Why should I choose the IB program?
- IB develops critical thinkers and global learners. Watch the short video below to hear IB graduates' talk about how their IB programs changed their lives.
How do I join the IB program at Venice High School?
- If you live in the Venice High boundaries, talk to your counselor about enrolling in Pre-IB courses as a freshman or sophomore and the Diploma or Career Programs as a junior. If you live outside the Venice High boundaries, please fill out an application for our magnet program. A student can apply to the magnet program as an entering freshman, sophomore, or junior.
Can I join IB as a senior?
- Yes and no. If you're a senior, you're welcome to enroll in a one-year IB course. However, since most IB courses and programs are two-years long, students who wish to join them must do so as juniors.
What's the difference between the Diploma and Career Programmes?
- The Diploma Programme (DP) is a survey of academic courses at the IB level. Students take IB courses in six subject areas. The Career Programme (CP) is for students who wish to focus on a career area and take intensive courses in that area. Students in the CP take IB courses and career and technical education courses. At VHS we offer career paths in Business, Computer Science, Digital Design, Digital Media, Engineering, Medical and ROTC. Feel free to download the DP/CP comparison chart in the "Downloads" section for more specific information on this topic. Please watch the videos below for more information on each of the two programs!
What courses do I need to take to be ready for the DP and CP programmes?
- For the Diploma Program, VHS recommends completing Algebra II Honors, finishing Spanish or French 2, and earning a 3 or higher on the FSA Reading test to be most successful in the program. For CP, students are required to complete two years of coursework in their career pathway and earn a 3 or higher on the FSA Reading test. IB students should also have minimal absences, a positive attitude, and a clean discipline record.
What is the IB core?
- IB considers thinking/reflection, research, and service at the core of all learning. In order to promote those skills in students, IB requires three core learning pieces for DP students: the Theory of Knowledge course, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS). CP students also have core learning pieces including the Personal and Professional Skills course, the Reflective Project, Language Development, and Service Learning.
Is IB only for students who make straight As?
- No. IB is for students who want to learn and challenge themselves to do so. IB students sometimes receive Bs in their classes, because they're learning or practicing material that's new to them. A student in the IB program take IB subjects, where they're strong already and ones where they're still practicing. However, practicing is a part of learning!
I heard there is a lot of homework every night. Someone said 6 hours or more! Is that true?
- No! In an anonymous survey of IB DP and CP students, all students (both grades and both programs) reported having no more than 10-15 hours of homework a week). It's not mathematically possible that a student would have 6 or more hours a night.
If I don't earn an IB diploma, will I still graduate?
- Yes. The IB diploma isn't awarded until after graduation. As long as you complete all the required courses designated by the state of Florida, you'll earn a high school diploma.
If I finish an IB program and don't earn the Diploma or Career Certificate, will IB still help me?
- Most definitely! Depending on your college, you can earn college credits for individual courses passed even if you don't earn the full diploma designation. Most colleges will award credit for courses where students receive a 4 (out of 7) or higher. Also, colleges and universities know that students who complete an IB programme are well-rounded, global learners with great time management and research skills. DP and CP students are more likely to be accepted to and be successful in a college environment due to the skills learned while participating in IB.