International Baccalaureate Programme

Are you the type of student who is self-motivated, enjoys exploring global topics, seeks an academic challenge, and has a desire to be a competitive college applicant? The North Hall High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme could be for you!

In February 2008, North Hall High School earned the distinction of becoming an authorized IB World School. With this authorization, North Hall High School is able to offer our students one of the most rigorous high school programs of study that is recognized both nationally and internationally. The IB Diploma Programme equips students with skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and fostering intellectual curiosity. Emphasis is also placed on helping students become well-rounded individuals through creativity, activity and service activities. Through these activities students have opportunities to contribute to their local and global communities.  The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. (IB Learner Profile booklet 2006). The goal of the NHHS IB Diploma Programme is to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in high school, college, and life.

Please feel free to explore this website to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme at NHHS. Should you have any questions about the NHHS IB Diploma Programme, please feel free to contact IB Coordinator, Lori Barrett at Lori.barrett@hallco.org or 770.983.7331.

The IB Learner Profile

IB Diploma Programme Curriculum

The curriculum for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is prescribed.  Students must meet the IB DP requirements to receive the IB Diploma at the end of their two years of study. The IB curriculum is divided into six categories. The IB courses offered at NHHS are:

IB Categories IB Courses Offered at NHHS
Group 1 Student’s Best Language English HL*
Group 2 Modern Language Spanish B SL, Spanish ab initio SL
Group 3 Individuals and Societies History HL *
Group 4 Experimental Sciences Biology SL, Physics SL
Group 5 Mathematics Mathematics SL, Mathematical Studies SL
Group 6 Arts &  Electives Visual Arts HL, Music HL, IB Theatre Arts HL, IB Psychology HL, IB Design Technology SL/HL

*English HL and History of the Americas HL are required courses for full diploma candidates.

For students’ junior and senior years, they will choose one course from each of the six groups. Of those courses, three must be at thestandard level (SL) and three must be at the higher level (HL). Students can make their selection of courses based on their academic strengths and interests. The standard level courses and higher level courses are both rigorous in nature. The higher level courses expand upon the curriculum offered at the standard level and typically requires one or more additional internal and/or external assessments.

Core Elements of the IB Diploma Programme

To help students prepare for the expectations of college and become aware of the positive influence they can have on their own community, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme also requires three core elements.

Extended Essay A culminating research paper designed to teach students how to independently research topics, much like those they will be exposed to at the college/university level
Theory of Knowledge An interdisciplinary course that enables students to reflect critically on the question of “How do we know what we know?”
Creativity, Activity & Service Through creative activities, sports, volunteerism, etc., students build confidence in themselves while improving their communities (IBO expects students to make community contributions for an average of 2 hours each week over a students’ junior and senior years)

Extended Essay Website

TOK for Parents  (online resource)

New CAS Guide (Class of 2017 & beyond)

ManageBac login

IB Assessmts at a Glance Color (NHHS)

Benefits for Students


*Offers students a rigorous, pre-university course of study

*Develops students’ critical and analytical thinking skills (learn how to learn)

*Challenges students to consider and appreciate internationalism both within and beyond their communities and cultures

*Offers students opportunities to become an active participant in their community through volunteer and service projects

*Encourages fluency in a second language

*Offers an interdisciplinary, comprehensive, world class curriculum

*Provides an opportunity to conduct and write an independent research paper to prepare students with the skills to write college-level papers



IB Policies at North Hall

Academic Honesty Policy  B1.5e Academic Honesty Policy (NHHS)-revised

Assessment Policy B1.5d Assessment Policy (NHHS)-revised

Language Policy B1.5b Language Policy (NHHS)-revised

Special Education Policy B1.5c Special Education Needs Policy (NHHS)-revised