An internationally renowned district program offering a challenging curriculum for talented and highly motivated students from Grade 9 through Grade 12.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Port Moody Secondary The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program has been adopted as a district program to ensure that all highly motivated and talented secondary students (including French Immersion students) in School District 43 have equal access to the opportunities provided through this internationally renowned program. This is the only district wide program that offers a coordinated curriculum from grade 9 through grade 12 for talented and highly motivated students. IB includes appropriately challenging experiences in an environment of positive stimulation that comes from working within class groupings of similarly motivated and talented students.
The IB is offered as an integral part of the broad educational program at Port Moody Secondary. A high degree of flexibility is built into the program to ensure that students have the opportunity to individually make choices and selections that provide maximum personal benefits.
IB is recognized throughout North America as equivalent to first year university standing. Students who achieve well in IB subjects will generally receive university credit for their efforts. In the case of Chemistry, Computer Science, French, Mathematics and Physics, IB students will be well prepared for and will have the opportunity to participate in the US College Board's Advanced Placement Examinations.
For Grades 9 and 10:
The Pre-IB offerings include Art, English, French, Social Studies, Mathematics and Science. Each Pre-IB Course will include the material required for the "regular" course, but because of the selected nature of the students, the learning environment will be distinctly different and more emphasis will be placed on higher level skills including research, writing, problem solving and working in cooperative groups. The grades in IB and Pre-IB Courses are adjusted to reflect the same achievement levels required for "regular" courses. The assignments and homework in IB and Pre-IB classes will be significantly different from the "regular" classes but should not normally require more time. Although it is possible for students to start on the IB Program in grade 11, it would be a significant advantage for talented and highly motivated students to have the enriched experiences from a variety (all if possible) of the grade 9 and 10 Pre-IB classes
IB for Grades 11 and 12:
Each IB course will encompass all requirements of the "regular" course, including excellent preparation for Provincial Examinations. The enriched learning environment will provide the opportunity for much more in-depth study with a continued emphasis on higher level skills. IB Courses and course descriptions are listed in the Port Moody Secondary School Calendar.
IB Diploma or IB Certificate:
Students ideally will choose to complete the entire IB Diploma that requires IB courses in two languages (English & French), one social science (History or Geography), one science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics), Mathematics and one other subject (any one from the previous list or Art or Computer Science).
The IB Diploma also requires the Theory of Knowledge course and the completion of an independent 4000 word research essay as well as a commitment to at least 200 hours of creative, active and service endeavours (CAS) to be completed during grades 11 and 12. Many students will find that the IB Certificate program better meets their personal, educational and career goals. These students choose only the IB subjects that best meet their personal learning needs and complete other graduation and post secondary requirements in "regular" classes.
Registering For the IB Program
Become totally familiar with the IB Program. Attend an IB information meeting. Ask questions to ensure that you clearly understand the advantages of IB including the special learning environment possible in IB classes, the academic focus of the program and the post secondary school benefits. Please phone the IB Coordinator at Port Moody Secondary (939-6656) for more information and to ensure that all questions have been answered.
For Application for Admission to International Baccalaureate Program Contact:
Laurie Saucier, Coordinator
Port Moody Senior Secondary School
300 Albert St.
Port Moody, BC V3H 2M5
Phone: 604 939-6656 Fax: 604 939-5833
www.ibo.org
For more information contact:
Patricia Gartland - District Principal District Programs
School District 43 (Coquitlam)
550 Poirier Street
Coquitlam, BC V3J 6A7
Phone: (604) 939-9201 Fax: (604) 939-7828