IB Course Options at Hillcrest HS

Group 1: Language & Literature (HL)

Group 2: French (SL) or Spanish (SL) or Spanish Ab Initio (SL)

Group 3: History of the Americas (HL)

Group 4: Biology (HL) or Physics (SL) or Sports Exercise and Health Medicine (SL)

Group 5: Math Applications (SL) or Mathematics Analysis SL

Group 6: Visual Arts (SL/HL) or Psychology (SL/HL) or Dance (SL/HL) or Theatre (SL/HL) or Music (SL/HL)

In the IB Diploma Programme (DP), students complete six academic subjects at either Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). Full Diploma candidates must take at least three and no more than four HL courses, with their remaining subjects taken at SL.

Higher Level (HL) courses are studied in greater depth and breadth and include approximately 240 recommended instructional hours. HL courses generally require students to engage with additional content and demonstrate a greater depth of knowledge, analysis, and application of skills.

Standard Level (SL) courses include approximately 150 recommended instructional hours. SL courses maintain the academic rigor of IB but cover less content and/or require less depth than their HL counterparts. Both HL and SL students complete IB assessments, which may include external examinations and internally assessed coursework.

For the full IB Diploma, students must earn at least 12 total points across their HL subjects and at least 9 total points across their SL subjects, in addition to meeting the other IB Diploma requirements.