1. PURPOSE: The purpose of the IB program is to challenge academically motivated students within the international standards of excellence established by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) guidelines.


2. PHILOSOPHY: The IB program is based on two principles:
    ••The need for a broad general education formally establishing the basic knowledge necessary for whatever career may be chosen or whatever academic pathway may be followed in further studies.
     •The need for a choice among the subjects to be studied so that the students' options may correspond as far as possible to their interests and capacities. The intent is that students should learn how to learn, analyze and reach considered conclusions about humanity, their languages, ways in society, and the scientific forces of the environment.


3. THE I.B. DIPLOMA PROGRAM:
   The diploma program is a two-year sequence followed in the last two years of study at Nido, and has the following requirements:
   •6 courses, 1 each from the 6 different groups detailed in Section 4 below. Of these courses at least 3 and no more than 4 must be at the Higher level, and 3 or 2 respectively must be at the Standard level.
   •150 hours of participation in creativity, action and service (CAS),
   •An extended essay of 4000 words, which demands independent work under appropriate guidance and gives the candidate a first experience of personal research
   •A course in Theory of Knowledge which explains the relationship between different disciplines and ensures that students engage in critical reflection on the knowledge and experience acquired both within and beyond the classroom


4. THE IB CURRICULUM: The IB curriculum consists of six subject groups. At Nido de Aguilas the following courses are currently offered
(note - HL = Higher level,
          SL = Standard level):

IB Subjects offered

Language A1:
• English A1 HL/SL
• Spanish A1 HL/SL
• Other Language A1
    (self taught or tutored)

Second Language:
• English A2 HL
• Spanish B HL/SL
• French B HL/SL
• Spanish Ab Initio
• French Ab Initio

Individuals and Societies:
• History SL (one year course)
• History of Americas HL
• Economics HL/SL
• Chile en la Cuenca de Pacifico SL

Experimental Sciences:
• Biology HL/SL
• Chemistry HL/SL
• Physics HL/SL
• Ecosystems and Societies SL

Mathematics:
• Math Studies SL
• Mathematics SL
• Mathematics HL

The Arts:
• Visual Arts HL/SL
• Theatre Arts HL/SL
• Music SL
• Dance SL

5. THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM: All IB classes are open to non-Diploma students. In fact, this is encouraged since the successful passing of Higher Level examinations is considered by most U.S. universities to be at least the equivalent to the passing of Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. Nido students may elect to take certificates in any of the IB courses. It should be understood that IB courses are two years in length and the external examinations cover material taught during the complete course. Students admitted to the IB program must be willing to work consistently and diligently throughout the duration of the program.


6. ASSESSMENT: IB candidates (both Diploma and Certificate) are examined both internally at Nido and externally by the IB Organization.
Internal Assessment
According to the requirements of the subject, this may take the form of guided course work, project work, fieldwork, oral commentaries, practical and/or laboratory experience. Work is assessed by the teacher.
External Assessment
Written examinations. These are set and marked by the IB Examinations Office, currently based in Great Britain. They are taken at Nido at the end of the 2-year course of study, usually in the month of May. The exams may include essay and short answer questions, document and database questions, multiple-choice objective tests.
Oral examination: (Usually only theatre and art). These may be conducted by a visiting examiner or by a classroom teacher.
Grading
At both the Higher and Standard level, each examined subject is graded on a 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum) point scale, with 4 generally considered as passing level. The award of the Diploma requires a minimum of 24 points, and the satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and the CAS activity requirement.


7. RECOGNITION OF THE DIPLOMA: In the United States some of the best universities offer second year standing to holders of the IB Diploma and many offer university credit for individual courses. (For information about specific colleges please check with the IB office in the counseling department.) Moreover, the Diploma is internationally recognized. This is not to say that possession of the Diploma will secure automatic admission to any North American university, however universities do look for evidence of demanding courses on students’ transcripts. For Chilean Nationals, universities are increasingly offering special admission to holders of the IB Diploma, (please see the IB Office for specific information). For some third country nationals, theIB Diploma may be required for entrance into university, and students are advised to check their national requirements in their early High School years. It is in the interest of each student wishing to be competitive at selective universities to take challenging courses while at Nido. The IB fulfils this interest. Students wishing to enroll in the Diploma Program or needing further information about IB courses should consult with the IB Coordinator.

8. APPLYING TO THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM
Students must apply for acceptance into the full IB Diploma program at Nido de Aguilas during first semester of sophomore year. To apply, students must complete an application form, obtain signatures from two High School teachers in support of their application and write a brief essay (no more than 500 words) indicating their reasons or motivation for applying to the IB Diploma program. Students taking IB courses for certificate purposes do not need to follow the application process.
To be accepted to the IB Diploma program at Nido, students must comply with the following academic requirements:
   • 5.5 average minimum for first semester 10th grade
   • No failing grades either first or second quarter 10th grade
   • No instances of academic dishonesty during first or second quarter 10th grade. A list of students applying to the IB DP will be sent to all HS teachers for input regarding academic honesty / suitability to the program
   • No more than one failing quarter grade during 9th grade
Students will be accepted conditionally to the IB Diploma program if:
   • Their average for first semester of 10th grade is a 5.0 or above.
   • They have one failing quarter grade during 9th grade, but no failing semester grade.

Students who do not meet the above conditions will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, and the IB Coordinator may give conditional acceptance if there are exceptional circumstances.
Students will be informed of their acceptance into the IB Diploma by March of their sophomore year, prior to the High School course selection process. While the IB Office will provide assistance in the choice of courses for completion of the IB Diploma Program, it is the responsibility of the student’s parents/guardian’s to determine the courses required by the specific countries/universities where the student is planning to apply.
Please refer to the Nido de Aguilas IB Diploma General regulations for more information regarding conditions for permanence in the IB Diploma program during Junior and senior year.


9. REGISTRATION FOR IB EXAMS
All students taking second-year IB courses may opt to take IB examinations, either as part of their IB Diploma Program, or as individual certificates. Students must register and pay for the IB exams they take, based on the fee structure determined each year by the IBO.
The registration process begins each year in September, when IB Exam Selection Forms are handed out to students in second-year IB courses. Once students return the forms to the IB Office, registration is initiated online through the IBO website and payment forms are returned to the students. Payment must be made either in USD or CHP to the Nido de Aguilas Cashier at the latest by October 30th, or registration will be withdrawn. Late registration is possible, but incurs additional registration fees.
Once exams are paid for, students will receive an official copy of their registration. Both students and parents must sign acceptance of the registration details prior to November 7, and return the signed copy to the IB Office. Any changes that need to be made to the registration after that date will incur extra fees, and all cases of erroneous registration (wrong subject, language or level) after this point will be the exclusive responsibility of the student and his/her family.
Prior to taking the exams, all students and their parents/guardians must also sign acceptance of the IBOs General Regulations.