Rifle High School
What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is a two-year academic experience designed to help students become strong thinkers, effective communicators, and confident, independent learners. It is more than just a collection of advanced courses; it is a cohesive educational program that challenges students while teaching them how to succeed in rigorous academic environments.
While the IBDP prepares 11th and 12th-grade students for university-level academic work, it also helps them develop skills they'll need for life beyond high school, managing complex workloads, asking meaningful questions, collaborating with others, and persisting through difficulty.
At RHS, students may participate in IB as full Diploma Candidates or enroll in individual IB courses as Certificate Candidates, depending on their goals and interests. Find out more about these pathways and their benefits below.
While the IBDP prepares 11th and 12th-grade students for university-level academic work, it also helps them develop skills they'll need for life beyond high school, managing complex workloads, asking meaningful questions, collaborating with others, and persisting through difficulty.
At RHS, students may participate in IB as full Diploma Candidates or enroll in individual IB courses as Certificate Candidates, depending on their goals and interests. Find out more about these pathways and their benefits below.
Diploma Candidates
Students enrolled as Diploma Candidates pursue the full International Baccalaureate Diploma. This pathway includes six IB subject-area courses taken over two years, along with completion of the IB Core: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). At Rifle High School, Diploma Candidates may also pursue the Bilingual IB Diploma by completing the IB Spanish A: Language and Literature course.
Certificate Candidates
Students may also participate in IB as Certificate Candidates by enrolling in one or more individual IB subject courses, based on interest and schedule availability. Successful completion of IB courses may allow students to earn university credit and provides access to many of the academic benefits of the IBDP, including college-level coursework and skill development in writing, research, and critical thinking.
Courses Offered
- Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
- Group 2: Language Acquisition
- Group 3: Individuals and Societies
- Group 4: Experimental Sciences
- Group 5: Mathematics
- Group 6: The Arts
- IB Core
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts
IB Core
Who Thrives in IB at RHS?
A common misconception is that IB is only for students who have always been in honors or advanced courses. At RHS, our experience tells a different story.
Successful IB students are not defined by a single academic track. They are students who are curious, willing to engage deeply with ideas, open to feedback, and ready to grow. Many students begin IB unsure of what to expect, and that's okay. The IB Diploma Program is designed to teach the skills students need, not assume they already have them.
If you're motivated, willing to work through challenges, and interested in developing strong academic and life skills, IB at RHS may be a great fit.
IB is not about perfection, competition, or having everything figured out. It's about process, growth, persistence, and learning.
College & University Recognition
IB exam results are widely recognized by colleges and universities in the United States. Students who achieve qualifying scores on their IB exams can earn college credit. Credit policies vary by state and university, so check with the university of your choice to see how credits can be transferred. You can also conduct a simple Google search, such as "[University Name] IB credit," or visit HERE for more information about IB recognition.
The state of Colorado, along with several other states, offers "system-wide recognition" of IB, which means all their state-run universities are aligned in how IB transfers. Additionally, Colorado guarantees that students who enroll in Colorado's public universities and have earned the IB Diploma will enter with a minimum of 24 credit hours toward their degree. Click HERE to see how IB courses transfer to Colorado's public colleges and universities.