International Baccalaureate Programmes

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) includes all students in grades 9-10 at Park Center. The MYP teaches tools for lifelong learning and fosters responsible attitudes that help students discover how to use what they learn to take principled action. Additionally, the MYP encourages students to be critical, creative and reflective thinkers. 

Download MYP Parent Guide (PDF)

Course requirements

As part of the MYP, students are expected to take an additional language (French or Spanish) during grades 9 and 10. All grade 10 students are also required to complete a Personal Project, a significant body of work produced over several months where students create a product (e.g., a new song, creative writing piece, photography portfolio, campaign to promote a community service organization, etc.) and write a report describing how they went about creating the product and reflecting on the skills they learned.

VISIT IB MYP WEBSITE

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is available to all juniors and seniors at Park Center. It is a rigorous series of 22 courses designed to prepare students for success in even the most selective colleges and universities across the U.S. and around the world. Park Center is one of only 19 schools in Minnesota authorized to offer the Programme.

In a typical year, approximately 400 Park Center scholars in grades 11-12 take at least one IB course. From that group, 15-25 students each year choose to take a full IB schedule, making them candidates to earn the IB Diploma, which is recognized by schools worldwide as an outstanding indicator of university success. 

Courses offered

We offer 19 different IB courses in a wide range of subject areas. You can challenge yourself in the arts, science, mathematics, history, a second language, or high-level English. 

Earn college credit

Some IB Diploma holders will receive dozens of college credits, while anyone taking even one IB course can earn credit at college for their successful completion of the exams.

VISIT IB DP WEBSITE

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum contains six subject groups together with a core made up of three separate parts. Three subjects are studied at higher level (HL) and three subjects are studied at standard level (SL). 

Subject groups

• Individuals and Societies
• Language Acquisition
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• Studies in Language and Literature
• The Arts

Core

1. Extended Essay: Offers scholars the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. 
2. Theory of Knowledge: This course is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.  
3. Creativity, Action, Service: This core component encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, fostering their awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.

Students who succeed in the IB Diploma Programme (DP) do better than many other groups of students in university-level work. IB studies indicate that DP students maintained high grade point averages at universities and earned higher ACT/SAT scores than students who had not attended IB schools. The knowledge and skills obtained in the DP clearly prepare students to succeed in higher education.

Why is the DP important? 

The DP curriculum is designed to ensure a cohesive, comprehensive education for students, no matter where they live in the world. Students who complete this program are preparing not only for success in college, but for success in life. Scholars gain a broader world view; follow in-depth approaches to the academic discipline; and develop time management, problem solving, research and organizational skills that will remain with them long after the IB experience is over. 

Who should take DP courses?

The DP is for more than just high potential students. The most important attributes for success in the DP are desire, interest and work ethic. This Programme is not for the faint of heart; it takes a lot of work and requires scholars to be highly organized and motivated. 

We hope that all students challenge themselves in at least one IB course. The course may be in the traditional core subjects or perhaps IB Music, IB Business Management, IB Studio Art, IB Psychology or IB Film. The vast majority of students will benefit from experiencing at least one college-level course during their high school career, making the most of the education opportunities available to them.

Academic Integrity Policy

Assessment Policy

Inclusion and Special Education Needs Policy

Language Policy

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