Frequently Asked Questions About the IB Diploma Programme
How do I apply?
Current sophomores who want to enter the program next school year need to complete the IB Diploma Programme application.
Do I have to enroll in the IB DP as a full diploma candidate or can I take only a few DP courses?
The IB DP at Kaiser High School is primarily run as a cohort of students who sit for the full diploma. As a full diploma candidate, students are required to take six DP courses (Group 1: Language & Literature; Group 2: Language Acquisition; Group 3: Individuals and Societies; Group 4: Sciences; Group 5: Mathematics; Group 6: The Arts) as well as complete three core components (the Extended Essay, Creativity Activity Service, and the Theory of Knowledge course). In order to meet Hawaii DOE graduation requirements, students must also complete Modern History of Hawaii and Participation in Democracy, each one-semester non-IB DP courses, in their junior and senior year.
Kaiser now offers the opportunity for students to take individual IB DP courses in the following subjects without being a full diploma candidate: IB Chinese, IB Japanese, IB Spanish, IB History, IB Global Politics, IB Physics, IB Computer Science, IB Film, IB Music, and IB Visual Arts.
What is the duration of the IB DP?
The IB DP is a two-year program of study. Students begin the program in their junior year and complete it in their senior year. Courses are two years long, provide concurrency in learning, and the curriculum is spread out over the two years.
If I am an IB DP full diploma candidate, do I have to take the exams in May of my senior year?
Yes, all students who are enrolled in the IB DP are required to pay for and take exams at the end of the course(s) (May of senior year). Students who do not take all exams for the subject will receive a 4-point weighted grade instead of a 5. Refunds will not be granted after September of the student’s senior year. Additionally, the IB does not allow for rescheduling or make up of exams. IB subject exams must be completed on the day and time of day specified by the IB. Rescheduling is not authorized when an IB examination coincides with a local or national sporting event or competition, a school event of any kind, a local or national holiday, school examinations, or a family event. Exceptions cannot be made.
What is the workload for a student pursuing the IB Diploma? How many hours per night will I have to study for my IB DP courses? I’ve heard that if I join the IB DP, I will not have a social life.
The workload for the IB DP is challenging and demanding. The amount of time spent on assignments and homework will vary depending on the individual student. Students will learn to be increasingly efficient in their studying, allowing time to complete weekly Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) activities, as well as devote time to their Extended Essay (EE), which are core components of the DP. Because students are enrolled in six college-level courses over the two years, they will be required to do more challenging work. Time management is crucial to their success in the program. There are situations for which students must prioritize their academic needs over their social needs. However, it is equally important for students to balance their social and academic endeavors. We encourage students to form study groups with their peers, similar to college life. Students can help and learn from one another in the subjects they are studying. As a support, IB DP students can opt to take the IB DP study hall (non-credit) in place of an eighth elective course. IB DP study hall is a period within the student’s schedule to complete some of their IB DP coursework, CAS activities, and the Extended Essay. The school’s librarian oversees students during this time, however, it is an independent working period for the student, and we encourage them to use their study hall period wisely. Some other supports Kaiser has implemented are checkpoint meetings for students on their EEs as well as EE and CAS workshops. While the EE is not tied to any course, it is a required component of the program that students need to complete to remain eligible for their IB Diploma. The checkpoint meetings allow the school to “break up” or “chunk” parts of the EE for students so it is not as overwhelming to complete.
Can a student take courses other than those in the IB DP? Are there elective courses students can take?
Yes, students have a period in their schedule in which they can opt to take one elective (non-IB DP) course. Students can select any non-IB DP course provided there is no schedule conflict. Students can also elect to take the IB DP study hall (non-credit) to assist with completion of their IB DP coursework. For a selection of non-IB DP courses, please review the Kaiser High School Course Guide available on the Kaiser website.
How much does the IB DP cost?
Students in the IB DP pay for their six subject fees and a small portion of the assessment shipping fees, collectively totaling $750. These fees may change annually per the International Baccalaureate Organization. We kindly ask that families pay these fees in full by the end of the student’s junior year. The school continues to pay for the IBDP annual fee (approximately 11,000), official IB teacher training, resources for classes, and partial shipment.
Is there time for IB DP students to participate in sports, clubs, or a job?
Many IB DP students complete the IB DP as well as participate in sports and clubs. Not only are they encouraged to participate in sports, clubs, and service activities, it is an IB DP requirement for all full diploma candidates to complete a minimum of 150 hours in the Creativity, Activity, and Service strands over the two years in the program. While the IB DP provides strength in academics, it also focuses on providing well-rounded students who address their creative/artistic qualities, maintain physical health, are socially responsible, and give back to their communities. It is not advised for students to hold a job while in the IB DP as the amount of work and the level of work is challenging. However, some students have been successful balancing the demands of both. This is a decision that is left up to the student and parent/s after careful consideration.
How are IB DP candidates selected?
Sophomore students who are interested in being in the IB DP in their junior and senior year attend a student and parent informational meeting, normally held in October. All interested students must complete an application for the program. Transcripts and grades are reviewed. Successful completion of Geometry is a minimum requirement for the IB DP. We like to ensure the program is the right fit for each student. Once applications, transcripts, and grades have been reviewed, students are notified of their acceptance.
What if my son/daughter does not want to be in the IB DP, but I, as a parent, know the IB DP would be good for him/her?
Because the IB DP requires a high level of commitment from the student, we highly recommend that the decision to be in the program be a family decision. We ask that parents speak with their son/daughter in depth about the IB DP, because it is a highly rigorous and challenging program. It requires students to enter the program already having time management skills, a good work ethic, and the ability to persevere when challenges arise. Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the assignments, therefore, they are the integral component in the decision-making process.
If I do not complete my Extended Essay, Creativity Activity Service, or sit for an exam, will I still be eligible to earn the IB diploma?
If a student does not complete his or her EE, CAS, Theory of Knowledge assessments, or fails to attend a subject exam, he or she is ineligible to earn the IB Diploma. If the student does not complete a required subject assessment (Internal Assessment or External Assessment), he or she is ineligible to earn the IB Diploma.
How are IB DP and AP different?
Both the IB DP and AP are high school university preparation programs and are not intended in any way to compete with one another. IB is a complete two-year program in which students are enrolled in six IB DP subjects, complete the core of the program (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity Activity Service, and Extended Essay), and sit for exams in May of their senior year. Each AP course is completely autonomous, and students can opt to take a single AP course as well as the exam at the end of the course. Students may also challenge themselves by taking an AP exam without having taken the AP course. IB courses cover more depth and breadth while AP courses cover more depth in content and curriculum.
If I am in the IB DP, is it a requirement that I take Algebra 2 or Physics for college admittance?
Colleges and universities vary in their requirements for admissions. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to research admission requirements for the colleges/universities they are interested in attending prior to entering the IB DP to determine if the IB DP is the best fit for them. According to Kaiser High School’s experience thus far, IB DP students have been accepted to colleges/universities without having taken Algebra 2 or Physics, but again, this varies from institution to institution. It is always best practice to contact the college/university admissions office to get the most updated and accurate information on admission requirements.
What colleges/universities recognize the IB DP?
Most colleges and universities worldwide recognize the IB. Students and parents should visit the IBO University Recognition page for more information: https://www.ibo.org/recognition It is always best practice to contact the college/university’s admissions office to get the most updated and accurate information on IB recognition regarding admissions and credits. Families should directly visit individual institutions’ websites to research IB recognition policies.
Can I receive credits/waivers from my college/university for earning my IB Diploma or scoring well in an IB DP subject?
Depending on the college/university the student is attending, credits/waivers may be granted from the college/university. There are some colleges/universities that highly recognize IB and have granted students up to an entire school year worth of credits. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to research college/university recognition of the IB diploma and specific subject scores. College admission and credits/waivers are determined by the college/university – not Kaiser High School. Students who do not earn the IB diploma but score well in a specific subject may potentially receive college credits/waivers from their college depending on how their college/university recognizes IB and the subject. Students and parents are strongly advised to contact colleges/universities directly or research their websites.
Current sophomores who want to enter the program next school year need to complete the IB Diploma Programme application.
Do I have to enroll in the IB DP as a full diploma candidate or can I take only a few DP courses?
The IB DP at Kaiser High School is primarily run as a cohort of students who sit for the full diploma. As a full diploma candidate, students are required to take six DP courses (Group 1: Language & Literature; Group 2: Language Acquisition; Group 3: Individuals and Societies; Group 4: Sciences; Group 5: Mathematics; Group 6: The Arts) as well as complete three core components (the Extended Essay, Creativity Activity Service, and the Theory of Knowledge course). In order to meet Hawaii DOE graduation requirements, students must also complete Modern History of Hawaii and Participation in Democracy, each one-semester non-IB DP courses, in their junior and senior year.
Kaiser now offers the opportunity for students to take individual IB DP courses in the following subjects without being a full diploma candidate: IB Chinese, IB Japanese, IB Spanish, IB History, IB Global Politics, IB Physics, IB Computer Science, IB Film, IB Music, and IB Visual Arts.
What is the duration of the IB DP?
The IB DP is a two-year program of study. Students begin the program in their junior year and complete it in their senior year. Courses are two years long, provide concurrency in learning, and the curriculum is spread out over the two years.
If I am an IB DP full diploma candidate, do I have to take the exams in May of my senior year?
Yes, all students who are enrolled in the IB DP are required to pay for and take exams at the end of the course(s) (May of senior year). Students who do not take all exams for the subject will receive a 4-point weighted grade instead of a 5. Refunds will not be granted after September of the student’s senior year. Additionally, the IB does not allow for rescheduling or make up of exams. IB subject exams must be completed on the day and time of day specified by the IB. Rescheduling is not authorized when an IB examination coincides with a local or national sporting event or competition, a school event of any kind, a local or national holiday, school examinations, or a family event. Exceptions cannot be made.
What is the workload for a student pursuing the IB Diploma? How many hours per night will I have to study for my IB DP courses? I’ve heard that if I join the IB DP, I will not have a social life.
The workload for the IB DP is challenging and demanding. The amount of time spent on assignments and homework will vary depending on the individual student. Students will learn to be increasingly efficient in their studying, allowing time to complete weekly Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) activities, as well as devote time to their Extended Essay (EE), which are core components of the DP. Because students are enrolled in six college-level courses over the two years, they will be required to do more challenging work. Time management is crucial to their success in the program. There are situations for which students must prioritize their academic needs over their social needs. However, it is equally important for students to balance their social and academic endeavors. We encourage students to form study groups with their peers, similar to college life. Students can help and learn from one another in the subjects they are studying. As a support, IB DP students can opt to take the IB DP study hall (non-credit) in place of an eighth elective course. IB DP study hall is a period within the student’s schedule to complete some of their IB DP coursework, CAS activities, and the Extended Essay. The school’s librarian oversees students during this time, however, it is an independent working period for the student, and we encourage them to use their study hall period wisely. Some other supports Kaiser has implemented are checkpoint meetings for students on their EEs as well as EE and CAS workshops. While the EE is not tied to any course, it is a required component of the program that students need to complete to remain eligible for their IB Diploma. The checkpoint meetings allow the school to “break up” or “chunk” parts of the EE for students so it is not as overwhelming to complete.
Can a student take courses other than those in the IB DP? Are there elective courses students can take?
Yes, students have a period in their schedule in which they can opt to take one elective (non-IB DP) course. Students can select any non-IB DP course provided there is no schedule conflict. Students can also elect to take the IB DP study hall (non-credit) to assist with completion of their IB DP coursework. For a selection of non-IB DP courses, please review the Kaiser High School Course Guide available on the Kaiser website.
How much does the IB DP cost?
Students in the IB DP pay for their six subject fees and a small portion of the assessment shipping fees, collectively totaling $750. These fees may change annually per the International Baccalaureate Organization. We kindly ask that families pay these fees in full by the end of the student’s junior year. The school continues to pay for the IBDP annual fee (approximately 11,000), official IB teacher training, resources for classes, and partial shipment.
Is there time for IB DP students to participate in sports, clubs, or a job?
Many IB DP students complete the IB DP as well as participate in sports and clubs. Not only are they encouraged to participate in sports, clubs, and service activities, it is an IB DP requirement for all full diploma candidates to complete a minimum of 150 hours in the Creativity, Activity, and Service strands over the two years in the program. While the IB DP provides strength in academics, it also focuses on providing well-rounded students who address their creative/artistic qualities, maintain physical health, are socially responsible, and give back to their communities. It is not advised for students to hold a job while in the IB DP as the amount of work and the level of work is challenging. However, some students have been successful balancing the demands of both. This is a decision that is left up to the student and parent/s after careful consideration.
How are IB DP candidates selected?
Sophomore students who are interested in being in the IB DP in their junior and senior year attend a student and parent informational meeting, normally held in October. All interested students must complete an application for the program. Transcripts and grades are reviewed. Successful completion of Geometry is a minimum requirement for the IB DP. We like to ensure the program is the right fit for each student. Once applications, transcripts, and grades have been reviewed, students are notified of their acceptance.
What if my son/daughter does not want to be in the IB DP, but I, as a parent, know the IB DP would be good for him/her?
Because the IB DP requires a high level of commitment from the student, we highly recommend that the decision to be in the program be a family decision. We ask that parents speak with their son/daughter in depth about the IB DP, because it is a highly rigorous and challenging program. It requires students to enter the program already having time management skills, a good work ethic, and the ability to persevere when challenges arise. Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the assignments, therefore, they are the integral component in the decision-making process.
If I do not complete my Extended Essay, Creativity Activity Service, or sit for an exam, will I still be eligible to earn the IB diploma?
If a student does not complete his or her EE, CAS, Theory of Knowledge assessments, or fails to attend a subject exam, he or she is ineligible to earn the IB Diploma. If the student does not complete a required subject assessment (Internal Assessment or External Assessment), he or she is ineligible to earn the IB Diploma.
How are IB DP and AP different?
Both the IB DP and AP are high school university preparation programs and are not intended in any way to compete with one another. IB is a complete two-year program in which students are enrolled in six IB DP subjects, complete the core of the program (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity Activity Service, and Extended Essay), and sit for exams in May of their senior year. Each AP course is completely autonomous, and students can opt to take a single AP course as well as the exam at the end of the course. Students may also challenge themselves by taking an AP exam without having taken the AP course. IB courses cover more depth and breadth while AP courses cover more depth in content and curriculum.
If I am in the IB DP, is it a requirement that I take Algebra 2 or Physics for college admittance?
Colleges and universities vary in their requirements for admissions. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to research admission requirements for the colleges/universities they are interested in attending prior to entering the IB DP to determine if the IB DP is the best fit for them. According to Kaiser High School’s experience thus far, IB DP students have been accepted to colleges/universities without having taken Algebra 2 or Physics, but again, this varies from institution to institution. It is always best practice to contact the college/university admissions office to get the most updated and accurate information on admission requirements.
What colleges/universities recognize the IB DP?
Most colleges and universities worldwide recognize the IB. Students and parents should visit the IBO University Recognition page for more information: https://www.ibo.org/recognition It is always best practice to contact the college/university’s admissions office to get the most updated and accurate information on IB recognition regarding admissions and credits. Families should directly visit individual institutions’ websites to research IB recognition policies.
Can I receive credits/waivers from my college/university for earning my IB Diploma or scoring well in an IB DP subject?
Depending on the college/university the student is attending, credits/waivers may be granted from the college/university. There are some colleges/universities that highly recognize IB and have granted students up to an entire school year worth of credits. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to research college/university recognition of the IB diploma and specific subject scores. College admission and credits/waivers are determined by the college/university – not Kaiser High School. Students who do not earn the IB diploma but score well in a specific subject may potentially receive college credits/waivers from their college depending on how their college/university recognizes IB and the subject. Students and parents are strongly advised to contact colleges/universities directly or research their websites.
