IB/AP – Required Courses

IB Required Courses of Study

Group 1—English

Students do not have to be in honors (X) English before coming to high school, although in Washington Township, we have made an effort to coordinate the honors offerings at the middle schools with those at North Central.   At North Central, the best preparation for the IB program is as follows:

Grade 9:                 English 9 1X-2X

to World Literature

Grade 10:               English 10 3X-4X

Literature

Grade 11:               IB English Literature/Composition

Grade 12:               IB English Language/Composition

Examination:                    English A1 (HL) or (SL)

 

Group 2—Language B

Ideally, students should begin their study of a modern world language, usually French or Spanish, during middle school.   By starting in grade 7, they may enter North Central at the third level.   If they lack this early start, they should consult the Chair of the World Language Department to determine whether catch-up work is possible.   Students may also request to sit for an exam in Hebrew, German, Japanese, Mandarin or Latin, but this choice must be approved by the teacher of the course and the department chairperson.

Grade 7 & 8:          World Language 1-2 is strongly recommended

Grade 9:                 French or Spanish 3X-4X,

(German, Hebrew, Japanese or Latin by permission)

Grade 10:               French or Spanish 5X-6X

Grade 11:               French or Spanish 7X-8X

Grade 12:               IB French or IB Spanish 9/10

Examination:                    French B (SL or HL) or Spanish B (SL or HL)

                                            (German, Hebrew, Japanese Mandarin or Latin)

 

Group 3—Individuals and Society

The current program in Group 3 culminates in testing with European History.   Students need to follow this four-year sequence.

Grade 9:                 AP World History

Grade 10:               IB U.S. History 1/2

Grade 11:               IB European History 1/2

Grade 12                AP Government (first semester)

IB International Relations (second semester)

Examination:                    European History (HL) or (SL)

 

Group 4—Experimental Science

North Central offers several choices to prepare students in this area.

Option A                                 Option B

Grade 9:             Biology X                               Biology X

Grade 10:           Chemistry X                         Chemistry or Chemistry X

Grade 11:           IB Chemistry (SL)               Physics X (SL)

or Physics X (SL)                or Environmental Science (AP/SL)
or Environmental Science (AP/SL)

Grade 12:              Advanced Biology (SL/HL)      Advanced Biology (SL/HL)

or Physics (SL)                    or IB Physics (HL)

or                                             or
Environmental Science      Environmental Science
(AP/SL)                                  (AP/SL)

Examination:     Biology (HL)               Physics (SL/HL)

                              Chemistry (SL)             Biology (HL)

                              Physics (SL)                 Environmental Science (SL)

 

Group 5—Mathematics

Any of the options below will lead towards a standard level exam in mathematics.   Students wishing to take a higher level exam need additional work beyond calculus; students complete calculus in grade 11 and take Math Topics in grade 12.   If students are sitting for the IB Math exam the senior year, they must be enrolled in a math course for both semesters.

Option 1

Grade 9:          Geometry 1-2X (or Geometry 1-2)

Grade 10:        Algebra 3-4X

Grade 11:        Pre-Calculus 1-2X

Grade 12:        IB Stats/Probability 1/2

Examination:           Math Studies SL

Option 2                         Option 3

Grade 9:             Geometry 1X-2X               Algebra 3X-4X

Grade 10:           Algebra 3X-4X                  Pre-Calculus 1X-2X

Grade 11:           Pre-Calculus 1X-2X           IB Calculus 1/2, BC

Grade 12:           IB Calculus 1-2 AB           Math Topics 1-2

IB Calculus 1-2 BC

Examination:           Mathematics (SL)          Mathematics (HL) or

                                                                    Advanced Math (SL)

 

Group 6-Options

For the sixth curricular requirement, students may choose from among several courses of study.   Below are samples of ways past students have completed this area.   (For other options, consult music IB coordinator.)

Music                            Theater Arts                   Dance

Piano Lab                       Speech 1                      

Music Theory 1-2            Drama 1

Instrumental/Choral         Repertory Theatre (2 yrs)

Tutorial                           and/or Stagecraft

Examination:

  Music (SL/HL)                 Theater Arts (SL/HL)       Dance (SL/HL)

 

Art Option 1                           Art-Option 2

Grd 9:               Intro to 2D Art* ( 1 Sem )         Intro to 3D Art* ( 1 Sem )

Begin. Drawing ( 1 Sem )          Begin. Sculpture ( 1 Sem )

Grd 10:             Art History (1 Sem)               Art History (1 Sem)

Adv. Drawing ( 1 Sem )             Begin. Drawing ( 1 Sem )

Grd 11:             IB Art (Full Year)                   Adv. Sculpture ( 1 Sem)
IB Art ( 1 Sem )

Grd 12:             IB Art ( Full Year )                    IB Art ( Full Year )

 

Examination:

There are three levels in IB Art:   Higher Level, Standard Level A  and Standard Level B.   Students will discuss IB Art options witt IB Art teacher and/or the Visual Arts Department Chairman.

 

*All students must take either Intro to 2D Art, Intro to 3D Art or
Communicative Arts.

 

Other Considerations

To make sure candidates have an adequate opportunity to complete the necessary courses leading to the diploma, it is sometimes wise to take one or two courses during summer school.   Below are listed some typical ways that previous IB students have used summer school

Prior to Grade 11:     Physical Education/Health, Geometry 1-2

World Language (Tutoring), Technology
Physical Education, Speech
Physical Education, Government
Advanced Speech and Communications (Speech & Technology)