Prospective Students
Becoming an IB Student at West High
West High welcomes students who are curious, motivated, and interested in challenging themselves through the IB Diploma Programme or IB Career-related Programme.
How to Apply
Students may apply to the Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme between grades 8 and 10. Applications must be submitted before the end of the student's sophomore year.
Application materials are being developed.
The online IB application and the West High IB Commitment and Expectations document will be posted here when available. Applicants and their families will be notified whether admission is full or provisional after the application is reviewed.
Students who want to take individual IB courses without completing the Diploma or Career-related Programme do not need to submit a programme application. They may register for available IB courses through the regular course-selection process.
Preparation Timeline
Grade 8: Explore IB
- Attend an eighth-grade IB Information Night, generally held in January.
- Learn about West High, IB education, and the Diploma and Career-related Programmes.
- If interested in the Diploma Programme, begin or continue studying a world language.
- Students may submit an IB application as early as grade 8.
Grade 9: Build a Strong Foundation
- Attend a ninth-grade IB Information Night, generally held in September or October.
- Learn strategies for course selection and preparation for IB study.
- Continue world-language study if interested in the Diploma Programme.
- Consider Honors or AP courses when they are an appropriate academic fit.
Grade 10: Create Your IB Plan
- Attend a tenth-grade IB Information Night, generally held in September or October.
- Review the requirements of the Diploma and Career-related Programmes.
- Submit the IB application before the end of sophomore year.
- Admitted students and their families meet with the IB coordinator to create an individual IB Plan.
- The plan identifies the courses needed to complete the selected programme and is shared with the student's school counselor for course planning.
Information Nights and Events
West High holds grade-specific information nights so students and families can learn about IB options, course planning, and the student experience. Dates are announced through the West High calendar, ParentSquare, and AP/IB communications.
View West High calendars and upcoming events
Programme Commitments and Expectations
IB students should be ready to participate actively in their learning. The most successful students:
- Communicate with teachers, counselors, and coordinators
- Ask for help and advocate for themselves
- Manage time and meet long-term deadlines
- Reflect on feedback and personal growth
- Approach challenging coursework with persistence
- Collaborate respectfully with classmates
Students do not need to arrive at West with all of these skills fully developed. IB courses and programme experiences are designed to help students strengthen them over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to complete the full IB Diploma Programme?
No. Students may choose the Diploma Programme, the Career-related Programme, or individual IB courses.
When should I apply?
Students may apply as early as grade 8 and must apply before the end of grade 10 to enter the Diploma or Career-related Programme.
Do individual IB courses require an application?
No. Students taking individual IB courses may register through the regular course-selection process.
Should I study a world language before IB?
Students considering the Diploma Programme should begin or continue world-language study in grades 8-10 because the programme includes language acquisition.
Does IB cost money?
West High does not charge a programme participation fee. IB assessment fees and available financial support are explained on the Current Students and Families page.
Who can help me choose a programme?
The IB coordinators and school counselors can help students compare options and select a pathway that fits their interests, goals, and course history.