For high school seniors hoping to continue their education at a college or university after graduating, getting accepted to a school of higher learning can be a very competitive process. College admissions committees are looking for students who show an aptitude for scholastics, receive good grades score well on their SATs, and strive to push the borders of their studies. In some cases, they also factor in community service or extracurricular activities.
To set themselves apart for other candidates, some students will enroll in more challenging study programs while in high school. In addition to their regular coursework, they may enroll in Honors classes, Advanced Placement classes, or take college courses at a local community college. A fourth option is to choose a school that offers an International Baccalaureate program, which is an advanced curriculum in itself, as opposed to adding coursework to a standardized, publicly dictated curriculum.
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Differences Between IB® vs. AP Classes and More
1. Honors Classes
These are courses offered by individual schools that provide slightly more advanced content than traditional high school courses. While Honors Classes do look good on a transcript, there is no standardization of the classes or how they are taught.
2. Advanced Placement
These courses are authorized and regulated by The College Board, the same group that develops and administers the SAT. Schools that want to offer AP courses must go through an application process that ensures their courses meet AP standards. Individual teachers may also request approval to teach AP courses. Therefore, as a rule, college admission committees generally rank AP courses higher on an application than Honors Classes. The difference between Honors and AP lies in the standardization and college-level rigor associated with AP courses.
3. College Classes
These can be taken by students while still in high school. These courses can be helpful in preparing students for the college experience while also potentially earning credits toward college work, allowing students to skip required courses once they are full-time college students.
4. IB® Classes
The International Baccalaureate is a curriculum in Virginia Beach, near Norfolk and Chesapeake, founded with the mission of creating a better world through education. It offers coursework that focuses on teaching students to think critically and independently and how to inquire with care and logic. The structure of IB® classes encourages deep learning and a global perspective, setting them apart from traditional curriculums.
How To Decide
When deciding which advanced classes to take, students should think about what they’re good at, what they enjoy, and what they want to do in the future. If they’re really good at specific subjects, Honors or AP classes could be a great fit. These classes let students explore topics more deeply and might even earn them college credit. On the other hand, if students have an interest in a wide range of subjects and a global outlook, the International Baccalaureate program might suit them better. Knowing how they like to learn and what they aim to achieve can help them choose between AP, IB®, or taking college classes while still in high school.
AP vs. IB®: Which Is Right for You? Our Verdict: IB®.
At Strelitz International Academy, we believe the International Baccalaureate is the best way to prepare students from a young age to move on to higher education and become successful in their chosen career paths. We have invested a significant amount of time and energy into applying to and working with the IB® to become an IB® Primary Years Programme school. Contact us at 757-424-4327 to find out more and Schedule a visit.
