Advanced Placement (AP)

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Courses:   AP courses are offered in a wide range of subjects and students may take those that appeal to them. Courses are designed to be challenging.

Courses:   IB courses are offered in a wide range of subjects. Students pursing the Diploma must take all IB courses from each of six subject areas, including a Theory of Knowledge course. IB Certificate students may pick and choose IB courses. Courses are designed to be challenging.

Exams: Nearly all students attend one, two or three semesters of an AP class to prepare for an exam: students with special knowledge may test without taking an AP class. AP students may not take IB exams.

Exams: Students taking IB exams must have 150 hours (1 year) for the Standard Level exam, or 240 hours (2 years) for a Higher Level exam. IB students may take both AP and IB exams.

Teachers: Teachers help students prepare for year-end exams. All AP teachers must be endorsed by their high school principal. They may receive training ranging from one day to one week. Training sessions are available to teachers in each of 32 subject areas. Training is not required. Teachers may choose to be trained in locations in nearly every state.

Teachers: Teachers help students prepare for year-end exams.  All IB teachers are required to be trained at 3-6 day workshops, nationally or internationally.  They submit projects, taped oral exams, lab books, papers, etc. to world-wide examiners who score them to provide standardization of quality and rigor.

Assessments: AP tests are evaluated by carefully selected and trained college and university professors and experienced AP teachers. Exams are sent to test centers around the nation.

Assessments: IB tests, papers, labs, oral tapes, etc. are scored on an international scale by carefully selected and trained examiners in countries all over the world.

College Admissions and Credit: Participation in AP courses can be  very helpful in gaining college admission. High scores on AP exams may garner college credit or advanced standing. Colleges around the U.S. recognize AP coursework and often allow college credit for successful AP exams.

College Admissions and Credit: Participation in the IB program can be  very helpful in gaining college admission. High scores on IB exams may garner college credit or advanced standing. Colleges around the world recognize IB coursework/diplomas and often allow college credit for successful IB exams. Some colleges skip the Diploma student a full year ahead.

Program Start-up: AP classes can be implemented as a school wishes, on an individual basis. Courses must be approved by Advanced Placement through the AP Course Audit Process.

Program Start-up: Since IB is a full program rather than a selection of classes, a broad range of courses must be available to all students and must, at all times, meet international requirements. Official IBO authorization and periodic program evaluation for standardization of quality and rigor is required of a school if it wishes to offer the program.