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International Baccalaureate at Edmonds Woodway

    

A World-Class Education Awaits You at Edmonds Woodway High School's IB Diploma Program

Nick Wellington is the IB Coordinator at Edmonds-Woodway High School.  If you have any questions about the program - or if you want to share comments or concerns - please contact Mr. Wellington.

  • Schedule time with me to discuss your questions over phone or Zoom video conference.
    • You can reach me by phone at: 425-431-6168
    • Email: wellingtonn@edmonds.wednet.edu

Numerous program changes have occurred over the years, so we are truly the best source of information about the IB program at EWHS.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
 

Are you an 8th grader ready to apply to the IB program at EWHS?

First - Attend one of two EWHS IB 8th grade parent nights:

  1. Thursday, October 6th @6:30 PM  
  2. Wednesday, November 2nd @6:30PM 

See Flyer for convenient reference

 

Click here to take you to the application process page.

Decisions about the 2023-2024 application process will be sent on Friday, February 10th via the applicants email.

IBO MISSION STATEMENT

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 organizations to develop challenging programmes 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. 

OVERVIEW OF THE EWHS IB PROGRAM

Edmonds-Woodway High School hosts one of the largest - and most successful - IB programs in the Pacific Northwest.  Since IBO authorization in 1996, the full-IB Program has grown to represent over 525 students in both the Junior and Senior classes; in fact, most EWHS Juniors and Seniors are now taking at least 1 IB class each year.

Students in grades 9-10 take a prescribed honors curriculum to prepare for success in IB courses, which are taken during the 11th and 12th grades. 

Currently, over 300 students are enrolled in the 9-10 honors program, over 525 Juniors and Seniors are registered for one or more IB classes, and over 150 students in grades 11-12 are currently working towards the full-IB diploma!  Clearly, many of our students are finding success in the IB program. 

Here's a story from the Edmonds Beacon highlighting some of our students:

https://edmondsbeacon.villagesoup.com/p/students-making-their-own-dreams-at-edmonds-woodway/1815955

The IB Diploma Program is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education that prepares students for success at university and life beyond.  The IBO program provides a package of education that balances subject breadth and depth while encouraging international-mindedness, starting with a foundation in a student's own language and culture. The IBO program has gained a reputation for the rigor of its program - and its high international standards - making this a qualification welcomed by universities worldwide.
 

IB Courses Offered at EWHS

All IB courses are open to all EWHS students; students register for specific IB courses during Spring course registration.

  • English: IB Language & Literature (HL)
  • Math Applications and Interpretations (SL), Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (SL) and Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (HL)
  • Chinese (Mandarin), French, and Spanish (SL, HL, and ab initio options)
  • History of the Americas (SL and HL)
  • Global Politics (SL)
  • Biology (SL and HL); Chemistry (SL and HL); Marine Science (SL); and Physics (SL)
    • EWHS is the only high school in Western Washington to offer Chemistry HL - Excellent preparation for STEM majors at University.
  • Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SL)*NEW
  • Art History (SL) 
  • Business & Management (SL and HL)
  • Music (SL and HL)
  • Theater (SL)*NEW
  • Psychology (SL and HL)
  • Visual Arts (SL and HL)

In addition to courses from the list above, full-IB diploma candidates also take the Theory of Knowledge course, engage in a specialized research paper in a subject area of choice (the Extended Essay), and commit to Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) hours. IB learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective.

Students take written examinations at the end of the diploma program, which are marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external examiners or sent directly to world-wide examination sites. Marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).  Students can also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results in Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.  The IB diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points (in addition to allowing for IBO point requirements). Assessment is criterion-based, which means student performance is measured against pre-specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations.

IB is a challenging program that demands effort from both motivated students and teachers.  The EWHS IB staff is committed to an extensive program of IB professional development that, in addition to three levels of workshop training, also includes access to an online curriculum center that provides program documentation, examples of student work, and acts as a hub for an international community of teachers.

For further information on the program, please see the Powerpoint found in Documents or to the IBO site found at www.ibo.org