ABOUT IB AT MVHS

Mountain View High School offers the 2-year IB Diploma Program for 11th and 12th grade students in conjunction with the sequence of 9th and 10th grade courses to form a rigorous four-year program of study.

'Full' vs. 'Partial' IB

Students zoned to attend MVHS may enroll in the full IB Diploma Program or they may elect to take IB courses in just those subjects in which they have a particular interest and ability. Students who transfer from another SCPS high school zone to MVHS for IB must enroll in the full IB Diploma Program (may not transfer for individual IB courses). 

'Full' IB Diploma Program Participation

Students who pursue the IB Diploma (IBDP) are working towards earning their VA Advanced Studies Diploma as well as an International Baccalaureate Diploma, simultaneously. When they have succeeded, they will hold two diplomas.

11th and 12th graders pursuing the IBDP are considered IB Diploma candidates. They take IB courses in the 4 core areas (English, math, science, social studies) as well as an IB course in a world language and an IB elective course. In addition to these academic requirements, IBDP juniors and seniors complete 3 additional IB core requirements (Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, Creativity-Activity-Service) in order to earn the IB Diploma.

'Partial' IB Program Participation

Students who elect not to pursue the IB Diploma may still pursue IB scores in individual subjects. They may mix-and-match these courses with AP and Dual Enrollment courses at MVHS. We often refer in an unofficial way to this as “partial” IB Program participation (indicating that the student is not committed to the full IBDP). Students who complete individual IB courses are working toward earning a Certificate of Results for each subject they complete. They do not complete the core requirements required of full IBDP students.

Students pursuing IB Certificates of Results in individual subjects may begin their IB coursework in 11th grade.