The Pros and Cons of IB

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, allows students to learn as part of a worldwide program that may offer benefits for students through high school, all the way to their future careers.

Robinson, as well as many other schools around the world offer IB courses. The program teaches almost the same material and offers flexibility for teachers responsible for educating students. At Robinson alone, the IB directors estimate that 80-85 percent of all high school students are taking at least one IB class.

A student’s eligibility for the diploma depends on exam scores and credits earned for the class. Last year, 154 students graduated with a full IB Diploma.  Results come in July, with an estimated 75 percent that go for the diploma acquiring it. IB differs from AP in the way the program is taught. “IB is very much about depth and understanding while AP is geared more towards facts,” said director Wendy Vu.

According to IB directors Wendy Vu and Holly Cho, IB has many pre and post-college benefits. “For a lot of kids, their IB experience carries them into college,” said Vu, “They are more likely to travel abroad and be more open.” The directors say that students who take IB tend to think with more of a chemical mindset and are able to establish connections with information that is being given to them. It can also assist students in their transition from high school to college and university.

With its benefits, IB can create some conflicts for students. According to the IB directors, kids have an adjustment period when they first get into the courses. The program demands its students to take something new and apply it with a new way of thinking. The directors say that with practice a student can improve overtime.