IB at Lincoln High School

At Lincoln we offer IB courses across a wide range of subjects including English, World Languages, Social Sciences, Lab Sciences, Math and the Arts. IB Courses are primarily for juniors and seniors. All junior and senior students at Lincoln take at least two IB Courses. There are two ways for Lincoln students to take IB Courses. They can enroll as Diploma Candidates or as Course Candidates.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a broad-based, two-year course of study for juniors and seniors, presented through six academic areas with a few specific requirements. Students study English, an additional world language; a humanities or social science subject; an experimental science; mathematics; and one of the creative arts or an additional course from the previous subjects. This comprehensive range of subjects makes the Diploma Programme a demanding course of study that is intended to prepare students effectively for college. In each of the academic areas, students have flexibility in making their choices, enabling them to select subjects that interest them. Approximately 20% of each graduating class opts to pursue the IB Diploma. Diploma Candidates are required to complete the Extended Essay, CAS Hours, and to take the Theory of Knowledge class. 

Students who opt to take individual IB Courses (much like taking individual AP courses) and are not enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme are called Course Candidates. If they complete the course requirements and elect to sit for the IB Exam, they will earn individual scores for each IB class (from their assessment results) that have the potential of earning college credits. Course Candidates are not required to complete the Extended Essay, CAS Hours, or the Theory of Knowledge class. 

IB Assessments

IB students are evaluated according to both internal (evaluation by classroom instructors) and external (written exams taken at the end of the course that are marked by IB examiners) assessments. All assessments are criterion-based. Student scores for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students must achieve a minimum score of 24 points through their performance on six IB exams in order to earn the IB Diploma. Students may earn up to three additional points for their combined results in Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.

Core Elements Of The Diploma Programme

All Diploma Programme students participate in the three requirements that make up the essential core:

• The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, to reflect on the process of learning in all the subjects they study as part of their Diploma Programme course, and to make connections across the academic areas.
• The Extended Essay (EE), a substantial piece of independent research and writing of up to 4,000 words, enables students to investigate a self-selected topic of special interest.
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) involves students in experiential learning through a range of artistic, sporting, physical, and community service activities.

IB Diploma Requirements

During their junior and senior years, IB Diploma candidates are required to complete coursework in all six areas of study (English, a second world language, history, science, mathematics and the fine arts or an IB elective). Students also must complete at least three (and not more than four) Higher Level courses and three Standard Level courses.

Students will achieve the IB Diploma based upon successful completion of their six courses, their Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge (TOK I and II) courses, and the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) component.

IB Diploma Programme Courses offered by LHS

LHS provides a variety of courses across the subject areas to ensure a degree of flexibility and specialization for candidates. Students are invited to review our course planner to explore our courses and choose which ones might be best for their interests, strengths, and aspirations. 

Visit the International Baccalaureate online for more information about the IB Diploma Programme.