International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

Download the IB Application and IB Course Selection Sheet

LINK:  City Honors IB Diploma Program Blog

• City Honors is home to one of the oldest IB Diploma Programs in the world and was New York State’s first IB Diploma Program outside of the New York Metro area.

• The Diploma Program services juniors and seniors in high school. IB Diploma Candidates at City Honors take three IB Higher Level (HL) courses (240 course hours) and three IB Standard Level (SL) courses (150 course hours). In addition to this requirement, students must take one course from each of the five IB subject area groups and one elective course from Group 6 or Groups 1-4. At City Honors, all IB Diploma candidates take IB English HL and IB History of the Americas HL (year one of IB History is co-seated with AP US History & Government). Therefore, they must choose one more Higher Level course and three Standard Level courses.

• Group 1 - Language A HL(English at City Honors); Group 2 - Language B SL (French, Spanish, Mandarin); Group 3 - Individuals and Societies (History of the Americas HL); Group 4 - Experimental Sciences (Physics SL/HL, Biology SL/HL, Environmental Systems & Societies SL); Group 5 - Mathematics (Mathematics SL or Math Studies SL); Group 6 - Arts & Electives (Film HL, Visual Arts HL, Environmental Systems & Societies SL, Economics SL).

• The HL classes at City Honors are (click on the links to read IB's subject brief for that particular subject - not available for all subjects): English A1, Biology or Physics, Film, Visual Arts, and History of the Americas.

• The SL classes at City Honors are (click on the links to read IB's subject brief for that particular subject - not available for all subjects): Math Studies or Mathematics SL, Biology (over two years) or Physics (over two years), Environmental Systems & Societies, French B, Spanish B or Mandarin B, and Economics.

• In addition to the balance between the humanities and sciences, the IB Diploma Program includes three core requirements: TOK, CAS, & the Extended Essay.

1. Theory of Knowledge (TOK): an interdisciplinary course designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspective.

2. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service work, thus fostering students’ awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena. The goal is to complete 150 hours over two years with a balance of hours between the three areas. Reflection on CAS activities is a key element of completing this requirement.

3. Extended Essay (EE): has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words. It offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest, and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected in college.

•  The rigor of the IB Diploma Program is recognized by the world’s leading universities and IB Diploma Candidates are accepted into colleges and universities at higher rates than those who are not.

•  Our candidates go on to attend such universities as: Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Penn, Cornell, Brown, Howard, NYU, University at Buffalo Honor’s College, and SUNY Geneseo’s Honors Program.

The program not only prepares students for the academic challenges of college, but it also gives them a chance to receive college credit. Many of our graduates have received 18-36 college credits for their IB Diploma and sophomore standing. This directly translates into monetary savings because enough credit can be gained to eliminate an entire year of college.

The IB recognition policy of thousands of colleges and universities in the United States can be accessed here. Please note, not every entry is 100% accurate. It is recommended that the website of the particular college/university of interest be consulted. (Also, performing a web search for - college name, international baccalaureate, credit - usually works well.)

Frequently asked questions and other information about the program can be found here.  (PDF, 147 KB)

IB's brochure on "Why do universities value IB students?" can be downloaded here. (PDF, 863 KB)

IB's brochure on "Understanding the IB Diploma Program scores" can be downloaded here. (PDF, 1 MB)

IB's brochure for universities on the Learner Profile can be downloaded here.

      The Coordinator of City Honors IB Diploma Program is Elissa Morganti Banas.

International Baccalaureate Transcript Information