The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme offers highly motivated students the opportunity to earn an internationally recognized IB Diploma. The International Baccalaureate Organization is a worldwide consortium of schools offering a comprehensive program that emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, rigorous academic standards, international-mindedness, and a holistic approach to student learning. Students who enroll in the program will take an intensive, highly structured curriculum in their junior and senior years. More information about the International Baccalaureate organization is available at www.ibo.org. Specific details about the program at MTHS is available at https://bit.ly/mtibinfo.
Information for Rising 9th and 10th Graders:
While the IB program is exclusively for 11th and 12th graders, 9th and 10th graders interested in the program have special scheduling considerations. A minimum expectation of students entering the IB program is an average of 85 percent in each of the disciplines (math, science, social studies, English, world languages, and the arts). Students enrolling in the IB program will need as a prerequisite a minimum of three years of a World Language (German, French or Spanish); meaning they must have taken a language in middle school and continued that study with level 2 and 3 during the freshman and sophomore year respectively. Freshman and Sophomores interested in IB should consider taking graduation requirements such as Health before their junior year to allow more flexibility in scheduling for their junior and senior years. Students should have completed Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry. Health credits could be earned through summer school; Personal Financial Literacy is also offered as a summer school course or could be satisfied by taking IB Economics.
Students apply to the program in December of their sophomore year. The application process is not intended to discourage students from entering IB, but to ensure incoming students understand the rigors, expectations, and intents of the IB program and to assess each candidate’s level of preparation for the program. Applications will include a review of student transcripts, teacher recommendations, parental statement of intent, an essay, and an interview with IB faculty.
Information for Rising 11th Graders:
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Manheim Township High School is a cross-curricular program designed to allow students to earn the IB Diploma. Students who have applied and been accepted into the MTHS IB Diploma program will be given priority during scheduling; however, any student who meets the criteria for entrance into the program may elect IB courses. Non-diploma students should also select a traditional course as an alternate because there will only be a limited number of spots available in the IB courses. Students accepted into the diploma program are strongly encouraged to consult the IB Coordinator regarding their course selections.
Completion of the IB Diploma
Many students are actively involved in the IB program without pursuing the full IB diploma. For those interested in attaining the diploma, there are many ways students can fulfill the full requirements. Students intending to complete the diploma should develop a two-year plan that ensure completion of six IB designated courses, of which at least three and no more than four are taken at the higher level. Diploma candidates must have IB English, IB History, IB Mathematics, an IB World Language, an IB Science, and one additional IB subject area class. Additionally, diploma candidates must take the Theory of Knowledge course and complete the Creativity, Activity, and Service requirements.
International Baccalaureate Schedule
Students enrolling in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Manheim Township typically take two-year courses in IB English, IB History (History of the Americas and Current World Topics), IB Mathematics, and a second language (German, French, or Spanish). Additionally, most students may take a one-science course (IB Physics, IB Biology, IB Chemistry), and a sixth IB course: either IB Economics, IB Music, IB Visual Arts, or a second IB science course. Some students choose to pursue a two-year higher level Science track. All diploma students will also take a two-semester IB course, Theory of Knowledge, in spring of their junior year and fall of their senior year.
The schedule may be adapted to individual student needs and interests. Some students opt to take a two-year higher-level science course in lieu of or in addition to taking a higher level second language. Some accelerated students may choose an accelerated math track. Diploma students are strongly encouraged to consult with the IB Coordinator to ensure they have a plan that fulfills all diploma requirements.
IB Theory of Knowledge - Part 1
Grade 11, #IBO001, ½ credit, weight 1.10, 4 periods (S-Spring)
Students pursuing the IB diploma enroll in The Theory of Knowledge course for spring of their junior year and fall
of their senior year. Theory of Knowledge is central to the educational philosophy of the International Baccalaureate program. It utilizes an interdisciplinary approach with the aim of developing coherence in learning and knowledge. It challenges students to reflect on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, to understand and empathize with the viewpoints of others, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society. It encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to consider the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.
IB Theory of Knowledge - Part 2
Grade 12, #IBO002, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 4 periods (S-Fall)
A continuation of IB Theory of Knowledge – Part 1, this course is required for Senior IB students.
IB English Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO111, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or a minimum grade of 85% in Honors English 10.
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma, IB English Year 1 can be taken in lieu of the 11th grade English requirement. The course is aimed at developing an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism and promoting the ability to form independent literary judgments. To this end, the course will examine a diverse range of literature from various cultures, with an emphasis on English literature. Study will include perspectives on genre, historical context, close reading, and comparative literature. Students will be encouraged to develop their writing voice as they write in response to literature. Attention will be given to compositional style and to the conventions of academic writing. The course involves summer assignments completed prior to junior year.
IB English Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO112, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
This course for Seniors in the IB program is a continuation of IB English Year 1.
IB French Language B Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO121, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Completion of French 3 or demonstration of equivalent proficiency through placement exam.
(Replaces former course: French 4)
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma and other students who are pursuing academic study of World Language, this course represents the fourth course in the French sequence of study. This course prepares students to learn and use French to communicate about a wide variety of personal and social topics through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Through their use of a second language, students will develop personal understanding of contemporary global issues affecting society. The topics presented in the course are aimed at promoting understanding of a different point of view, enabling students to see themselves as members of a global society, and seeking solutions to issues affecting local and global society. Students will learn to appreciate the different perspectives unique to the French language and culture of French speaking societies.
IB French Language B Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO122, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
This course for seniors in the IB program is a continuation of IB French Year 1.
IB German Language B Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO131, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Completion of German 3 or demonstration of equivalent proficiency through placement exam.
(Replaces former course: German 4)
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma and other students who are pursuing academic study of World Language, this course represents the fourth course in the German sequence of study. This course prepares students to learn and use German to communicate about a wide variety of personal and social topics through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Through their use of a second language, students will develop personal understanding of contemporary global issues affecting society. The topics presented in the course are aimed at promoting understanding of a different point of view, enabling students to see themselves as members of a global society, and seeking solutions to issues affecting local and global society. Students will learn to appreciate the different perspectives unique to the German language and culture of German speaking societies.
IB German Language B Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO132, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
This course for seniors in the IB program is a continuation of IB German Year 1.
IB Spanish Language B Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO141, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 3 or demonstration of equivalent proficiency through placement exam.
(Replaces former course: Spanish 4)
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma and other students who are pursuing academic study of World Language, this course represents the fourth course in the Spanish sequence of study. This course prepares students to learn and use Spanish to communicate about a wide variety of personal and social topics through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Through their use of a second language, students will develop personal understanding of contemporary global issues affecting society. The topics presented in the course are aimed at promoting understanding of a different point of view, enabling students to see themselves as members of a global society, and seeking solutions to issues affecting local and global society. Students will learn to appreciate the different perspectives unique to the Spanish language and culture of Spanish speaking societies.
IB Spanish Language B Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO132, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
This course for seniors in the IB program is a continuation of IB Spanish Year 1.
IB History Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO211, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or a minimum grade of 85% in AP World History.
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma, IB History Year 1 can be taken by any student in lieu of the U.S. History requirement. This course aims at developing depth of historical understanding and the ability to comprehend, interpret and evaluate historical events and documents. The course will explore the evolution of our complex global society as the culmination of interdependent events. Year one of IB History includes a regional focus on the Americas. The course also lays the groundwork for IB History Year 2, which will examine modern and contemporary world topics such as World Wars I and II, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and post-World War II independence and nationalist movements in Africa, Asia and Europe. Throughout the program, students will be exposed to an array of historical documents and will learn how to effectively interpret and analyze these sources. IB History will foster a respect for other cultures and will prepare students to become successful global citizens. The course involves summer assignments completed prior to junior year.
IB History Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO212, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
This course for seniors is a continuation of IB History Year 1. It examines modern and contemporary world topics such as World Wars I and II, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and post-World War II independence and nationalist movements in Africa, Asia and Europe.
IB Economics
Grades 11/12, #IBO213, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
The course seeks to develop an appreciation of how economic choices impact individuals and societies and explores the economic interactions between individuals, groups, businesses, and nations. Students will seek an understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theories and their real-world applications. This course targets international perspectives as it seeks to foster a concern for global development issues and raises students’ awareness of their own responsibilities at a local, national, and international level. IB Economics also addresses issues of personal economic decision-making, such as money management, borrowing, investing, and financial services. While designed for students pursuing the IB diploma, this course is open to any student interested in an advanced approach to economics. IB Economics also satisfies the Personal Financial Literacy graduation requirement.
IB Physics SL
Grades 11/12*, #IBO421, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 6 periods including lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or a minimum grade of 85% in Honors Physical Science and Honors Algebra 2.
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma, IB Physics can be taken by any student in lieu of Honors Physics. In IB Physics students will explore how the physical universe works. Topics will include Newtonian mechanics, thermostatics, waves, electricity & magnetism (including fields and forces), and some topics in modern physics (such as the atom, nuclear reactions, and climate change). Laboratory experiences will help develop the ability to question, investigate, analyze, and evaluate the physical laws of the universe. The course will provide opportunities to develop skills and methods used by the international community of scientists.
NOTE: It is recommended that most IB students enroll in IB Physics senior year and IB Chemistry junior year. Exceptional cases should see the IB Coordinator for individual planning.
IB Physics HL Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO422, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 6 periods including lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep or Honors Physical Science, Algebra 2, Geometry and enrollment in or successful completion of Trigonometry. Students who select this course after College Prep Physical Science or College Prep Algebra 2 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85% in those courses. All students will have summer course work to complete in order to prepare for the course.
Designed for The IB Diploma Programme, physics higher level course exposes students to this most fundamental experimental science, which seeks to explain the universe itself—from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Students develop traditional practical skills and techniques of mathematics, the language of physics. This course will run in parallel with AP Physics 1. It cannot be taken by students who take IB Physics SL. IB Physics SL and IB Physics HL are not sequential courses.
IB Physics HL Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO423, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 6 periods including lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep or Honors Physical Science, Algebra 2, Geometry and enrollment in or successful completion of Trigonometry. Students who select this course after College Prep Physical Science or College Prep Algebra 2 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85% in those courses. All students will have summer course work to complete in order to prepare for the course.
This course is a continuation of IB Physics HL Year 1, designed for IB students pursuing the IB diploma who wish to study Physics at the higher level. This course will run in parallel with AP Physics 2. It cannot be taken by students who take IB Physics SL. IB Physics SL and IB Physics HL are not sequential courses.
IB Chemistry SL
Grades 11*/12, #IBO411, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 6 periods including lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or a minimum grade of 85% in Honors Physical Science.
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma, IB Chemistry can be taken by any student. The course includes all the topics traditionally included in Chemistry courses including thermodynamics, acids and bases, redox, and organic chemistry. Beyond content, students will also learn to think scientifically as they develop and test ideas in extensive lab work. Students will learn to be creative, self-initiated thinkers and to appreciate the work others have contributed to grow global science knowledge and our understanding of our world.
NOTE: It is recommended that most IB students enroll in IB Physics senior year and IB Chemistry junior year. Exceptional cases should see the IB Coordinator for individual planning.
IB Biology SL
Grades 11/12, #IBO431, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 6 periods including lab period (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme and completion of Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry, or IB Chemistry or teacher recommendation and an 85% from College Prep Biology and Chemistry.
IB Biology is designed for students wanting a second year advanced biology course. The class is offered in conjunction with AP Biology. A practical approach is used throughout IB Biology with evidence of observation and experimentation, as students analyze data and critically think about the scientific processes (not just one scientific method). Students will be developing investigative science skills through experimental design and collaboration with others. Students will explore scientific and technological concepts using moral, ethical, social, economic, and environmental implications, understanding the limitations of science and its overarching nature. Basic biological concepts throughout this course include Structure and Function, Universality versus Diversity, Equilibrium within Systems, and Evolution.
IB Biology HL/Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Grade 12, #IBO432, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods per week (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of 85% in Biology and a recommended grade of at least 85% in Chemistry.
This course will provide students with an understanding of the form and function of the human body through detailed discussion of anatomy and the chemical physiology which allows the body to function. Students will use dissection and laboratory activities to analyze data and determine structure and function relationships through comparative anatomy. This course also includes neurobiology and animal behavior. Students in this course should be interested in moving into fields of scientific study and should have successfully completed (recommended 85% or higher) in Biology and should be concurrently enrolled in, or have successfully completed, Chemistry. Additionally, this course in conjunction with IB Biology SL, will satisfy the requirements for IB Biology HL.
IB Mathematics Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO311, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or a minimum grade of 75% in Honors Algebra 2 and Honors Geometry, or a 90% in College Prep Algebra 2 and College Prep Geometry or an 80% in College Prep Trigonometry and Precalculus.
Designed for students pursuing the IB diploma, IB Mathematics can be taken by any student in lieu of Honors Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus AB or BC. The IB Mathematics Year 1 course is designed to be completed during the junior year of high school and will cover concepts in Precalculus, Trigonometry, and Probability. It will prepare students for further study of Calculus and Statistics in IB Mathematics Year 2. Students will be expected to apply mathematical concepts to solve problems and to model real life situations. Attention will be given to mathematical inquiry and to the application of mathematical concepts to global issues. Students taking this course are expected to take IB Mathematics Year 2 the following school year.
IB Mathematics Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO312, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: IB Mathematics Year 1
This course for seniors in the IB program is a continuation of IB Mathematics Year 1. Students planning on taking the IB Mathematics SL exam should take this course during the testing year. Topics include Calculus, Statistics, and a comprehensive review for the IB exam.
IB Mathematics Year 1 - Accelerated
Grade 11, #IBO316, 0 credit (1 credit awarded as AP credit), weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme or a minimum grade of 75% in Honors Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus.
Designed for students who have completed Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus in their sophomore year, this course incorporates requirements of IB Mathematics into a calculus-based course. Students are required to complete the internal assessment and prepare independently for the IB exam. Students selecting this course should also select AP Calculus BC during course registration. Note: Students should consult with the IB coordinator before enrolling in this course.
IB Mathematics Year 2 - Accelerated
Grade 12, #IBO317, 0 credit (1 credit awarded as AP credit), weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Completion of IB Mathematics Year 1-Accelerated
Designed for students who have completed IB Mathematics Year 1 Accelerated in their junior year, this course incorporates requirements of IB Mathematics into a statistics-based course. Students selecting this course should also select AP Statistics during course registration. Note: Students should consult with the IB coordinator before enrolling in this course.
IB Music
Grade 10/11/12, #IBO612, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
The primary goal of IB Music is for students to engage with music as Researchers, Creators, & Performers. Throughout the course, students Explore, Experiment with, and Present music from a diverse range of genres and cultures. The class is structured around the study of musical figures such as John Cage, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Yo-Yo Ma, Billie Holiday, and Lin-Manuel Miranda (among others). Daily activities for this class include listening to music and analyzing its musical content, reading musical scores, composing and/or arranging music, and writing about music analytically and critically. The class is project-based (there are no tests), affording students the opportunity to complete a portfolio, which may be submitted to the IBO for college credit (similar to an AP class).
PLEASE NOTE: Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme take IB Music concurrently with Theory of Knowledge. Therefore, you would take IB Music the fall of your junior year and the spring of your senior year. (For all others, it is a typical year-long course.) Also, IB Music does not meet on Thursdays, so you may take it in conjunction with an AP/IB science class with a double lab period on Thursdays.
IB Art
Grade 12, #IBO613, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Art 2
Students will draw, paint, print, collage, and work in other two-dimensional media available. Students will select a theme and work throughout the year on that topic while documenting all their research through a process portfolio. Students will also be writing an artist statement, curatorial rationales, and a comparative study. At the end of the course students must display their work in the senior gallery. This IB elective is open to non-IB students who are interested in studying visual arts as well as to IB diploma candidates.