Thirty to 40 percent of Berkeley International High School (BIHS) students are International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidates, according to the BIHS Information page. BIHS is one of the small learning communities at Berkeley High School, with a student population of around 550. Students in BIHS have the opportunity to participate in the IB Diploma program, which is known worldwide for its rigor and international focus. For many students, the diploma means a better chance to get into a reputable college, and earn college credit as well as a path to international recognition.
The IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic excellence, but also a reminder of the pressures students face to achieve it, and the hard work diploma candidates put in throughout the process. “I think that it can seem a little bit overwhelming if you look at all of the requirements. The ability to compartmentalize is really important,” Izzy Zimmerman, a BIHS senior and IB Diploma candidate, said. Despite its challenges, the IB Diploma benefits students by preparing them for college and helping them develop skills such as time management, writing, and critical thinking. IB Coordinator Steadman Rogers explained the impact of the diploma on a student’s both academic and life readiness. “Since the IB offers holistic programs, a student pursuing the IB Diploma will also develop their self-management and affective skills. These are often referenced as factors that greatly influence success, but are rarely measured, like grades,” Rogers said.
According to the IB World Schools Yearbook, Berkeley High School is one of over 900 schools in the U.S. that offers the IB Diploma program. To students in BIHS, this choice impacts the rest of their high school experience. The choice to pursue the IB Diploma depends on many factors, such as course selection, college preparation/readiness, and global recognition. “I feel like there are some people who want to do it because they want to go to college internationally, and then there are some who want it to look good on college applications. And also, if you're in BIHS, then it's kind of ‘I might as well’, because you're already set up for it class-wise,” Tabitha Seibel, a BIHS sophomore who is not planning on going for the diploma, said. The requirements of the IB Diploma are extensive, and many students feel overwhelmed about the expected workload. “I'm definitely struggling with the workload a little bit. It's definitely a lot, very stressful," Mabel Athanasiou, a junior in BIHS who is a diploma candidate, said.
To receive the IB Diploma, students must complete six IB subjects over the course of two years, with at least three to four of those subjects being higher level (HL), which typically have more content and teaching hours, and the rest being standard level (SL), as well as taking part in a two-semester course called Theory of Knowledge. At the end of the course, students take the IB exam and are awarded points on a scale of 1-7. In addition to the courses, students pursuing the IB Diploma write a 3,000-4,000 word extended research essay on a topic of their choice and participate in Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) experiences. The academic rigor and difficulty of the IB program are not suitable for all students, and even high-achieving diploma candidates find themselves swamped with work.
Besides the rigorous curriculum and workload, going for the IB Diploma means you have limited choice in your electives due to the quantity of required classes, and might miss out on some of the other classes offered by BHS. “I would prioritize taking classes that interest you over getting the diploma,” Zimmerman said.
The IB Diploma is a challenge, but that’s part of what makes it valuable. The program pushes students to be analytical thinkers, manage their time efficiently, and understand the world from different perspectives — all skills that will stick with them long after high school. The intense academic curriculum prepares students for the challenges of college life in a way few other programs can. “Research from the IBO indicates that four-year college graduation rates for IB Diploma students is around 25-30 percent higher,” Rogers said. The program’s worldwide recognition makes it an especially appealing choice for students seeking an international education. “It definitely helps you get into schools internationally, if that's what you want to do. I also think that the amount of writing you have to do, and the amount of work you get, prepares you for college,” Athanasiou said.
Overall, the IB Diploma is not the path for everyone. It can be a grueling and exhausting process, and takes extensive time and effort. Getting the diploma can be very beneficial — 74 percent of IB Diploma graduates enrolled at a college immediately after high school (as opposed to the 64 percent national average) — though students who choose not to do so don't necessarily have a lower chance of getting into their top university or college. “I think it (getting the diploma) is definitely worth it for some people. But it's not like if you don't get it, you're wasting opportunity. It does depend on what you want to do and like, the workload you're willing to have,” Seibel explained. However, BIHS students who are interested in international study later in life and broadening their worldview through IB’s global lens should consider getting the diploma.“The IB Diploma is challenging, but it is a worthwhile consideration because students grow greatly in academic and personal skills, and in self-confidence that they are ready for the next stage in life,” Rogers said.
The hard work and hours spent studying for the exams, writing the Extended Essay, and performing CAS activities lead to acquired knowledge in many areas and skills crucial to everyday life.