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International Baccalaureate

Rio Mesa High School Spartans IB Continuum Middle Years Diploma Career-related programmes

The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end, the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.


The IB Programme at RMHS is divided into three components: Middle Years (MYP) for grades 9 and 10, Career-related (CP) for grades 11 and 12 enrolled in one of the 8 CTE pathways, and Diploma (DP) for grades 11 and 12. Upon completion of the IB CP or IB DP in grade 12, students will receive their Oxnard Union High School Diploma and a IB Career Certificate or IB Diploma.

History of IB at RMHS

The IB Diploma Programme at RMHS was accredited in December 2007. The launch of the Programme was the result of a collaborative effort by many professionals. Spearheaded by Mrs. Lori Wrout, the IB Coordinator, the team involved several staff members chosen from various departments, parents, students, district officials and board members. The Career-related Programme was accredited in September 2019 and the Middle Year Programme was accredited in May 2021 with the continued support of Mrs. Wrout and Mrs. Ingrid Brennan.

As of 2022, we are 1 of 6 public schools in California with these three programmes and 1 of 80 public schools in the United States. We are the only school in Ventura County with these three programmes. 

We have progressively had more students successfully complete both the IB DP and the IB CP. 

The Oxnard Union High School District also recognized in the IB the potential for staff development created through teacher training workshops held throughout North America. The IB Diploma Programme has as a pre-requisite the training of teachers in the delivery methods and assessment criteria of the Programme. This has come to fruition as RMHS staff have attended workshops throughout North America and brought home to RMHS the collective wisdom of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

What is an IB Education?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an internationally acclaimed programme available in over 143 countries with over 2,795 schools. The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world's leading universities. As well as earning an IB Diploma, students also fulfill the requirements for the Oxnard Union High School Diploma. The aim of the IB Diploma is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgement, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community. The Diploma Programme equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment.

The programme follows the traditional liberal arts curriculum where six academic subjects are studied concurrently. Students are required to study both the humanities and the sciences together with the study of a second language. In addition to writing six externally marked examinations, the student must complete the following three additional components of the Diploma Programme:

  • Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Course is an interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom.

  • The Extended Essay (EE) allows the student the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest in great depth, which is independent and self-directed - finishing in a 4,000 word paper.

  • Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) incorporates a project of experiential learning over 2 years of community, artistic and athletic endeavours.

Assessment is done both internally and externally. Exams are marked by external markers qualified to assess each student's exam. The Diploma Programme has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to the world's leading universities.


 

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The IB Advantage

Focus on Student

  • Teaches Time Management Skills, Application Skills, Organizational Skills, Communication Skills, and Problem Solving Skills,

  • Student better prepared for university

  • Theory of Knowledge concentrates on Critical, Logic and Analytical skills 

  • Personal and Professional Skills concentrates on Critical, Logic and Analytical skills while focusing on Ethical concerns

  • Extended Essay prepares student for research done at university level

  • Reflective Project prepares student for research done at the university and corporate level

High Academic Standards

  • The IB curriculum in all disciplines has established--and maintains--the highest international standard of university preparatory education, comparable to the leading national systems such as the British Advanced Level, the French Baccalaureate, and the German Abitur.

The Development of Independent Learners

  • The volume and advanced nature of the course content in all IB subjects means that students must learn to work independently, under the guidance of their teachers and with the assistance of fellow students.

  • This is a stage of intellectual development which most students do not reach until they are part way through--sometimes most of the way through--their undergraduate degrees.

Development of Well Rounded Individuals

  • The Creativity/Activity/Service component of the IB Diploma ensures that graduates have had a variety of significant extracurricular experiences.

  • The Language Portfolio and Service Learning component of the IB Career-related ensures that graduates are able to communicate in at least two languages and have had a variety of significant extracurricular service experiences. 

  • Universities assume that they will continue to be involved in a number of out-of-class activities during their undergraduate years.

  • The fact that IB schools form a global network of students all following the same curriculum means that those enrolled in courses also develop a truly international perspective, a very desirable characteristic in an Information Age characterized by vanishing political boundaries.


 


 

Each programme flag will direct you to that specific program's page for more information and details:

IB MYP Logo

Click the flag above to go that program's information page. 

IB MYP Coordinator:

Lisette Severin
805-
lisette.severin@oxnardunion.org

Personal Project Coordinator:

Verity Olliff
805-278-1743
verity.olliff@oxnardunion.org

 

IB DP Logo

Click the flag above to go that program's information page. 

IB DP Coordinator:

Dr. Rano Sidhu
805-604-5336
rano.sidhu@oxnardunion.org

IB DP Counselor:

Kristene Kenney
805-278-3788
kristene.kenney@oxnardunion.org

IB CP Logo

Click the flag above to go that program's information page. 

IB CP Coordinator:

Dr. Rano Sidhu
805-604-5336
rano.sidhu@oxnardunion.org

IB CP Counselor:

Sylvia Gomez
805-278-3133
sylvia.gomez@oxnardunion.org


 

FAQ


 

RM IB Learner Profile Graphic
IB Learner Profile - Inquirers
IB Learner Profile - Caring
IB Learner Profile - Communicators
IB Learner Profile - Open-Minded
IB Learner Profile - Thinkers
IB Learner Profile - Reflective
IB Learner Profile - Risk-Takers
IB Learner Profile - Balanced
IB Learner Profile - Principled
IB Learner Profile - Knowledgeable

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

IB learners strive to be:

  • Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained through out their lives.

  • Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

  • Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

  • Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

  • Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

  • Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

  • Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

  • Risk-takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

  • Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

  • Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.