This document outlines graduation requirements and course planning information for students at the International School of Manila. It provides details on the minimum credits needed to graduate in various subject areas. It also shows the credits a student will have earned after 9th grade and what remains. Students have the option to pursue an IB diploma, partial IB diploma, or ISM high school diploma. The document provides information to help students and parents understand IB course requirements and diploma options. It offers guidance on maximizing summer opportunities and using the Naviance program to aid in course planning.

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Year
2 of a Four Year Plan

2. ISM Graduation Requirements
(MINIMUM) – *think of 1 credit = 1 year
SUBJECT
MIN. REQUIRED # of CREDITS
English
4
Math
2
Science
2
Social Studies
2
Modern Languages
2
Fine & Performing Arts
2
Physical Education
2
Wellness
1/2
IT/Computer Literacy
1/2
Electives
6
TOTAL
23

3. After Grade 9?
(WHAT YOU WILL HAVE ACHIEVED)
SUBJECT
CREDITS OBTAINED
CREDITS REMAINING
English (4)
1
3
Math (2)
1
1
Science (2)
1
1
Social Studies (2)
1
1
Modern Languages (2)
1
1
Fine & Performing Arts (2)
1
1
Physical Education (2)
1
1
Wellness (1/2)
1/2
0
IT/Computer Literacy (1/2)
1/2
0
Electives (6)
0
6
TOTAL
8
15

4. Diploma Options at ISM
IB Diploma + ISM High
School Diploma
Most Rigorous Offered
Partial IB Diploma+ ISM
High School Diploma
ISM High School
Diploma
Least Rigorous Offered
(still challenging)

6. International Baccalaureate
101
“The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an
academically challenging and balanced programme of
education with final examinations that prepares
students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at
university and life beyond.” (www.ibo.org)
 “IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB programme
correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the
credentials of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript.”
 — Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Harvard University
 “Send us prepared students a la IB…It is the “best” high school prep curriculum
an American school can offer.”
 — Marilee Jones, Former Director of Undergraduate Admission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

7. What is the IB Diploma Program?
6 subjects required
3 subjects at the higher
level (HL)
3 subjects at the
standard level (SL)
1 subject each from
groups 1-5 and a sixth
subject (from any group)
Completion of the EE,
CAS, ToK requirements

9. Partial IB Diploma
Some students might not need or want to do the full IB
Diploma
It is possible for students to study one or more IB subjects
(with the rest of their subjects chosen from ISM non-IB
offerings)
All IB subjects are studied for 2 years
An IB certificate is awarded for each IB subject completed
successfully (you must complete all internal and external
requirements)
An IB certificate student does not have to comply with the
same rules for the six group choices
Choose one or more subjects from any group, and study
it/them at any level

10. Why do a Partial IB Diploma?
Exposure to the challenging and rigorous IB
curriculum (in that subject)
Colleges will look favorably to any IB certificates you
take/achieve
You will be more prepared for your university level
courses
A good result in an IB subject will often result in you
receiving advanced placement (in that subject)

12. ISM HS Diploma
The ISM HS Diploma is a widely recognized HS
Diploma
Not many Non-IB courses at ISM (Gr. 11/12)
The number of students only taking the ISM Diploma
is quite small
While it is not the most rigorous program we have at
ISM, it is appropriate and accepted for
university/college placement in the U.S.

13. What should I know now?
It is quite possible a grade 9 student has no idea (yet)
what they want to take in Grade 11 and 12
Some decisions students make now can impact future
options (IB choices/Post-secondary)
Some IB subjects have pre-requisites
Certain subjects (as a result of their strict prerequisites) require some special care & attention by
students/parents during the course selection process

15. Course Flow
Grade 9
Grade 10

16. IB Subject Flow (English)

17. IB Subject Flow (ESL Students)

18. IB Subject Flow (Math)
Math placement is determined by exam/test scores, classroom
performance and teacher recommendations

19. IB Subject Flow (Science)
Integrated Science 2 is
designed to best prepare
you for IB Science at the
standard (SL) level
Any of the full year
science classes in grade
10 (Biology, Chemistry,
Physics) are designed to
best prepare you for IB
Science at the high (HL)
level

20. IB Subject Flow (Modern Lang.)
Students are expected to
continue to their
modern language from
grade 9 into grade 10.
Colleges prefer that
students stick with one
language.
Mandarin 2 (grade 9)
Mandarin 3 (grade 10)

21. Other Advice
Physical Education Choice
Lifetime Activities
Team Sports
Personal Fitness
Dance (appropriate level- subject to audition)

22. Other Advice?
Fine & Performing Arts Block
If you are planning to do an IB Group 6 Arts (Art,
Film, Theater and/or Design Technology) in grade
11/12, we recommend that you take Explore Art,
Explore Film, Explore Theater and/or Advanced
Design Technology in grade 10.
Your Elective
You are able to choose any ISM course that is offered
to Grade 10’s (such as another language, the NEW
semestered IT classes, another science class* etc.)
Computer Programming Pre IB (Grade 10)
11)
IB Computer Science (Grade

23. What colleges want to see?
They want to see that you are challenging yourself
to the best of your ability with the courses you
select.
They want to see the best possible grades you are
capable of achieving.
This allows them to “predict” how successful you
could be at their college.
They want to see a well rounded individual that
contributes to their high school and community.

24. Before Course Selection?
Reflect on what courses you want to take
Talk to your parents
Talk to your teachers
Talk to your counselor
When in doubt, ask questions 

25. Actual Course Selection?
When
The week of February 24-28, 2014
Where
An assigned class during the week
How
Mr. Ayling and Mr. McQueen will walk you through
the process…

27. Course Registration

28. Course Registration

29. Course Registration

31. Maximize your Summers
(www.summerdiscovery.com )

32. Maximize your Summers
(www.internationalcounselor.org/summer2/Summer_Omnibus/Omnibus.html)

33. Maximize your Summers
(www.tscollegetours.com)

34. In Naviance: Family Connection

35. Click the links for further
information…

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Any Questions?