Being an IB World School

Mountain View High School is an IB World School authorized to offer the IB Diploma Program. This page is meant to help students and families understand what it means to be an IB World School.

Authorization
Not just any high school can begin to offer IB courses; schools must first go through a specific, lengthy, and rigorous authorization process. MVHS went through the authorization process when we first opened as a school in 2005, which included submitting our program plan and curriculum to IB as well as an on-site visit by IB personnel to review our facilities and interview teachers and  administrators.

Accountability
Being an IB World School involves a high level of accountability for quality instruction and delivery of the IB Diploma Program content as well as meeting the IB Diploma Program Standards & Practices. Every five years, MVHS must conduct a review process and submit it to IB in order to maintain authorization as an IB World School. MVHS must create and maintain an IB Language Policy, IB Assessment Policy, IB Special Educational Needs Policy, Assessment Policy and Academic Integrity Policy that align with IB expectations and requirements. These documents must be regularly reviewed and revised/updated. IB teachers are expected to use the IB Approaches to Learning/Approaches to Teaching as well as using the IB Internal Assessment scoring criteria rubrics correctly and consistently; to ensure this, all required IB assessments scored by MVHS classroom teachers are moderated by external IB examiners.

International-Mindedness
IB World Schools seek to prepare students for our increasingly global society not only by encouraging second language acquisition but also by placing an emphasis on international-mindedness throughout the curriculum. Students are encouraged to learn about and discuss the nations, cultures, governments, languages, businesses, and outlooks of people around the globe. This includes learning about and appreciating America and its global role. The idea behind international-mindedness is to prepare today’s students for today’s world — one which is becoming “smaller” and more interconnected due to technology and communication advancements. IB Diploma Program graduates are well-prepared to take part in global society with a high degree of knowledge, skill, and confidence.