Students apply to the comprehensive IB Program in the middle of sophomore year, and those who are admitted complete the two-year program in their junior and senior years. The application process is discussed with students and parents during sophomore year.

Students who take Xaverian Honors (Pre-AP/IB) courses freshman and sophomore years are best prepared for the rigor of IB classes; however, Xaverian Honors (Pre-AP/ IB) courses are not prerequisites for IB. Strong performance in previous classes and teachers’ recommendations are the best indicators for admission into and success in the IB Program.

Admission to the IB Program is based upon one’s academic performance while a Good Counsel student, an application essay, and teacher recommendations.

Whereas AP courses focus on acquiring subject content that is then assessed by a major summative exam to determine “college readiness” in the subject, the IB Program is a two-year, integrated program of studies where students dive deeply into topics to hone the skills necessary to approach problem solving and critical thinking. IB courses are inquiry-based, focusing on critical skills and completing assessments relevant to each academic discipline. Success in the IB Program can result in the awarding of the IB Diploma, a credential that can lead to receiving college credit and/or advanced standing upon entering university.

• A two-year interdisciplinary seminar called Theory of Knowledge in which students develop critical thinking and communication skills as they explore the ways in which perceptions are shaped
• A 4,000-word paper exploring an area of particular interest to the student; initiated, developed, and completed during the first year through a guided research and writing course
• A demonstrated engagement with learning and growth outside the classroom through participation in extracurricular activities, service, and individual areas of interest

Most major universities recognize the rigor and quality of IB’s approach to academics. Because IB courses are designed to develop skills as well as knowledge, colleges and universities welcome the IB student as someone who is particularly suited to the demands of the college curriculum. Colleges generally view students who complete the whole program more favorably than they do students taking isolated courses.