International Baccalaureate

~ A world-class education at the local level ~

IB Info Night for parents (2nd chance!)

Thursday, November 10; 6:30-8:00; Room 210/212

Come find out what it means to be an IB student at Ygnacio Valley High School! Hear what our current and past students have to say. Speak to our IB teachers and staff. Bring your questions and be ready to be excited about the possibilities!!!!

Questions? Please contact Carissa Weintraub at 925-685-8414 x 3607 or by email: weintraubc@mdusd.org

Why be an IB student IB Courses & Options How to apply to take IB classes

Attention 9th and 10th graders: it's time to apply to be an International Baccalaureate student!

I'm in 9th grade - should I apply now?

YES! Even though the IB courses are for 11th and 12th graders, applying as a 9th grader guarantees your spot as an IB student.

I'm in Health/Ed Academy/AVID and only want to take 1 or 2 IB classes - should I apply?

YES! We require all students enrolled in IB classes to apply. You'll still be an Academy student. Please speak with Ms. Carr or Mr. Palmer regarding which IB classes you can take.

I'm not a straight-A student - can I still apply?

YES! Some people disagree, but grades aren't everything. The only thing the IB program at YVHS requires is that 1) you're interested in learning and 2) that you want to be more challenged in your classes.

I don't attend YVHS - can I be an IB student?

NO! Only students who attend YVHS can apply to be IB students. If you're interested in transferring to YVHS, please contact the MDUSD District Office and tell them you'd like to transfer here to be in the IB program.

Science classes go to Big Break Regional Park

On Thursday, September 7th, students from Environmental Systems & Societies, and Biology, went on a field trip to the Big Break Regional Park, located in Oakley, right on the Delta.

Students are preparing for their IB science class' Group 4 project--a collaborative endeavor during which students research a scientific question and present their findings. The project runs for at least a month and follows the scientific process of inquiry. Going to Big Break was the first step in this process.

While at Big Break, students learned about water issues in California, including gaining a better understanding of how the Delta is the end point of most of the water flow in our state. They performed water quality tests for levels of turbidity, phosphates, and nitrates, as well as pH. Students learned how these abiotic factors can change the quality of the water. Audrianna Chappell, 11th grader taking Environmental Systems & Societies, said that "It's weird how levels of pH and nitrates can affect the ecosystem."  

Students also had the opportunity to be introduced to the variety of animals and plants in the Big Break area. Murtaza Ibrahim, an 11th grader also in ESS, was "surprised by how many animals there were." During the interpretive hike, the students were shown evidence of barn owls, river otters, beavers, mice, raccoons, and muskrats. Students also saw house cats and were surprised to learn that these domestic animals can have a huge impact on wildlife because they are top predators. "Keep your cats in check," said Megan Clifton, an 11th grader in Biology.

After the interpretive hike and water testing, student were given the task of identifying and estimating numbers of macro invertebrates in the Delta water. These animals have different levels of tolerance to changes in the water. Observing their numbers, combined with the results of the water tests, is a way to estimate the "health" of an ecosystem.

Finally, students ended the day discussing possible research questions and opportunities to learn more about the Delta ecosystem.

Eventually, students will hone in on a research question, develop an experiment to be done at Big Break, conduct the research, then present their findings. Updates will be posted here!