Kaiser High School IB Diploma Programme
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IB Diploma Programme Subject Groups

The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. ​Students are required to choose one subject from each of the six academic areas below.
Group 1:  Studies in Language and Literature
These courses offer a broad range of texts, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent.
Group 2:  Language Acquisition
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language
  • ​Language B courses are intended for students who have had some previous experience of learning the language.
  • Language ab initio courses are for students who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen.
Group 3:  Individuals and Societies
Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
  • human experience and behaviour
  • the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit
  • the history of social and cultural institutions.
Group 4:  Sciences
​Through studying a science subject students become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, the emphasis is on a practical approach. In addition, through the overarching theme of the “Nature of Science” this knowledge and skills will be put into the context of the way science and scientists work in the 21st Century and the ethical debates and limitations of creative scientific endeavors. The sciences are taught practically. Students have opportunities to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings. The investigations may be laboratory based or they may make use of simulations and data bases. Students develop the skills to work independently on their own design but also collegiately to mirror the way in which scientific research is conducted in the wider community.
Group 5:  Mathematics
The aims of these courses are to enable students to:
  • develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles
  • develop logical, critical and creative thinking
  • employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization.
Students are also encouraged to appreciate the international dimensions of mathematics and the multiplicity of its cultural and historical perspectives.
Group 6: The Arts
The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres. In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and competence.

Kaiser IB Film Montage


Kaiser High School IB Diploma Programme Subjects

The IB has created curriculum for numerous IB DP subjects. Kaiser High School specifically offers the IB DP subjects identified below. While we try our best to accommodate students’ course selections, the availability of these subjects is dependent upon enrollment and staffing.
Group 1:  Studies in Language & Literature
  • English A Language & Literature HL

​Group 2:  Language Acquisition
  • Chinese B SL
  • Japanese B SL
  • Spanish Ab Initio SL
Group 3:  Individuals and Societies
  • Global Politics HL
  • History HL

​Group 4:  Sciences
  • Biology HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies SL
  • Physics SL
  • Computer Science HL
Group 5:  Mathematics
  • Analysis and Approaches SL

​Group 6:  The Arts
  • Film HL
  • Music SL
  • Visual Arts SL & HL  
Both years of all IB DP classes are weighted on a 5.0 GPA scale with the exception of TOK and Year 1 of Mathematics.

Course Descriptions

The following subject briefs describe each Diploma Programme subject offered at Kaiser High School . They address core requirements, aims, and assessment. 

Group 1

IB English A Language & Lit
File Size: 390 kb
File Type: pdf
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Group 2

IB Language B
File Size: 392 kb
File Type: pdf
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IB Language Ab Initio
File Size: 391 kb
File Type: pdf
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Group 3

IB Global Politics
File Size: 657 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

IB History
File Size: 442 kb
File Type: pdf
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Group 4

IB Biology
File Size: 395 kb
File Type: pdf
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IB Physics
File Size: 394 kb
File Type: pdf
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IB Computer Science
File Size: 579 kb
File Type: pdf
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IB Environmental Systems
File Size: 640 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Group 5

IB Math Analysis & Approaches
File Size: 397 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Group 6

IB Film
File Size: 365 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

IB Visual Arts SL
File Size: 392 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

IB Music
File Size: 622 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

IB Visual Arts HL
File Size: 392 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Kaiser High School
​IB DP Faculty

Bradley Bogard
Paul Balazs
Ben Lane
Ingrid Vasilescu
Martin Garcia
Keiko Burgess
Pauli Tashima

Alexander Mizumoto-Gitter
Riker Kasamoto
​Daniel Lawrence
Wade Nakamura

Blaine Cazinha
Mark Gardner
Kristie Yamamoto
Michael Bataluna
Helen Pandey
Tanya Misi

Standard Level and ​Higher Level Courses

The philosophy of the IB DP is that students should engage with a range of subjects while being able to explore specific areas of personal interest in greater depth. SL courses ensure students are exposed to a range of disciplines that they might otherwise opt out of, and HL courses allow students to spend more time with subjects they are more interested in by exploring options in addition to the SL core curriculum. In this sense, all DP courses, regardless of whether they are SL or HL, are integral to the program. Both SL and HL courses are meant to span the two years of the DP.  In most cases, both SL and HL courses consist of the same educational aims, core syllabus, and curriculum and assessment models. HL courses typically also include a range of additional elements designed to allow students to explore areas of interest within the subject in more depth. In this sense, SL courses are not watered down versions of their HL counterparts. The assessment criteria are equally demanding for both, and SL exams are marked and standardized with the same rigor as all IB coursework.
Standard Level versus Higher Level

​Henry J. Kaiser High School
511 Lunalilo Home Road
Honolulu, HI, USA 96825
+1 (808) 394-1200

www.kaiserhighschoolhawaii.org
Picture
​Principal/Head of School
Justin S.N. Mew​

IB Diploma Programme Coordinator

Brad Bogard
+1 (808) 436-1860
[email protected]
  • Home
  • Curriculum
    • Subjects
    • Extended Essay
    • CAS
    • TOK
    • Individual IB DP Courses
  • Assessment
  • FAQs
  • Experiences
  • University Recognition