Pathways & Programs (IB, DL, AVID, CTE)

Who is an AVID Student?

AVID students are students in the academic middle, capable of completing a college preparatory path with support. These students often are not realizing their full potential academically. In the identification process a number of criteria are considered, including:

• State test scores
• Grades
• Citizenship
• Attendance
• Desire and determination
• first in family to attend College
• Historically underrepresented in 4-year colleges
• Economically disadvantaged
• Other special circumstances

While all of the criteria are considered for acceptance into the program, no single criteria will necessarily eliminate a student from consideration. The AVID program should reflect the demographics of the school it is serving. Students participating in special education, gifted and talented programs, and ELL will be considered for AVID based on the criteria listed above. Currently, there are a number of students from these groups successfully participating in the AVID program.

Check out the video

The AVID Elective is the core of the AVID Secondary Program.  Each week students work on skills through the tutorial process, binder and agenda checks and other AVID curriculum. The curriculum is built on a 4-year model:

9th Grade: Strong focus on overall academic success, organization, note taking, study habits and goals.  AVID curriculum is centered on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading (WICOR).

10th Grade: Builds on 9th grade curriculum and begins preparing students for standardized college entrance tests like the SAT/ACT.  Students continue to cultivate academic skills in preparation to take IB classes in the junior and senior years. 

11th Grade: In addition to deep academic support, students learn about the FAFSA process, research colleges, write a sample personal statement and resume and engage in career research. 

12th Grade: Culmination of support in the college application process, the FAFSA, scholarships and continued academic achievement.

Students in the AVID program visit 1-2 colleges a year, take field trips, have quarterly academic celebrations and hear from guest speakers who help students connect to critical thinking and career pathways.

​​​​Incoming Freshmen:

• Freshmen recruitment events and interviews
• AVID recruitment information night
• Students submit an application
• Teachers submit recommendation forms
• Students participate in interview with AVID staff

Current Southridge students:

• Download an AVID application or get a paper copy from your counselor. 
• Return completed application to your counselor by the forecasting deadline
• Teachers submit recommendation forms
• Students participate in an interview with AVID staff or provide video submission as directed on the application. 

If you are motivated to do well and are serious about your academic future- Please complete an application and follow the instructions.

 

AVID and Academic Rigor

AVID and the International Baccalaureate program

During the junior and senior years, Southridge AVID students will participate in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). All AVID students enroll in 1 or more IB classes during their junior or senior years, when those courses become available to them. During the 9th and 10th grade, students engage deeply with the skills necessary to prepare them for successful participation in the IB program. AVID teachers and students focus on WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading) to achieve this end.

Both AVID and IB mission statements focus on preparing students for success in college and a global society. The IB Program at Southridge effectively articulates what that "success in a global society" will look like.

IB Mission

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organization to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

 

The IB Career-related Programme is a program for students who wish to pursue a CTE pathway and also take IB courses.  The IB CP certificate is equal to the IB Diploma, but students have the flexibility to pursue their academic and career-related goals.  Students pursuing the IB CP Certificate can begin a CTE pathway as early as the freshmen year.

In addition to the completion of a CTE pathway, students must take two IB classes over the course of their junior and senior years and test in those courses, earning at least a 3 in each class.  Students also complete the core requirements of the CP: Service Learning, Language Development, the Reflective Project, and the Personal and Professional Skills course. Please complete the CP Intent Form and follow submission instructions to sign up. 

Additional Career Program information 

Enroll in IB Courses at Southridge

IB courses are rigorous courses that prepare students for collegiate work. All students are strongly encouraged to take IB classes if they have met the course prerequisites.

Students may choose to sit for exams or not.

Students who sit for May exams and complete the internal and external assessments are awarded an IB certificate and may earn college credit.  Refer to the college website for details.

IB courses serve as Southridge's advanced level courses and help to satisfy Southridge Scholar recognition

Southridge HS IB Documents

Assessment Policy
Academic Integrity Policy
Language Policy
Inclusion Policy
Statewide College Awarded Credit 
General Regulations
IB Exam Information
 

 

Mission

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understan​ding and respect.

To this end the organization wor​ks with schools, governments​​ and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous asse​ssment.

​These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, ​can also be right. Visit IBO​ for more information ​

The Learner Profile

The International Baccalaureate Learner Profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them. Each of the IB's programmes is committed to the development of students according to the the IB Learner Profile. Visit the IB website for more information.

 

 

Anticipated Candidate: An anticipated candidate is a junior student who is the first year of an IB diploma program and who registers for one or two IB exams (sometimes called Junior Diploma Candidates).

Career-Related Program: The CP is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique program addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education.

Course Candidate: A course candidate is a student who is not a diploma or anticipated candidate, but who has met the course requirements and is taking one or more IB exams.

Creativity; Activity; Service (CAS): This refers to the extra-curricular requirements for the IB diploma. Candidates are required to log approximately 150 hours of CAS activities, divided among 3 areas: creativity, physical activity, and service. These are done during the junior and senior years). CAS Activities do not have to be school related.​ 

Diploma Candidate: An IB Diploma Candidate is a senior student who is in the second year of an IB Diploma program and has met all of the requirements to take his/her IB exams.

Extended Essay: The Extended Essay is a 3500-4000 word research essay that is a requirement for the IB Diploma. It has to be written in an IB subject. The Diploma Candidate has a faculty advisor to monito​r progress, but most of the work is done independently. 

Higher Level (HL): Higher Level IB courses are two-year courses that require 240 hours of instruction. Southridge has HL exams in English Literature, Psychology, History, Physics, Biology, Math, Music, and Art.

IB Exams: IB exams are prepared by the International Baccalaureate Curriculum and Assessment Office. They are administered during a three-week period beginning in May. They are assessed by IB examiners world-wide. Each subject exam has two or three "papers" (or "parts") and each paper is assessed by a different examiner. The exams are primarily essays, and the assessment is criterion based. 

Standard Level (SL): Standard level IB courses may be one or two-year courses that require 150 hours of instruction. Southridge has SL exams in Spanish, French, Psychology, Marine Science, ​Environmental Systems and Societies, Chemistry, Math, Music, Art, and Theatre.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Theory of Knowledge is an inquiry-based course that is the center of the IB curriculum. It is also a requirement for the IB Diploma, and is taken during the junior and senior years. Diploma Candidates are required to take both ToK I and ToK II. .

 

 

Video: IB Information night february 2022 (Recorded Zoom meeting)

                  
In which grades is the Diploma Program Offered?

• The Diploma Program is a two-year program of study in grades 11 and 12.

Who is the IB Diploma Program Coordinator?

• Natalie Ballard Strauhal

What is seen as the major value of the Diploma Program?

• The Diploma Program is increasingly seen as one of the most rigorous and prestigious pre-university courses of study in the world. Some reasons are these:

1. While students do have choices in constructing a program of study, they must fulfill requirements that ensure they will be exposed to a learning experience that will develop a multiple set of skills, through the study of literature, laboratory science, mathematics, proficiency in a second language and research in the humanities. In other words, students study across several major disciplines concurrently for a holistic learning experience.
2. The IB Diploma requirements for creativity, activity, and service match Southridge’s Mission Statement for well-rounded learners. Southridge embraces the IB Learner Profile as qualities we hope to develop in our learners.
3. The global mission of the IB Program is to produce future leaders who possess a wide range of skills and who are informed about world issues. In addition, the IB learner has an understanding of differing cultural approaches to dealing with these issues. Our graduates need an informed global perspective to enable them to compete effectively in an increasingly multinational workplace.
4. Multiple forms of assessment are used in all IB Diploma courses, not simply standardized objective testing allowing students to demonstrate skill and knowledge of content in my formats.
5. IB has international standards and an internationally recognized curriculum that connects Southridge students to the world.
6. We know that the IB Diploma Program, with its academic depth and rigor, is superb preparation for college studies and career readiness. Returning college freshmen repeatedly tell us how well prepared they feel at college. In many cases they receive college credit from their IB exam results. 

How many subjects must be chosen to study for the full IB Diploma, and how long are the courses?

• Six IB Diploma subjects must be studied. Higher level courses require 2 years at Southridge. Standard level courses require 1-2 years. HL courses cover a wider range of subject matter and the exams are longer.

When do students choose the Standard and Higher Level Exams and course of study?

• Any time before turning in forecasting sheets for the junior year. We encourage students to talk to teachers, other students, the IB DP Coordinator Natalie Ballard Strauhal, and IB Counselor Chris Martin to customize their diploma plan.

What factors might influence the decision as to whether or not a student should do the IB Diploma Program after the sophomore year?

1. There is a second language requirement in the Diploma Program from which students cannot be exempted. Students need to be at level 2 in their second language their sophomore year to begin at least level 3 in the DP their junior year.
2. If a student has serious difficulties with written work, the full IB Diploma Program might be stressful and the student’s grades could suffer. In such a case it is recommended the student take some but not all IB classes.

When are the final examinations in the Diploma Program?

• Exams must be taken in May of the senior year with the exception of 1 – 2 SL exams which may be taken in May of the junior year. These are called anticipated subjects.

What is the Diploma Program Fee?

• Approximately $600 over two years. Fee waivers may be available for students who are approved for free or reduced lunch . See Ms Ballard or Mr. Grimm for details.

When is Exam Registration?

• Students are registered when payment is received by October 31st. 

What are the requirements for an IB Diploma in addition to the exams?

1. The Extended Essay: A 4000 word authentic research paper on a topic chosen from IB any IB subject. IB externally assesses this. Although students select faculty advisors, this is independent student research. 
2. Theory of Knowledge: An additional class compulsory for IB Diploma candidates, ToK explores different “ways of knowing” through different academic disciplines and cultures. Critical analysis culminates in an essay that is assessed externally by an IB examiner.
3. Creativity, Activity, and Service: Students must engage in Activity (physical activity outside of PE class), Creativity (creative endeavors outside of classes), and Service (in the community without proselytizing) for the duration of the Diploma Program. Students write reflections on projects and experiences online on Managebac.

What grading and reporting system is used in the DP?

• The IB grading system is based on a 1-7 scale. It is criterion-referenced with 7 being the best score possible. The Extended Essay is scored with letter grades. See the IB website for more detail. (www.ibo.org)

How are exams graded and when do students get their results?

• The IB exams taken in their 6 subject groups are each graded out of 7. The Extended Essay and the Theory of Knowledge essay can together earn three additional points. A total of 24 points is needed to obtain the IB Diploma (other conditions apply as to the point distribution.) The results are released every year online by July 6.

Do colleges see these results?

• The IB transcript of exam results is only sent to colleges only at the student’s specific request.

How can I get more information about college and university IB recognition policies?

• Students and parents can access information from the university or college website of interest.

What kind of college credit is awarded?

• The credit awarded varies between universities. The best way to know is to visit the university website. All public universities and colleges in Oregon grant credit for SL and HL scores of 4 and above. 

Do Diploma Program teachers receive any training?

• In order to teach any IB class at Southridge, our instructors get the required extensive and intensive training. In this way, we can be sure that students are receiving the most current curricular content and ideas related to the subject area. Teachers also access the online curriculum center which connect them to international standards and teachers from all parts of the world.

For more information please contact Ms. Ballard Strauhal