International Baccalaureate

Overview

The International Baccalaureate program at Mira Loma is part of the International Baccalaureate Organization's world-wide system of schools.  The IBO's mission statement clearly indicates the philosophical approach of all IB schools:

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 programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. (www.ibo.org)

The IBO offers three distinct programs: Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Years.  At Mira Loma we offer both the Middle Years Program (MYP) and the Diploma Program (DP).

Middle Years Program

The IB Middle Years Program is designed for students aged 11 through 15.  In our district this program begins at Winston Churchill Middle School which offers years 1 through 3.  Here at Mira Loma we offer the final two years, 4 and 5, of the Middle Years Program. 

Middle Years students are in classes which feature a student centered approach to learning.  All Middle Years classes are coordinated around the areas of interaction - interdisciplinary themes which unify the student's educational experience.  Some middle years students complete a personal project in the 10th grade which enables them to earn an IB Middle Years Certificate.   

It is not necessary for Mira Loma Middle Years students to have completed the first three years of the curriculum at Churchill. 

Diploma Program

Here at Mira Loma we have a very inclusive diploma program.  Students in the junior and senior years can opt to pursue one of three different options: 

          Diploma Candidates take six IB courses of study leading to six examinations, do 150 hours of community service and write an extended research essay.

          Mira Loma Associate Candidates take four IB courses of study leading to four examinations and do 100 hours of community service. 

          Mira Loma Certificate Candidates take three or IB courses leading to three or fewer IB examinations.

Most years we have between six hundred and seven hundred students enrolled in IB MYP and Diploma courses on our campus.
 

For more detailed information, you can follow the link below to Mr. Mathews' website

Alternate IB Testing site map (gif file - 13kb)
The alternate IB testing site map. La Sierra Community Center.

IB Program Handbook (pdf file - 957kb)
This handbook explains the implementation of the IB Program at Mira Loma High School. The handbook is produced by the IB Parents Organization. We hope this will answer many of your questions and concerns.