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Programs and Courses

IB Programs and Courses at West High

West High offers several ways for students to participate in International Baccalaureate education. Students may pursue the full IB Diploma Programme, combine career preparation with IB study through the Career-related Programme, or enroll in individual IB courses.

IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)

West High has offered the IB Diploma Programme since 1984 and was the first IBDP school in Utah. Designed for grades 11-12, the programme provides a broad academic experience through courses from six subject groups:

  1. Studies in Language and Literature
  2. Language Acquisition
  3. Individuals and Societies
  4. Sciences
  5. Mathematics
  6. Arts

Diploma Programme students also complete the DP Core:

  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and examine how we know what we claim to know.
  • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Students plan experiences that develop creativity, healthy activity, service, and personal growth, culminating in a student-designed CAS project.
  • Extended Essay (EE): Students complete an independent, 4,000-word research paper on a topic of their choosing, developing college-level research and writing skills.

Watch an introduction to the IB Diploma Programme

IB Career-related Programme (IBCP)

West High has offered the IB Career-related Programme since 2013 and was the first IBCP school in Utah. The programme combines IB-level academic study with focused career preparation.

Career-related Programme students complete:

  • At least two IB subject courses during grades 11-12
  • A career-related course of study, which at West means completing a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway

Students also complete the CP Core:

  • Reflective Project (RP): Research into an ethical dilemma connected to the student's career field, presented in an appropriate written or multimedia format.
  • Language and Cultural Studies (LCS): Exploration of language use within the student's own cultures and beyond.
  • Community Engagement (CE): A student-designed experience that builds understanding of community and meaningful participation.
  • Personal and Professional Skills (PPS): A course developing attitudes, skills, and strategies for personal and professional settings.

Watch an introduction to the IB Career-related Programme

Individual IB Courses

Students do not have to complete a full IB programme to benefit from IB learning. West offers individual IB courses at Standard Level (SL), generally one year of study, and Higher Level (HL), generally two years of study.

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

  • Language and Literature HL
  • Literature HL

Group 2: Language Acquisition

  • Arabic, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish at available ab initio, SL, and HL levels

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

  • Business Management SL and HL
  • History SL and HL
  • Psychology SL and HL

Group 4: Sciences

  • Biology SL and HL
  • Chemistry SL and HL
  • Computer Science SL and HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies SL
  • Physics SL and HL
  • Sports, Exercise and Health Science SL and HL

Group 5: Mathematics

  • Analysis and Approaches SL and HL
  • Applications and Interpretation SL

Group 6: Arts

  • Dance SL and HL
  • Film SL and HL
  • Music SL
  • Visual Arts SL and HL

IB Core Courses

  • Personal and Professional Skills (PPS)
  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
  • IB Independent Study, which guides students through the Extended Essay or Reflective Project

IB Faculty

West's IB courses are taught by experienced educators who maintain current subject knowledge through regular IB training and collaboration.

Language and Literature

Language and Literature: Adam Harmstead, Stephanie Hunt, Chris McGill, Ri Pickle, Will Stephenson, and Marcie Thompson
Literature: Angie Algarin and Mindy Thompson

Language Acquisition

Arabic and French: Laila Lamani
Chinese: Emmy Lou
German: Kathy Barnard
Spanish: Susana Anderson

Individuals and Societies

Business Management: Sonja Blackham
History: Helen McNally and Cara Boyer
Psychology: Josh Calhoon

Sciences

Biology: Hilary Thirlwell
Chemistry: Doug Berquist and Janae Hunt
Computer Science: Todd Vawdrey
Environmental Systems and Societies: Crystal King
Physics: Enrique Arce-Larreta
Sports, Exercise and Health Science: Garth McFarland

Mathematics

Analysis and Approaches: Rebekah Hansen, Todd Vawdrey, and Nate Nelson
Applications and Interpretation: Jose De La Cruz

Arts

Dance: Danell Hathaway
Film: Moses Baca
Music: Andrea Hernandez
Visual Arts: Jamie Delfin

IB Core

CAS Coordinator: Kara Budge
PPS: Will Stephensen
TOK: Cara Boyer and Chris Rondem
IB Independent Study: Helen McNally and Danell Hathaway

IB Coordinators

West High has two IB programme coordinators who serve as primary contacts for assigned graduating classes during the 2026-27 school year:

  • Jenny Nicholas: Classes of 2027 and 2029
  • Carla Zumbado: Classes of 2028 and 2030

Learn how to prepare for and apply to an IB programme