International Baccalaureate

Over the last nine years, the NUSD Board of Trustees has remained committed to the investment of resources to support the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes and candidate schools which serve at or above 50% of our students across the district, representing the rich diversity of our community.

IB in Natomas Unified

Natomas Unified School District offers IB programs for students in grades TK-12.

Primary Years Programme - International Baccalaureate

Grades: TK to 5th/6th
H. Allen Hight
Paso Verde
Jefferson
American Lakes
Bannon Creek (candidate school)

Middle Years Programme - International Baccalaureate

Grades: 6th-10th
Natomas Middle
Inderkum High

Grades: 7th-8th
Paso Verde (candidate school)

diploma programme - International Baccalaureate

Grades: 11th-12th
Inderkum High

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit organization that serves students from ages 3-19 around the world. There are more than 4,000 IB schools in the world with more than 1,700 in the United States. The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to success and build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.

The IB has three programs: Primary Years (K-6), Middle Years (7-10) and the Diploma Program (11-12). IB schools and programs are challenging learning environments in which children are encouraged to become passionate learners fully connected to the rapidly changing world in which we live.

For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.

IB Mission

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.

IB Framework

  • Encourages students to think critically and consider multiple perspectives
  • Promotes language development and multilingual students
  • Uses best practices from data-based research to best support teaching and student learning
  • Provides a flexible framework so schools can meet local, state, and national requirements

Key Components

There are four key components to the IB Program:

  1. ACADEMIC RIGOR Students learn how to learn, analyze, and reach considered conclusions about the world.
  2. COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM Students study subject areas including Language and Literature (ELA), Sciences, Individuals and Societies (HSS), Arts (Music and VAPA), Design, Physical Education, Math, and Language Acquisition (World Languages).
  3. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE In a curriculum for global citizenship, students are encouraged to think about the world around them. Subject areas go beyond discipline-specific skills and knowledge.
  4. Growing Independent Learners Students set seven specific goals linked to the IB Learner profile. They plan and implement projects designed to encourage service learning and personal growth.

University Recognition

  • University of California (UC) system: All nine UC campuses offering undergraduate degrees reward a full IB diploma score of 30 or more with 30 quarter (20 semester) units toward their UC degree. Students who take only select HL course exams with scores of 5, 6 or 7 will receive 8 quarter (5.3 semester) units.  These units may be applied to graduation requirements for specific subjects or for general education/breadth requirements.
  • California State University (CSU) system: 20+ CSU campuses all use the same qualifications for DP course credit. By looking at a DP graduate’s higher level (HL) scores, a student can earn 15-18 credits towards their university education at CSU. Out of this number, 6-9 credits can apply toward the GE Breadth certification.

For a complete list to guide you through credit offerings at four-year and two-year institutions, click here.

NUSD Podcast- IB Programs EP 12

How do I enroll my child in IB?

The early and middle years programs are open to all students attending those specific IB schools and do not require enrollment into the program. The IB Programme at Inderkum High School is limited and requires acceptance. Applications for the 2021-22 school year opened on November 15, 2020. For more information, visit the IB page on the Inderkum website. 

District News on IB