Choices for High School: IB and AP

Both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs give high school students an opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Depending on the college they attend, these courses can lead to advanced placement (skipping entry-level courses) or sometimes even receiving college credit for the coursework completed under these programs. The AP courses are accepted at virtually all U.S. colleges and universities, while the IB program has more limited acceptance within the U.S.

The AP program was begun in the U.S. to offer more challenging courses to capable high school students. An introductory college level course is offered followed by an examination in May. Students are rated on a five-point scale on the examination which is administered by the Educational Testing Service. Many overseas and American high schools participate in this program. Classes can be taken in just one subject or in a variety of subjects. Website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html  Also see AP International from The College Board

The IB program was designed through an international cooperative effort and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. This program offers an academically challenging curriculum emphasizing the philosophy of learning and the integration of disciplines for the last two years of high school. It can be supported by a curriculum beginning as early as elementary school. Because it is a comprehensive two-year program it can be difficult to transfer during that last two years and complete the IB diploma at a different school. Individual tests, however, can be taken for courses completed even if the full diploma program is not completed. Exams are completed in May with all exams centrally evaluated to set criteria by international examiners. Website: http://www.ibo.org

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs Offered in the Washington, DC Area

• Review course offerings at Washington area IB programs
• A listing of all schools that offer IB programs in the mid-Atlantic region

District of Columbia

• Benjamin Banneker Academic High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/Banneker.html
• Washington International High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/WIS.html

Maryland

Montgomery County Public Schools: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us

• Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/BCC.html
• Richard Montgomery High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/RM.html
• Springbrook High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/SHS.html

Virginia

Alexandria County Public Schools: http://www.acps.k12.va.us

• none available

Arlington County Public Schools:  http://arlington.k12.va.us

• Washington-Lee High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/WL.html

Fairfax County Public Schools:http://www.fcps.k12.va.us

• Thomas Edison High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/Edison.html
• George C. Marshall High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/GCM.html
• Mount Vernon High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/MV.html
• South Lakes High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/SLHS.html
• J.E.B. Stuart High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/JEBS.html
• Robinson Secondary School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/JEBS.html

Falls Church City Public Schools: http://www.fccps.k12.va.us

• George Mason High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/GM.html

Prince William County: http://www.pwcs.edu/

• Gar-Field High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/GF.html
• Stonewall Jackson High School - http://www.ibmidatlantic.org/Jackson.html

FLO Weblinks for Education Options for Foreign Service Children (K-12)

• Assignment Overseas: Overseas Schools
• Assignment Washington: U.S. Public and Private Schools
  • U.S. Public Schools in the Washington, DC Area
  • Private Schools in the Washington, DC Area
  • Choices for High School: IB and AP
  • Education Checklist for Returning to the Washington, DC Area 
• Boarding School Options
• Homeschooling and Online Education
• Summer Camp Resources
• Education Allowances
• Homework Helpers

Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office