Frequently Asked Questions about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at


Leander High School




1) What is IB?


The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) is a comprehensive two-year advanced academic studies program that begins in a student’s junior year of high school. The program covers curriculum in six subject areas including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, and the Electives. Students who pursue the IB diploma program have taken courses equivalent to first year college courses and may receive advanced standing and/or college credit for their work.



2) How does IB differ from the Advanced Placement (AP) courses?


IB and AP are similar in that students are exposed to college level curriculum in both courses and take exams to demonstrate their learning, which may lead to college credit at the university level. IB and AP are different in that IB is a whole curricular program the encompasses 6 different subject areas as well as a theory of knowledge courses, an extended essay, and a creativity, action, service component. Advanced Placement is course specific, and each course is independent of any other AP course offered.



3) Can a student take both AP and IB Courses?


Yes. In fact, many of the courses at Leander High School are taught within the same classroom with a blended curriculum. Often times, IB students will also take the equivalent AP exam for some courses.



4) Since the program doesn’t start until the 11th grade year of high school, what should I be doing now to prepare if I am interested?


In middle school, students who may be interested in IB courses should be preparing to enter an advanced course sequence once they start high school in the ninth grade. This includes taking a minimum of Algebra I in the 8th grade. Although not required, it can benefit students to start their foreign language in the seventh grade. Taking 8th grade QUEST English or Advanced 8th grade Language Arts is also recommended.



5) What courses should I be taking in 9th and 10th grade to prepare me for IB?


Students who wish to enroll in the IB program should be enrolled in Advanced English, Advanced Mathematics, Advanced Science, and Advanced Social Studies in 9th and 10th grade. In addition, students must start their foreign language in the 9th grade if they did not start in middle school.



6) How do I apply for the IB program at LHS?


The application process for IB is two-fold. In the spring of their 8th grade year, students should fill out the one page IB application form available from the middle school counseling office. Students must also complete an application for each one of the 9th grade advanced courses; these forms are available from middle school teachers beginning in mid-January.



7) Do I have to take foreign language in middle school to do IB at LHS?


No. Although it may help a student in the foreign language course sequence, a student can start their foreign language in 9th grade to participate in the IB program.



8) Do I have to have credit for Algebra I prior to starting 9th grade to do IB at LHS?


Yes. The IB mathematics course sequence requires that students are able to take Calculus level work. Students who were unable to take Algebra I prior to starting high school should discuss other options with the LHS IB Coordinator.



9) If I do not live in the attendance zone for Leander High School, do I have to transfer to LHS to do the IB program?


Yes. Students who are in the IB program must be in attendance full-time at Leander High School.



10) When do I need to transfer?


Students who are interested in IB should transfer to start LHS as a ninth grade student. Although you can transfer prior to the 10th or 11th grade year, a student’s best preparation will be to complete all four years at LHS. The teachers who teach the 9th and 10th grade advanced courses at Leander High School have received the same IB training that the 11th and 12th grade IB teachers have received. Some pre-IB work takes place in those 9th and 10th grade classes. Students who wait to transfer until the start of 11th grade will be at a slight disadvantage having not had the pre-IB exposure.



11) If I am a transfer student, what happens if I decided to drop an advanced or and IB course?


Students who transferred from another LISD high school campus to attend LHS for IB will be required to transfer back to their home campus at the end of the semester in which they dropped an advanced course.



12) If I choose to transfer to LHS from another attendance zone, will transportation be provided?


We want to make the IB program available to all interested students. In addition, we would like to examine transportation options for individual students who may be interested. This will be examined on a case by case basis. If you are interested in what transportation options may be available; please check the appropriate box on the IB application form.