Thoughts on IB Schools - what are the cons? (credit, house)

[LovelySummer]

So, with all the fuss about IB schools, I'd assumed that this would be the option that any parent would love for his/her child. Me included. However, having just read a comment from a parent who has had a middle schooler in an IB school for 3 years and wants out, I had to post this question. Are IB schools for average kids or for diehard academics? How many hours of homework per night are we talking? What makes the progrm so rigorous.

The parent mentioned that it was extremely rigorous, stressful on the family and just not a good fit bc his/her child is not a diehard academic. Are typical kids (most of whom may be intlligent but are not diehard academics) right for IB schools? Parents of IB schoolers, is it stressful on the child? On the parent?

We've heard of the pros - what are the cons? Anyone willing to provide food for thought?

[GeorgiatoChina]

IB is serious business. If your kid is not as inclined academically I would just settle for AP/ Advanced courses and let them grow in what they show productive interest like art, sports, etc.

[nature's message]

Be sure to check on the type of courses they offer. The IB program ended up being a huge waste of my time, because most colleges ONLY accept HL credit (the majority of IB courses at my school were by far SL classes).

[JPD]

There's a pretty large crowd of tinfoil hat wearing lunatics blathering on and on about how IB is anti-American and is some sort of evil international conpiracy to turn our kids into beret wearing, baguette eating softies.

[LovelySummer]

I heard someone else complain that, for it to be an international program, there was surprising little about cultures other than western cultures but I'd never heard that

Originally Posted by JPD

There's a pretty large crowd of tinfoil hat wearing lunatics blathering on and on about how IB is anti-American and is some sort of evil international conpiracy to turn our kids into beret wearing, baguette eating softies.

[LovelySummer]

Know anything about IB at the elementary and middle school levels?

Originally Posted by GeorgiatoChina

IB is serious business. If your kid is not as inclined academically I would just settle for AP/ Advanced courses and let them grow in what they show productive interest like art, sports, etc.

[KTL75]

LovelySummer
I think it may have been my comment you read. Either way, we are wrapping up my sons eighth grade year in an IB middle school.
IB is very rigorous. 5-6 major projects each quarter. 1.5-2 hours homework every night. My son was strictly an A/B student thru 5th grade. 6th grade hit and the war in our house started. In all fairness, I believe it was a combination of nearing puberty, middle school and IB all colliding. My son is smart. He had to be to get into the IB school and remain for all 3 years. Our school has entrance and yearly requirements to remain in program. We've made it, sometimes by the skin of our teeth.
Plain and simple my son has been lazy. He admits it but IB pushes kids hard. Very rigorous. Kids can get burnt out. With that being said would we do it again, YES!! But we won't continue onto IB in HS. I would rather he choose AP or honors vs be required to take in all courses.
Some kids are academically motivated at a young age. My son just hasn't been. It's taking him longer and being a single mom, it's been hard on our relationship. But it's been an amazing experience as well. I LOVE his school. And he will be better off in the long run having had done IB GRADES 6-8.
Good luck. Only you know your child's motivation, maturity, intelligence level and readiness for an IB program.

[LovelySummer]

KTL, thank u for sharing ur insights. My son is not even 2 yet so I'm not asking for myself, per se. I just thought that the notion that IB was not the end-all-be-all was intriguing as I've never heard the downside. I think that it's perfectly understandable if a kid in 6th-8th grade doesn't want to do 2 hours of hw every night and doesn't want to do 5-6 major projects a quarter. I have to believe the kids who "like" doing that are perhpas influenced by parents or peers. What kid wants to do all of that work (instead of spending time on the telephone, playing sports, video games or other things that kids like to do). I say kudos for recognizing the effect its having on ur relationship and that ur son is perhaps not happy in the program and not compelling him to continue on. We have to be true to ourselves and teach our children to have the insight and courage to do the same.

Originally Posted by KTL75

LovelySummer
I think it may have been my comment you read. Either way, we are wrapping up my sons eighth grade year in an IB middle school.
IB is very rigorous. 5-6 major projects each quarter. 1.5-2 hours homework every night. My son was strictly an A/B student thru 5th grade. 6th grade hit and the war in our house started. In all fairness, I believe it was a combination of nearing puberty, middle school and IB all colliding. My son is smart. He had to be to get into the IB school and remain for all 3 years. Our school has entrance and yearly requirements to remain in program. We've made it, sometimes by the skin of our teeth.
Plain and simple my son has been lazy. He admits it but IB pushes kids hard. Very rigorous. Kids can get burnt out. With that being said would we do it again, YES!! But we won't continue onto IB in HS. I would rather he choose AP or honors vs be required to take in all courses.
Some kids are academically motivated at a young age. My son just hasn't been. It's taking him longer and being a single mom, it's been hard on our relationship. But it's been an amazing experience as well. I LOVE his school. And he will be better off in the long run having had done IB GRADES 6-8.
Good luck. Only you know your child's motivation, maturity, intelligence level and readiness for an IB program.

[LovelySummer]

And thanks again for spelling out the hw and project requirements. It is good for parents to know what is involved ahead of time.

Originally Posted by KTL75

LovelySummer
I think it may have been my comment you read. Either way, we are wrapping up my sons eighth grade year in an IB middle school.
IB is very rigorous. 5-6 major projects each quarter. 1.5-2 hours homework every night. My son was strictly an A/B student thru 5th grade. 6th grade hit and the war in our house started. In all fairness, I believe it was a combination of nearing puberty, middle school and IB all colliding. My son is smart. He had to be to get into the IB school and remain for all 3 years. Our school has entrance and yearly requirements to remain in program. We've made it, sometimes by the skin of our teeth.
Plain and simple my son has been lazy. He admits it but IB pushes kids hard. Very rigorous. Kids can get burnt out. With that being said would we do it again, YES!! But we won't continue onto IB in HS. I would rather he choose AP or honors vs be required to take in all courses.
Some kids are academically motivated at a young age. My son just hasn't been. It's taking him longer and being a single mom, it's been hard on our relationship. But it's been an amazing experience as well. I LOVE his school. And he will be better off in the long run having had done IB GRADES 6-8.
Good luck. Only you know your child's motivation, maturity, intelligence level and readiness for an IB program.

[Humanista]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

I have to believe the kids who "like" doing that are perhpas influenced by parents or peers.

I enjoyed pushing myself and was definitely not influenced by my parents or peers. For me, I was competitive and enjoyed being first. I wanted the best grades, to win the science fairs, etc. This competitive drive kind of faded once I got to MIT...but hey, it was MIT. I wouldn't discount young individuals who have a drive to succeed early.