The IB Programme allows 11th and 12th graders not only to excel academically but also to develop their skill sets in a way that enables them to think critically and treat the world around them with kindness, curiosity, and compassion. The IB’s mission statement is unique; it asserts that everyone, despite their differences, can also be right. There are approximately 200 IB Diploma Programme candidates currently at the IB World School at Plano East Senior High School.
“The IB definitely provides a challenging high school experience. We focus heavily on deep, critical thinking rather than memorization, which creates thoughtful, university-ready young people,” states Karen Stanton, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator at the IB World School at Plano East Senior High. Plano East also offers preparatory options for 9th and 10th grade students through a dedicated “pre-IB” track.
The IB diploma earns 24 course-specific credits at public universities in Texas. “The IB learner is the inquisitive student who wants to dive deeply into a passion subject. Our students are go-getters. They take on this extra challenge because they want to impact the world.”
What does the IB programme look like? Juniors and seniors take one IB course in each of the six groups:
Group 1: Language A: English Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition (Chinese, French, or Spanish)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Social Studies)
Group 4: Science
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts or an additional language, science, or social studies course
They also complete three additional requirements:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A two-year course that explores how knowledge is constructed.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): A student-designed, collaborative project aimed at developing skills in civic engagement.
- The Extended Essay: Independent, self-directed research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper.
As early as 8th grade, Nikolai Rura began assessing options for the road ahead. Choosing the IB track was a game changer, not just academically, but also in creating deep-rooted, common networks within the school and beyond.
“The IB community really cares about you—not just the faculty but also fellow students; everyone is pushing each other to do better. I was a middle-of-the-road kid in IB, yet I gained a lot from the program because I was in the room with other like-minded students—they brought me up.”
“The kind of person who does IB wants more than just a high GPA; they want a better version of themselves.”
Nikolai graduated from Plano East in 2021, and with 60 hours of IB credit under his belt, went on to graduate from the University of Alabama in only two years instead of four. He is now at Cornell Law School!
CAS: As an Eagle Scout, Nikolai organized a donation drive for old computers and iPads, which he took to a rural high school in Lufkin to help with virtual schooling during COVID.
Extended Essay: To what extent did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan cause the rise of the Taliban?
Want to learn more? Contact karen.stanton@pisd.edu.
“Our students are go- getters. They take on this extra challenge because they want to impact
the world.”