Harrisburg Academy became an International Baccalaureate World School in 2006. It is the first school in the greater Harrisburg area to join the company of nearly 2,000 IB schools in more than 125 countries. Dr. Tom Banks, Head of Upper School and IB Coordinator, coordinates the program.
Since its founding in 1965, the IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. The student who satisfies its demands demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world. The general objectives of the IB program are to provide students with a balanced education, to foster critical thinking in all academic disciplines, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience.
IB Eligibility at Harrisburg Academy
Harrisburg Academy 11th and 12th grade students are eligible to participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB). The successful completion of this comprehensive and rigorous two-year, liberal arts program grants graduates with sufficient scores, as determined individually by the university, advanced standing in American universities and colleges as well as admission to universities throughout the world.
IB Scholarship at Harrisburg Academy
Because we so strongly support the mission and academic curriculum of the IB Diploma Program, Harrisburg Academy is proud to offer a one-of-a-kind scholarship opportunity, the IB Scholarship for Summer Study. To learn more about eligibility and application procedures for the IB Scholarship, please review our scholarship brochure. Applications for current Harrisburg Academy students are available in the Admission Office. Applications for prospective students can be accessed here.
IB Study at Harrisburg Academy
Students in the IB Program learn more than a collection of facts. The IB Program prepares students for college and university by teaching 21st century skills. IB students learn to:
- Ask challenging questions
- Learn how to learn
- Develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
- Acquire the skills to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures
The IB Curriculum consists of six subject groups:
Language A: (English) including the study of selections from World Literature in drama, poetry and novel
Language B: (Second language) French, and/or Spanish emphasizing fluency and cultural understanding
Individuals and Society: History of the Americas, Information Technology in a Global Society
Experimental Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Mathematics: Mathematics and Mathematical Studies
Electives: Music, Visual Arts, Computer Science or a second subject from the sciences or the language be group
*Courses are offered at Higher Level (HL), Standard Level (SL), or both
All IB Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the subject groups. Three of the six subjects must be completed at Higher Level. Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum); collegiate examiners from around the world participate in the assessment of student work. The award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points.
In addition, Diploma candidates take the Theory of Knowledge course — a critical thinking and philosophy seminar — and research and write an Extended Essay on a topic of their choosing. They are mentored by a faculty member in the development of this scholarly work, which is submitted to the IB organization and graded by an examiner (from anywhere in the world) who is an expert in the chosen subject area. Students also complete a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer community service (called CAS requirements), choosing the activities and building an electronic community service/co-curricular activities portfolio.
At the successful conclusion of the two-year program, students receive an IB Diploma in addition to their Harrisburg Academy diploma. Non-Diploma students may choose to enroll in individual IB courses, called the “IB Certificate” program.
