throughout the program.
To understand differences and similarities among the International Baccalaureate, Commonwealth Governor's School, and Advanced Placement programs, please review this comparison chart.
Ninth Grade
Students are enrolled in SCPS courses that have been specifically chosen to prepare students for the rigors and assessments of the IB Diploma Program. Six of the classes must relate to the IB program. The other two courses may relate but this is not a requirement.
**Students must complete Level One of their chosen language and at least Algebra I prior to entering the ninth grade**
Group | Subject | Course List |
|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Language & Literature | Honors English 9 |
Group 2 | Language Acquisition | French II or III |
Group 3 | Individuals and Societies | Virginia & US History |
Group 4 | Experimental Sciences | Honors Biology |
Group 5 | Mathematics | Geometry |
Group 6 | Arts and Electives | Art I |
Additional Requirement | Health/PE | Health/PE 9 |
Elective | Elective Course | Elective Course at SHS |
Tenth Grade
Students are enrolled in SCPS courses that have been specifically chosen to prepare students for the rigors and assessments of the IB Diploma Program. Six of the classes must relate to the IB program. The other two courses may relate but this is not a requirement.
Group | Subject | Course List |
|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Language & Literature | Honors English 10 |
Group 2 | Language Acquisition | French III or IV |
Group 3 | Individuals and Societies | AP Government |
Group 4 | Experimental Sciences | Chemistry |
Group 5 | Mathematics | Honors Algebra II |
Group 6 | Arts and Electives | Art II |
Additional Requirement | Health/PE | Health/PE 10 |
Elective | Elective Course | Elective Course at SHS |
Diploma Program - Eleventh and Twelfth Grade
The list below indicates those courses currently taught in the IB Program at SHS in each course of study. During the 11th and 12th grade, IB Diploma students must complete one course in each area of study; at least 3 (but no more than 4) must be at Higher Level (HL). The remaining courses are studied at Standard Level (SL). Most Diploma Program courses at SHS are two-year courses. There are some that are one-year courses.
Group | Subject | Course List |
|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Language & Literature | Language and Literature HL |
Group 2 | Language Acquisition | Spanish B SL |
Group 3 | Individuals and Societies | History of Europe HL ( |
Group 4 | Experimental Sciences | Biology HL |
Group 5 | Mathematics | Mathematics Applications and Interpretations SL |
Group 6 | Arts and Electives | Visual Arts SL/HL |
Additional Requirement | -- | Theory of Knowledge/Creativity |
Elective | Elective Course | Elective Course at SHS |
**Higher Level (HL) indicates a minimum requirement of 240 instructional hours. Standard Level (SL) indicates a minimum requirement of 150 instructional hours. **