In the world of high school education, incoming students have many options for classes at Skyline High School, including International Baccalaureate (IB), Honors, and on-level classes. While each path has its own advantages, there is academic speculation about whether or not IB and Honors classes are essential for academic success post-graduation.
The International Baccalaureate program offers a rigorous curriculum intended to foster critical thinking, holistic development, and global awareness. This curriculum often emphasizes its ability to prepare students for higher education and promotes the idea that it allows students to receive a comprehensive educational experience.
It is important to remember that success in the academic sphere is not determined solely by the academic rigor a student undergoes. Different students have different learning styles that help them to succeed. For some, the pace of these IB classes might need to align with their optimal learning environment.
In my IB Biology class, most of the notes we take on the content we cover are assigned as homework to be completed. The next day, Ms. VonBargen reviews what we covered, and we will often do a hands-on demo or lab demonstrating the concept covered in the notes. Due to IB being very standardized in its way of teaching, it can be more challenging for some students to learn optimally in this way.
For some students, taking notes at home as opposed to hearing them spoken about for the first time by the teacher is not the most beneficial way to learn, thus causing them to struggle to fit into the teaching style of that particular IB class and causing them not to gain the benefit of participating in the rigorous course.
Similarly, the demanding nature of IB classes can overwhelm students and take a heavy toll on their mental and emotional well-being. The pressure to excel academically, combined with the heavy workload and other pressures involved in day-to-day life, can be too much for high school students.
I remember discussing my options with my mom about classes I should take. We both knew that I was heavily involved with my sport outside of school and that rowing was one of the things that made me the happiest. I knew that I wanted to be able to dedicate time to that outside of school. Many people I know who participate in many IB classes need more time for their old extracurriculars.
Although receiving good grades is important, it is also essential to prioritize mental health for the long-term success of the student. This can also help to avoid excessive stress and eventual burnout. When choosing the path that is correct for you, it is important to consider your current lifestyle and whether you are willing to give that up to participate in IB classes.
That being said, competing in IB classes without going through the IB Diploma route is possible. This is an excellent option because it allows you to pick and choose IB classes you are interested in.
Meg Reilly, a current junior taking IB Exercise and Health Science said “I like taking IB classes because it lets me learn alot about the topics I care about and it is more interesting that normal classes.” This further emphasizes the idea that if you know what you find interesting, IB can be a great choice.
Many choose Biology because they find it exciting or they might want to go into a medical field. This allows a deep understanding of the content due to IB’s intense depth involved in its curriculum without the pressure of taking 7 IB classes in one year.
Payton Kujat, a current senior at Skyline High School is completing the IB Diploma route and will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall. “In the end I’m really glad that I did IBDP but it has been really difficult. I do not really do anything outside of school and work to be honest” Kujat said. “In junior year especially, I felt like I had so much work and no time to get it done.”
The demanding nature of IB classes can sometimes affect students’ mental and emotional well-being. The pressure to excel academically and a heavy workload may lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Prioritizing mental health and maintaining a balanced lifestyle are crucial components of long-term success.
While initially, it might not seem like it, an IB education can also come with significant financial costs. These can include exam fees, materials expenses, and taking the course itself. The cost of taking an IB test at the end of the class is around $120, which is expensive alone, without considering the total price if you take more than one IB course during your time in high school.
Kujat took many IB tests which cost an equivalent cost of around $600. “I remember looking at how expensive it would be to take all of my IB tests and I was so surprised at how expensive it was to take a test I might not pass.”
For some students, these financial burdens can outweigh the benefits of IB classes, especially when other educational paths are also included in the high school tuition cost.
While advanced courses such as IB can provide an enriching educational experience, these classes are unnecessary for success. You are the only person who can decide which path is best for you. Making the correct choice involves knowing your learning style, interests, time available for taking these classes, and financial situation.
Whether you opt for IB or regular courses, students should remember to prioritize their passions while on their educational journey, and taking more advanced courses than someone else does not automatically guarantee success in life.