Nogales High School

AP/IB/Honors

NHS HONORS PROGRAM

Honors courses are offered to meet the needs of academically talented students. Special instructions and motivation are provided for students whose potential is above the general school population. More challenging academic work is given to students in the subjects areas of English, Fine Arts, History, Mathematics, Modern Language, Science, and others. These course offerings are available to all students, but are recommended for highly motivated students because of the quality, as well as quantity, of the work expected. Arizona standards of Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, Viewing/Visual Representation and the Mathematics standards are covered in all Honors level classes. Students in the Honors classes will be expected to have met all standards at the Distinction Level.

The NHS Honors Curriculum revolves around three programs. The first is the well-recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) program that offers a core curriculum of six subject areas and other requirements that lead to the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma. Students who do not want to pursue the complete diploma may sign up for the individual classes and take exams for certificates. Both the IB Diploma and the IB Certificates can earn college level credit. The second part of the Honors Curriculum is the Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered in several subject areas. AP offers individual classes taught on the college level and exams that can also earn students college level credit. Some classes teach IB and AP simultaneously in the same class; these are designated with AP/IB in front of the title of the class. The third program is the NHS Honors Diploma.

NOGALES HIGH SCHOOL HONORS DIPLOMA

Since 1998, Nogales High School has offered an Honors Diploma for those students willing and able to dedicate time and effort to academics. Honors Diploma recipients are recognized at graduation. The requirements for receiving this diploma are:

1. Course hours: 12 Honors courses credits
2. 3.5 GPA on a non-weighted 4.0 scale for all classes. GPA after 7 semesters is used to determine Honors Diploma.
3. External Exams: 4 (IB/AP/SAT II Exams)
4. Community Service (referred to as CAS): 100 total documented hours (junior and senior years)
5. Student must attend NHS during 7th and 8th semesters to qualify for the Honors Diploma.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES

The Advanced Placement Program offers able and ambitious students an opportunity to study one or more college-level courses and receive high school credit. Depending on Advanced Placement examination results, students may receive college credit when they enter a university. All AP courses are weighted for GPA. Taking an AP examination may benefit the student in the following ways:

1. Exemption from low-level beginning college courses and the opportunity to elect higher level courses
2. Exploration of undergraduate subject areas that otherwise would not be available
3. Eligibility for honors and other special programs not open to students who have not received AP recognition
4. Fewer credits to complete during college years
5. Saving time and money by being granted a year of credit and sophomore standing for three of four examinations.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM

International Baccalaureate is a complete course of study leading to an international college entrance level diploma. It has become popular in the US as upper level courses. In International Baccalaureate courses, the highly motivated, the gifted, and the student who truly wants the maximum from the high school experience will find a challenge to work in an encouraging environment. There is a great deal of individualized work (see General Overview IB Diploma Program).

Nogales High School includes in its IB offerings courses in 3 languages, history, science, mathematics, and art. A student may select one or more courses or a full diploma program. All IB courses are weighted for GPA.

Taking IB examinations may result in:
1) Exemption from low-level beginning college courses and the opportunity to elect higher level courses
2) Admission to honors courses or programs not open to all
3) Being looked upon more favorably for college applications
4) Fewer credits to complete during college years
5) Saving time and money by being granted a year of credit and sophomore standing for Higher Level IB examinations

General Overview
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, leading to examinations for students aged sixteen to nineteen. Based on the pattern of no single country, it is a deliberate compromise between the specialization required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. The general objectives of the IB are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through shared academic experience. In the thirty years since its founding, the IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. The student who satisfies its demands demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of the subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world. Colleges and universities are well served by encouraging the enrollment of these able young scholars.

Unique Characteristics
The program offers special features in addition to the traditional strengths of a liberal arts curriculum.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. TOK challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based on the analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. The key element in the IBO's educational philosophy, Theory of Knowledge seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives.

Creativity, action, service is known by its acronym CAS and is a fundamental part of the diploma curriculum. The CAS requirement takes seriously the importance of life outside the world of scholarship, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the academic self-absorption some may feel within a demanding school program. Participation in theater productions, sports and community service activities encourages young people to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others. The goal of educating the whole person citizenry comes alive in an immediate way when students reach beyond themselves and their books.
Extended Essay. Diploma candidates are required to undertake original research and write an extended essay of some 4,000 words. This project offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at university. There are currently 60 subjects, including more than 35 languages, in which the essay may be written.
The grading system used by the International Baccalaureate Organization is criterion referenced. This means that each student's performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement consistent from one examination session to the next. Top grades are not simply awarded "on a curve" to a certain percentage of candidates but rather reflect attainment of knowledge and skills relative to set standards equally applied to all schools. Validity, reliability, and fairness are the watchwords of the IBO's international assessment strategy.

The Curriculum
International curriculum planners seek to ensure that the organization's educational aims are embodied in the structure and content of the program itself. The diploma is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the core. Subjects are studied concurrently and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences.

Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). HL courses represent 240 teaching hours, SL courses over 150 hours. By arranging work in this fashion, students are able to explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two-year period; this is a deliberate compromise between the early specialization preferred in some national systems and the breadth found in other.

Distribution requirements ensure that the science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures. While overall balance is maintained, flexibility in choosing higher level concentrations allows the student to pursue areas of personal interest and to meet special requirements for university entrance.

IB Mission Statement
Through comprehensive and balanced curricula coupled with challenging assessments, the International Baccalaureate Organization aims to assist schools in their endeavors to develop the individual talents of young people and teach them to relate the experience of the classroom to the realities of the world outside. Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship, to the end that IB students may become critical and compassionate thinkers, lifelong learners, and informed participants in local and world affairs, conscious of the shared humanity that binds all people together while respecting the variety of cultures and attitudes that makes for the richness of life.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CURRICULUM AT NHS
(NHS students will have the following options among the six groups of IB's core curriculum)

Group 1
LANGUAGE A1-ENGLISH AND SPANISH
(opportunity for bilingual diploma)
Group 2 Group 3
LANGUAGE B, AB INITIO INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY
Spanish History of Europe
French
English
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Extended Essay
Theory of Knowledge
Creativity, Action, Service
Group 4 Group 5
EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE MATHEMATICS
Biology Math HL
Environmental Systems Math Methods
Chemistry Math Studies
Group 6
ELECTIVE SUBJECT
Art/ Design, Music, Theater,
Additional language or science

The Diploma Candidates choose their program of six subjects to be studied over two years, from the following:

Group 1 Language A1 (best language) including a study of selections from World Literature.

Group 2 Language A2 (second language) - provides a language/literature course for highly competent or bilingual speakers of the target language.

or Language B (second language) - provides a foreign language course for students with previous experience of learning the language. It is a communicative program.

or Language AB INITIO (second language) - a foreign language course, offered at Subsidiary Level only, for students who have no previous experience of learning the target language.

Group 3 Individuals and Societies: History, Geography, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Anthropology, Business and Organization.

Group 4 Experimental Sciences: Biology, Chemistry HL, General Chemistry SL, Applied Chemistry SL, Physics, Environmental Systems SL.

Group 5 Mathematics: Mathematics HL, Advanced Mathematics SL, Mathematical Methods SL, Mathematical Studies SL.

Group 6 Electives: Art/Design, Music, Theater Arts, Latin, Classical Greek, Computing Studies, a third modern language, a second subject from Humanities or Experimental Sciences Group, Advanced Mathematics SL, or a School based Syllabus approved by IB.
Example of a four year plan for IB Diploma/Honors Diploma at NHS:

Freshman Year:
English: Honors English I
Mathematics: Algebra I; Algebra II
Science: IB Biology/Environmental Systems
History: Non European World History/Geography; World History/World Geography
Modern Language: Spanish-IB B year I for non-native speakers; Nivel I or Nivel II for native speakers; Nivel III if recommended by teacher. French-IB French I AB Initio
Vocation/Fine Arts: Drama, Art I, Mariachi, Ceramics, Band, General Woods, Graphic Arts, or Beginning Foods
*Physical Education
*Recommendation to take during summer school

Sophomore Year:
English: Honors English II
Mathematics: Trigonometry (if student is testing at higher level); Geometry (if student is testing at standard level)
Science: Chemistry IB I Pre: Algebra I
History: AP European World History/Geography; US History; AP US History
Modern Language: Spanish-IB B year II for non-native speakers; Nivel II or AP Spanish for native speakers. French-IB French II

Junior Year:
English: English III IB
Mathematics: Calculus I (if student is testing at higher level); Trigonometry (if student is testing at standard level)
Science: IB Chemistry II
History: IB/AP History of Europe I; US History (if not yet taken)
Modern Language: Spanish-IB Spanish A year I for native speakers; IB Spanish B if not yet taken for non-native speakers; (If IB Spanish B year I and II have been completed it is recommended to take AP Spanish or Level III). French-IB French III

Senior Year:
English: English IV IB
Mathematics: Calculus II (if student is testing at higher level); Math Methods or Math Studies (if student is testing at standard level)
Science: IB Biology II/IB Environmental Systems II
History of Europe: IB History of Europe II
TOK: Theory of Knowledge
Modern Language: IB Spanish A year II or IB French IV
*US Government: Recommended to take by correspondence

Other Important Information

*Courses required by NHS for graduation:
United States Government 1
United States History 1
Physical Education 1
Fine Arts 1

*Required for IB Diploma:
Theory of Knowledge
Extended Essay
Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS)

*IB Diploma Candidates are exempt from doing the Senior Exhibition, but they must be a declared diploma candidate and write and present the 4,000 word IB extended essay in lieu of the requirements.

*IB Diploma Candidates must take subject areas and take two years of every subject area recommended by the IB curriculum. At least three IB exams must be taken at Higher Level. The candidate must obtain a minimum of 24 points to receive the IB Diploma. If the candidate obtains a "2" on a Higher Level exam, the candidate must then obtain 28 points to receive the diploma. No "1's" are permitted. Extra points may be earned through the extended essay and Theory of Knowledge.

HONORS / AP / IB COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ENGLISH
EN102 Honors English I
EN202 Honors English II
EN322 IB English III
EN320 AP English III
EN420 AP English IV
EN422 IB English IV
EN512 Academic Decathlon (weighted elective)