When should students begin planning for IB diploma?
Middle school is not too early to begin thinking about the issues. However, given the breadth of the diploma, a student who is still discovering his or her interests will be exposed to a variety of disciplines and the exposure will help the student choose which subjects to pursue at a higher level and which to choose at the less rigorous standard level. Students need to plan their schedules to fit the courses for the exams they choose. Early planning avoids disappointment later. Students taking HL exams in Science and Math will need to plan with special care because they may need 5 courses, many with extra lab time during lunch, in each area. Please refer to “What courses & exams are offered at WMMHS?” to get a sense of the recommended courses for particular levels of exams in the various subjects.
