IB Programs

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) develops students’ confidence in managing their own learning and making connections between what happens in the classroom and the real world. The MYP was first offered from IB in 1994; West has been an authorized school since 2017 and partners with Bearden Middle School to offer the full continuum of this five-year program.

Students in MYP work through a challenging curriculum framework to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. There are eight (8) subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education, and school-based assessment is based on rigorous tasks created and marked by classroom teachers. In the final year of the program, sophomores develop a personal project independently, which is graded externally by IB.

Excerpt from, and more available to read and view, at www.ibo.org

The Diploma Programme (DP) is a future-ready program that builds students’ inquiring mindset, fosters their desire to learn, and prepares them to excel at their careers and lead meaningful lives. The DP was first offered from IB in 1968; West has been an authorized school since 2011.

The DP curriculum is comprised of six (6) subject groups and the DP core: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE). Through the DP, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake projects that often involve community service. Students commit to the DP for the entirety of their junior and seniors years.

Excerpt from, and more available to read and view, at www.ibo.org

IB DP Subjects

West currently offers 22 IB subjects. Students in the DP are required to take one each from groups 1-5, and then a sixth from any group, and must also have three (3) standard level (SL) subjects and three (3) higher level subjects in order to earn the DP diploma. Students in the CP are required to take one subject spanning two years (which would include all HL subjects and most SL subjects) and a second subject in order to earn the CP certificate. Most subjects are open to all 11th and 12th grade students; however, there is eligibility criteria to ensure success in some.

Group 1 Subjects: Language and Literature SL, HL

Group 2 Subjects: French SL, HL; Spanish SL, HL

Group 3 Subjects: Social and Cultural Anthropology*; Global Politics HL; History SL*,HL; Psychology SL; World Religions SL*

Group 4 Subjects: Biology HL; Chemistry  SL*, HL; Physics HL

Group 5 Subjects: Math Approaches and Analysis HL, Math Applications and Interpretation SL*, HL

Group 6 Subjects: IB Film HL, Visual Arts SL, HL

Interdisciplinary Subjects: Environmental Systems and Society SL (can be a Group 3 or 4 subject)

*single-year subject

West reviews its IB offerings annually and may add or delete subjects based on staffing and/or student needs.

The Career-related Programme (CP) equips students with future-ready skills and prepares them to follow their career pathways – combining academic subjects with their own professional interests. The CP was first offered from IB in 2012; West has been an authorized school since 2020.

CP students undertake a minimum of two (2) IB DP courses, a career-related study, and a core consisting of four (4) components: Community Engagement (CE), Language and Cultural Studies (LCS), Personal and Professional Skills (PPS), and the Reflective Project (RP). Students commit to the CP for the entirety of their junior and senior years.

Excerpt from, and more available to read and view, at www.ibo.org

Students take written examinations at the end of their IB DP courses; these are graded by IB examiners outside of West High School and Knox County Schools. Exams take place in April and May and have a required fee associated with them (for the ’25-’26 school year, $124 each). Standard level IB courses typically have two exams each, and higher level IB courses typically have two or three exams each. Exams follow a scheduled published by the IB (easily searchable on the Internet) and cannot, typically, be made-up or rescheduled except for dire, exceptional “adverse circumstances” which must be pre-approved by IB. Typically moderate illnesses, family events, and conflicts with other school activities/exams are NOT considered “adverse circumstances” by IB.

Registration for IB exams takes place from late September through mid-November annually. There is a definitive deadline for on-time registration that must be met or considerable late fees are imposed by the IB. All exam registration is handled through West’s IB Administrative Assistant in the Student Services office.

IB exam schedule: May 2026

Students not residing within West’s districted boundaries are welcome to apply to participate in the IB programs through Knox County School’s annual transfer process. The window to apply for a transfer is typically open from early October through mid- February (priority) and a final opportunity, if spaces remain, from early April through early June. All details for transferring are on Knox County School’s website under “Request A Transfer:” Families should select “Academic Course of Study” for their transfer placement request. Please note that West is NOT considered a Magnet School within Knox County Schools.

The transfer process to West’s IB programs is competitive and is based upon several dynamic factors annually: 1.) space available; 2.) student’s past academic performance; and 3.) student’s willingness to prepare for success in IB programs and courses.

Once a request for an “IB transfer” has been received, West will request and compile core subject grade and standardized test score data from the student’s current (and past, if applicable) school to ensure performance is at or above grade level mastery. Additionally, since participation in IB requires the study of a world language, students transferring to West must have formal world language study and/or immersion OR a commitment to enroll in two years of world language courses when at West. Finally, since IB courses and exams are writing intensive, students are invited to participate in a baseline exercise. These compose a 10-item matrix on which students will be scored. Students must meet a minimum of eight (8) points on the matrix in order to be considered for transfer placement in West’s IB program.

Once a student/family has accepted transfer to West’s IB program, the student will be required to meet attendance, discipline, and academic expectations annually.

Prospective transfer students and their families are strongly suggested to attend one of West’s IB Information Meetings held throughout the fall and winter (for the ’25-’26 school year: 10/15, 12/9, and 1/14), during KCS’s transfer window, in order to learn more details about the transfer process and expectations.

Sign up for an IB Information Meeting

Academic integrity is a principle in education and a choice to act in a responsible way so others can trust us. It means conducting all aspects of your academic life in a responsible and ethical manner. The IB expects students to produce genuine and authentic pieces of work that represent their own abilities. That is, the IB wants to support "content creators", not "content imitators."  Students should give credit where credit is due—so be honest and transparent and recognize how previous work is influencing/supporting your own work.

Academic integrity is an essential aspect of teaching and learning in IB programs where action is based on inquiry and reflection. All IB community members, including students, should aim to achieve and develop the IB Learner Profile attributes. In the context of academic integrity, one of the most important attributes is to be "principled." To this end, all students participating in IB programs are expected to act honestly, responsibly, and ethically.

Excerpt from Responsibilities of Students in IB World Schools: Academic Integrity, 3/6/25

To read more about IB's Academic Integrity policies, visit Academic Integrity - International Baccalaureate®

To learn more about WHS's IB Academic Integrity practices, read this document..