Galileo Magnet High School

Galileo Magnet High School offers two International Baccalaureate Programmes to its students. Galileo is authorized as a Middle Years Programme (MYP) school. The Middle Years Programme is designed for students in grades six through ten. The curriculum is focused around Five Areas of Interaction. These include Approaches to Learning, Health and Social Education, Environment, Community and Service, and Human Ingenuity. Additionally, students are expected to take courses in Language A (native language), Language B (a second language), Humanities, Math, Science, Physical Education, Technology, and the Arts. Students in grade ten are required to complete a Personal Project that encompasses the Areas of Interaction within a project designed by the MYP student. There is a strong emphasis on internationalism throughout the curriculum. Students are expected to complete community service projects throughout the school year. Ninth grade students are required to complete forty hours of community service, and tenth grade students are required to complete fifty hours of community service. Documentation forms for these hours are available from the advisors or the IB Coordinator.

The Middle Years Programme provides students with the opportunity to be better prepared for the challenging demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students interested in enrolling in the IB Diploma Programme courses are required to successfully complete all aspects of the Personal Project and the required community service hours.

The Diploma Programme is a rigorous course of study that is completed during the eleventh and twelfth grade years. Subjects of study are Language A1 (English), Language B, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Arts/Psychology. In addition, students are required to complete an Extended Essay, participate in Creativity/Action/Service projects, and complete the required Theory of Knowledge course and its requisites. IB Standard Level (SL) courses are one year courses, and IB Higher Level (HL) courses are two year courses. Currently, Galileo offers three Higher Level courses and three Standard Level courses.

Any student who is enrolled in an IB course is required to sit for the IB exams which will be administered in May 2008. The prices for the exams are listed below.

                                                           Exam Fees for Spring 2008
                                                                      1 exam $215
                                                                      2 exams $301
                                                                      3 exams $387
                                               4 exams, TOK fee and Extended Essay fee $345

If a student drops out of an IB course on or before September 7, 2007, exam fees will be refunded. After that time, there can be no refunds, and any student who has not paid the exam fees will be removed from the IB course(s) in which he/she is enrolled.
IB schedule changes must be completed during the first ten (10) school days of the academic year. Dropped courses after the first ten days will result in a final semester grade of .F. for that course. Since students must be enrolled in four courses each semester, he/she will be placed in another course and will be responsible for all assignments. A parent must schedule a conference with the IB Coordinator and Guidance Counselor before any changes will be honored.

IB COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Language A1
IB Language HL (higher level) is a collaborative anthology of American, British, and World Literature that is designed to enable the students to develop skills in analyzing and interpreting the prose and poetry of literature written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts, and to become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This course strives to promote international awareness and appreciation of the various ways in which cultures influence and shape the experience of life in a manner common to all humanity. Via their writing and reading in this course, students become aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way conventions and the resources of language contribute to effective writing.

Language B (French and Spanish)
IB Language B is designed to build confidence in the use of languages, to develop sensitivity to the audience, and to convey ideas clearly. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated into speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn to communicate in a variety of situations by learning to select language appropriate to a particular cultural and social context. They develop competence in conveying messages by understanding ideas and how they are organized. Auditory practice comes from a range of authentic media, and reading will be taken from diverse types of authentic sources and classic literature. Writing is done in many styles. Students are expected to use grammatical structures accurately and to understand subtleties and nuances of speech.

IB Individuals and Societies
History of the Americas is a study of our region’s heritage, from exploration and colonization through revolution, rebellion, and imperialism into world leadership. The course examines the United States foreign policy in Latin America, 1898-1945. Students also explore major topics in Twentieth-Century History. One goal is to prepare students to explain different approaches to and interpretations of historical events and topics. Also, students develop an ability to comprehend, analyze, evaluate, and integrate source material critically as historical evidence.

IB Biology (HL)
This course aims to help students develop the conceptual framework and the experimental and analytical skills necessary for an understanding of modern biology. Students explore major topics in biology from the perspective of both theory and experimental research, and they gain appreciation of science as a process and a way of knowing. Students gain experience in the use of scientific literature and the use of technology to access scientific information. Scientific inquiry is emphasized. An in-depth group 4 project is required.

IB Mathematics (SL)
This course is designed for students who already possess knowledge of basic mathematical concepts, and who are equipped with the skills needed to apply simple mathematical techniques correctly. The majority of the students will need a sound mathematical background as they prepare for future studies in subjects such as chemistry, economics, psychology, and business administration. The course focuses on introducing important mathematical concepts through the development of mathematical techniques. The intention is to introduce students to these concepts in a comprehensible and coherent way. Students should wherever possible apply the mathematical knowledge they have acquired to solve realistic problems set in an appropriate context. Students should have completed pre-calculus prior to enrolling in the course.

IB Psychology (SL)
The IB psychology course is designed to encourage the systematic and critical study of human experience and behavior, physical, economic and social environments, and the history and development of social and cultural institutions. Students will identify and analyze critically, and evaluate theories, concepts, and arguments related to individuals and societies. Students are expected to interpret and/or conduct psychological research and develop an understanding of different theoretical processes that are used to interpret behavior.

IB Theatre Arts
The aims of the programme in Theatre Arts are to help students understand the nature of the theatre; to understand it by making it as well as by studying it; to understand it not only with their minds but with their senses and their emotions. Students explore the forms it takes in cultures other than their own. Through this understanding they are prepared to understand themselves, their society, and their world. Students explore theatrical history of several cultures, interpret and illuminate play scripts and other theatrical texts, appreciate the art of the stage and criticism related to it. Students also perform before audiences in order to demonstrate and understanding of acting techniques.

Theory of Knowledge
The Theory of Knowledge course is central to the educational philosophy of the IB Programme. It challenges students to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society. It encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.

The International Baccalaureate Programme

Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Galileo Magnet High School offers two International Baccalaureate Programmes to its students. Galileo is authorized as a Middle Years Programme (MYP) school. The Middle Years Programme is designed for students in grades six through ten. The curriculum is focused around Five Areas of Interaction. These include Approaches to Learning, Health and Social Education, Environment, Community and Service, and Human Ingenuity. Additionally, students are expected to take courses in Language A (native language), Language B (a second language), Humanities, Math, Science, Physical Education, Technology, and the Arts. Students in grade ten are required to complete a Personal Project that encompasses the Areas of Interaction within a project designed by the MYP student. There is a strong emphasis on internationalism throughout the curriculum. Students are expected to complete community service projects throughout the school year. Ninth grade students are required to complete forty hours of community service, and tenth grade students are required to complete fifty hours of community service. Documentation forms for these hours are available from the advisors or the IB Coordinator. The Middle Years Programme provides students with the opportunity to be better prepared for the challenging demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students interested in enrolling in the IB Diploma Programme courses are required to successfully complete all aspects of the Personal Project and the required community service hours. The Diploma Programme is a rigorous course of study that is completed during the eleventh and twelfth grade years. Subjects of study are Language A1 (English), Language B, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Arts/Psychology. In addition, students are required to complete an Extended Essay, participate in Creativity/Action/Service projects, and complete the required Theory of Knowledge course and its requisites. IB Standard Level (SL) courses are one year courses, and IB Higher Level (HL) courses are two year courses. Currently, Galileo offers three Higher Level courses and three Standard Level courses. Any student who is enrolled in an IB course is required to sit for the IB exams which will be administered in May 2008. The prices for the exams are listed below. Exam Fees for Spring 2008 1 exam $215 2 exams $301 3 exams $387 4 exams, TOK fee and Extended Essay fee $345 If a student drops out of an IB course on or before September 7, 2007, exam fees will be refunded. After that time, there can be no refunds, and any student who has not paid the exam fees will be removed from the IB course(s) in which he/she is enrolled. IB schedule changes must be completed during the first ten (10) school days of the academic year. Dropped courses after the first ten days will result in a final semester grade of .F. for that course. Since students must be enrolled in four courses each semester, he/she will be placed in another course and will be responsible for all assignments. A parent must schedule a conference with the IB Coordinator and Guidance Counselor before any changes will be honored. IB COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Language A1 IB Language HL (higher level) is a collaborative anthology of American, British, and World Literature that is designed to enable the students to develop skills in analyzing and interpreting the prose and poetry of literature written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts, and to become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This course strives to promote international awareness and appreciation of the various ways in which cultures influence and shape the experience of life in a manner common to all humanity. Via their writing and reading in this course, students become aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way conventions and the resources of language contribute to effective writing. Language B (French and Spanish) IB Language B is designed to build confidence in the use of languages, to develop sensitivity to the audience, and to convey ideas clearly. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated into speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn to communicate in a variety of situations by learning to select language appropriate to a particular cultural and social context. They develop competence in conveying messages by understanding ideas and how they are organized. Auditory practice comes from a range of authentic media, and reading will be taken from diverse types of authentic sources and classic literature. Writing is done in many styles. Students are expected to use grammatical structures accurately and to understand subtleties and nuances of speech. IB Individuals and Societies History of the Americas is a study of our region’s heritage, from exploration and colonization through revolution, rebellion, and imperialism into world leadership. The course examines the United States foreign policy in Latin America, 1898-1945. Students also explore major topics in Twentieth-Century History. One goal is to prepare students to explain different approaches to and interpretations of historical events and topics. Also, students develop an ability to comprehend, analyze, evaluate, and integrate source material critically as historical evidence. IB Biology (HL) This course aims to help students develop the conceptual framework and the experimental and analytical skills necessary for an understanding of modern biology. Students explore major topics in biology from the perspective of both theory and experimental research, and they gain appreciation of science as a process and a way of knowing. Students gain experience in the use of scientific literature and the use of technology to access scientific information. Scientific inquiry is emphasized. An in-depth group 4 project is required. IB Mathematics (SL) This course is designed for students who already possess knowledge of basic mathematical concepts, and who are equipped with the skills needed to apply simple mathematical techniques correctly. The majority of the students will need a sound mathematical background as they prepare for future studies in subjects such as chemistry, economics, psychology, and business administration. The course focuses on introducing important mathematical concepts through the development of mathematical techniques. The intention is to introduce students to these concepts in a comprehensible and coherent way. Students should wherever possible apply the mathematical knowledge they have acquired to solve realistic problems set in an appropriate context. Students should have completed pre-calculus prior to enrolling in the course. IB Psychology (SL) The IB psychology course is designed to encourage the systematic and critical study of human experience and behavior, physical, economic and social environments, and the history and development of social and cultural institutions. Students will identify and analyze critically, and evaluate theories, concepts, and arguments related to individuals and societies. Students are expected to interpret and/or conduct psychological research and develop an understanding of different theoretical processes that are used to interpret behavior. IB Theatre Arts The aims of the programme in Theatre Arts are to help students understand the nature of the theatre; to understand it by making it as well as by studying it; to understand it not only with their minds but with their senses and their emotions. Students explore the forms it takes in cultures other than their own. Through this understanding they are prepared to understand themselves, their society, and their world. Students explore theatrical history of several cultures, interpret and illuminate play scripts and other theatrical texts, appreciate the art of the stage and criticism related to it. Students also perform before audiences in order to demonstrate and understanding of acting techniques. Theory of Knowledge The Theory of Knowledge course is central to the educational philosophy of the IB Programme. It challenges students to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society. It encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.