International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme

What does the International Baccalaureate (IB) offer?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme focuses on developing globally aware, well-rounded students who are encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning, responding to challenges with optimism and an open mind.

What is the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP)?

The IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) offers academic study and practical hands-on experience through an integrated curriculum, consisting of core IB study, taken alongside one of the four career-related pathways: Business, Design Technology, Art and Design, or Photography. The IBCP prepares students for transition to higher education in a specific career pathway.

The three components of the IBCP framework are:

1. The Career-related Study

Students will select a career pathway of interest in one of the following areas:

Business Pathway:
- Introduction to Business* > Marketing* > H Marketing 2** > C Entrepreneurship***
- Introduction to Business* > Accounting 1* > H Accounting 2**> C Entrepreneurship***
Design Technology Pathway:
- Product Design 1* > H Product Design 2** > C Innovation Studio***
- CADD 1* > H CADD 2** > C Innovation Studio***
- Robotics 1: Design, Build and Program* > H Robotics 2** > C Innovation Studio***
- Architectural Drawing and Design* > H Architectural Drawing 2** > C Innovation Studio***
Art & Design Pathway:
- Art Studio 1*>Art Studio 2*>H Art Studio 3 **>Advance Placement Drawing (Full-year)***
- Art Studio 1*>Art Studio 2*>H Art Major (2 semesters)**>Advance Placement Drawing (Full-year)***
Photography Pathway:
- Photography 1*>Photography 2*>H Photo Major: Advance Photo/Digital Imaging**>Advance Placement 2D and Design***

(*prerequisite, **11th grade, ***12th grade)

2. Academic Study

As part of the IBCP, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School students are required to complete two approved IB courses;

IB Social and Cultural Anthropology SL (SaCA)****

Social and Cultural Anthropology is the comparative study of culture and human societies with the ultimate goal of understanding humankind in all its diversity. In studying this course, students will come to appreciate how anthropology as a discipline contributes to an understanding of contemporary issues, such as war and conflict, the environment, poverty, injustice, inequality and human and cultural rights. The study of social and cultural anthropology offers critical insight into the continuities as well as dynamics of social change and the development of societies, and challenges cultural assumptions.

IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL - Semester 1/Semester 2***

In the course Analysis and Approaches, students will understand the value of systematic approaches, analyze complex real-world contexts, communicate concisely and precisely implications of mathematic conclusions. The course encourages the development of strong written, verbal, and graphical communication skills, critical and complex thinking, and moral and ethical considerations influenced by mathematics that will assist students in preparing for the future global workplace.

(*prerequisite, **11th grade, ***12th grade, ****11th and 12th grade)

3. Programme Core

The IBCP’s core is what defines the programme and makes it unique.

IB Personal and Professional Skills****

The Personal and Professional Skills course emphasizes the development of students’ attitudes, skills and strategies needed to flourish in personal and professional situations within their chosen pathway. These transferable skills can be applied to a range of current and future situations. Students will complete Language Development, Service Learning and a Reflective Project within and independently of the PPS course.

Language Development****

Language development encourages students to improve their proficiency in a language other than their best language, emphasizing its importance in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world. The ability to communicate in more than one language is essential to the IB’s concept of an international education

Reflective Project****

The reflective project is an in-depth body of work where students identify, analyze, critically discuss and evaluate an ethical issue arising from their career-related subject area. The reflective project is intended to promote high-level research, writing and communication skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.

Service Learning****

Service Learning focuses on community service as a vehicle for learning. Through service, students will develop and apply their personal and social skills and gain experience in team work, decision-making and problem-solving. Student will have opportunities to show initiative and take responsibility while applying knowledge and skills to meet an identified and authentic community need.

(*prerequisite, **11th grade, ***12th grade, ****11th and 12th grade)

Am I an IBCP student? Is this the right path for me?

At the heart of IBCP is the IB Learner Profile. The ideal IB learner is knowledgeable, reflective, principled, balanced, open-minded, caring and a thinker, a communicator, an inquirer and a risk-taker. Students considering the IBCP at PWHS must be interested in one of the identified career-related pathways and agree to take the necessary assessments associated with the certificate program.

Students must submit an application for consideration and should visit their counselor for additional details and timeline or reach out to Mrs. Duffy, IBCP Coordinator, for additional details. Call 610-825-1500, ext. 1937, or click here to send Mrs. Duffy an email.

Sample Student Schedule

Grade Level	11th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade	12th Grade
Semester	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 1	Semester 2
Block 1	Integrated Math 5 (academic math track) Elective (honors math track)	Physics H Physics	IB Analysis & Approaches - S1	IB Analysis & Approaches - S2
Block 2	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective
Block 3	World Cultures H World Civilization	IB Career- related Course	US Government H US Government	IB Career- related Course
Block 4	IB PPS 11/ IB SaCA 11 (alternating day courses all year.)	IB PPS 11/ IB SaCA 11 (alternating day courses all year.)	IB PPS 12/ IB SaCA 12 (alternating day courses all year.)	IB PPS 12/ IB SaCA 12 (alternating day courses all year.)
Block 5	English 4 H English 4	IB Pre-Calc	English 5 H English 5	Elective