International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate Programmes of Iredell-Statesville Schools

With its international focus, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes help students develop academically, socially, emotionally and culturally as they grow to become citizens of the world.

The International Baccalaureate Organization promotes the sharing of best practices to introduce a multicultural understanding and international credibility to its curriculum. The IBO requires consistency in staff development and programme assessment at all of its international schools throughout the world.

New 2026-2027 Guidelines for IB:

Beginning with the rising 6th grade applications, the parameter only applies if the student applying will have a sibling currently enrolled at the IB middle school at the time of their entrance and attendance. Transportation courtesy for families only.

Rationale: I-SS is revising the entry policy for the IB Programme to ensure greater opportunity and access for all county families.

The feedback received from families, who have not benefited from the sibling rule, is that the old process of allowing automatic entry for a sibling who continued the IB program into high school is limiting and inequitable. This policy greatly reduced the number of slots actually available through the lottery, benefiting only a few families, and causing frustration among those who felt they had no chance of acceptance.

To achieve a more equitable distribution of space, I-SS will now require families to re-enter the lottery when a sibling no longer attends Oakwood/The Brawley. Students who will have an older sibling in attendance at Oakwood/The Brawley at the time of entry/attendance will be allowed to attend as a transportation courtesy.

Rising 6th grade students who are accepted to IB MYP will not be allowed to apply for the Early College or other choice program as a high school rising freshman.

The intention is for students to complete the entire MYP program they were accepted to for 6th-10th grade. This expectation will now be stated clearly in the application process. Currently enrolled IB MYP 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will continue to be allowed to apply to Early College.

Rationale: The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a comprehensive course of study that is not considered complete until the end of 10th grade.

When a student is accepted to the MYP as a rising 6th grader, they are being accepted into the full program through 10th grade, and they are expected to complete it.

Students are not required to reapply for entry into the high school MYP portion.
A commitment to completing the entire program is an expectation.
If a student chooses not to complete the MYP, they will return to their zoned traditional high school. Students do have access to rigorous programs in traditional high schools such as Career College Promise and Advanced Placement.
Leaving the program early to apply to a different choice program is discouraged because it means a valuable MYP slot, where space is already limited, was provided to a student who did not fulfill the commitment, thereby taking an opportunity away from another student who would have completed the program.

If an MYP student who has been accepted to IBMYP grades 6th-10th, decides to leave the IBMYP program during grades 6th-10th, he/she will return to their assigned zoned school.

The same applies to a student who determines after finishing the IBMYP to not continue to IB DP/CP he or she will return to their zoned school.

Rationale: This is to ensure that space is freed up, allowing another student to join the choice program.

Furthermore, students should only be attending schools outside their zoned school district if they are:

Enrolled in a choice program.
Approved through the out-of-district process offered during the summer.

Beginning with this application cycle, students who are not currently enrolled in an school in Iredell-Statesville Schools and are applying to the IB MYP will be placed on a waitlist to fill available spots after I-SS students have been given preference.

Possible Scenarios

What about students who go to the PYP elementary schools but live out of distirct?

Will my rising 5th grader, who attends a school outside of Iredell-Statesville School, and has a sibling that is currently a 6th grader in the IBMYP be able to apply?

I'm an I-SS employee and my child is attending Montessori, can they still apply to the IBMYP for 6th grade?

IB Schools

Resources

Applications

Life-Long Learners

Important Application Dates and Timeline