What are the educational advantages of earning the IB diploma?
· Challenging and exciting classes focusing on writing, critical thinking, communication and
ethics
· Rigorous and comprehensive education based on a global perspective
· A commitment to community and human welfare
· High standards of teaching required by the International Baccalaureate Organization
· High expectations of students and the development of full academic potential in all areas of
study
· Students do college-level work which teaches them about time management, research
methods and project development
· Participation in a community of scholars
· Possibility of entering college with advanced standing (college credits)
· Opportunity to earn universally recognized, world-class credentials. IB sets internationally-
recognized, world-class standards. Its six graduation exams and extended essay are authentic
assessments, externally reviewed by examiners from all over the world following an established
grading criteria – an exemplary model of standards-based education that is valid, trustworthy,
and does not discriminate by ethnicity or cultural background.
· Exceptional preparation for collegiate studies
· Colleges and universities across the globe recognize the IB Diploma not only for its high quality
of education, but also because IB students have proven to be very successful in college.
For whom is the IB Program designed?
The IB Program is designed for the academically able student who is eager to learn. This
student will display efficient time management skills, a high level of motivation, and a well-
considered balance between academic and social activities
Is the IB a four-year program?
Yes. The pre-IB training is a two-year program, and the IB itself is a two-year program.
Can my child take some IB courses without enrolling in the IB program, and can my child take the IB examination without enrolling?
No. IB courses and the IB examination are exclusively for the students enrolled in the IB
program.
Can my child transfer into the IB program?
No. The Pre-IB (9th & 10th grade) curriculum is set up to offer students the prerequisite
courses needed to enter the IB program (11th & 12th grade). Transfers may be granted to
students currently enrolled in another IB program, if the curriculum is similar to that which is
offered at Murphy High School.
Can IB students participate in extracurricular activities?
Yes. IB students are full-time students in the school and are encouraged to participate in any
activities offered.
How do Murphy IB students score on college entrance examinations?
For the period of 1999-2008 the average ACT score was 30.
To which colleges/universities have Murphy IB students been accepted?
Our graduates have been accepted to such prestigious schools as Harvard, Princeton,
Dartmouth, Amherst, Brown, Yale, Northwestern, MIT, Tulane, Rice, Vanderbilt, Rhodes,
Pennsylvania, Loyola, UCLA, Virginia, Washington & Lee, Florida, LSU, US Coast Guard
Academy, US Naval Academy, Auburn, Alabama, Springhill, UAB and South Alabama.
What are the costs involved?
See section on Fees.
How does the IB program differ from the Advanced Placement?
The Advanced Placement has a National Standard of Excellence, whereas the IB Program has
an International Standard of Excellence. AP provides students with the opportunity to select
individual courses while the IB provides a four-year comprehensive curriculum of college-level
work including the Theory of Knowledge course, the completion of the Extended Essay
research project, and the community service requirements. Both programs rely on externally
generatedand assessed exams; however, the AP exams are based on an in-depth knowledge
of specific concepts within a given subject area, while the IB exams are based on a broad,
general understanding of concepts and fundamental themes. In both programs, it is the
individualstudent's motivation and work ethic that will be the primary factors of a successful
high school career.
What if my child finishes the program but falls short of the overall score requirement to earn the IB diploma?
If the student's individual examination grades were good but s/he falls short of the overall score
required for the diploma, credit will be given for the individual courses passed, and the student
will receive IB certificates for each exam passed. Individual colleges and universities determine
credit awarded based on exam scores on a subject-by-subject basis.
For more information about the IB visit the International Baccalaureate Organization Home Page.