International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous pre-university course of study that meets the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of the various national systems of education, the IB program is based on the pattern of no single country. It provides students of different linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social, and critical perspectives necessary for the adult world that lies ahead of them.

The education of the "whole person" takes on a special significance in the twenty-first century when knowledge continues to expand dramatically; when advanced technologies and global economies have tied together vastly different cultures; when the world is bound too closely for provincial ideologies to guide political thought; when to exist in a world community requires appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity; and when cooperation alone will solve global problems. It is essential therefore that academic training provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to succeed in the competitive modern world.

All IB Diploma candidates are required to engage in the study of Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, and Humanities in the final two years of their secondary schooling.

The high standards implicit in the IB examinations assume high levels of achievement and preparation at the middle school and Florida’s Pre-IB levels. This program is a deliberate compromise between the preference for specialization in some countries and the emphasis on breadth often preferred in others. The intent is that students should learn how to learn, how to analyze, and how to reach considered conclusions about people, their languages and literature, their ways in society, and the scientific forces of the environment.

Since the International Baccalaureate Office was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1965, the IB Program has grown to almost 5,000 schools in 150 countries. Working in three official languages (English, French, and Spanish), IB enjoys the respect and support of many governments, colleges, and universities.

Students are often accorded advanced standing in college based on their IB work. Significant numbers of IB Diploma holders both from within and outside North America have gained admission to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Stanford, MIT, the University of Chicago, and other prominent institutions.

Parents and Guardians: 

Dear IB Parents: We are off to an excellent start this year and are grateful for your support as we strive to prepare your students for success in college and beyond.  Please reach out to one of the IB administrators above if you have any questions about our IB Program or your IB student’s matriculation at James S. Rickards High School.

Congratulations to IB Junior Anmol Kumar, who finished first in the United States in the 2026 Global Quantum Mechanics Challenge!  The competition took place over the summer and involved three separate rounds in which contestants had to solve problems, answer challenging questions, and engage in analysis of real-world research in all areas of quantum mechanics.  Anmol achieved the highest score in the final round of all the students in the United States who participated in the competition.  We are proud of Anmol for all his hard work and success in this prestigious competition!

2026 PSAT Exam: Parents of IB Juniors: If you are interested in having your IB junior take the PSAT this year for a chance to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship, you must register and pay ($18) for the test online via e-funds before September 19th.  Please see the attached flyer for more details.  The test will be given here on campus during the school day on Wednesday, October 21st, and there will be NO make-up exam.  This is your child’s one chance to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship, so please take advantage of it if you are interested.  All sophomores will automatically be registered to take the PSAT and will take the exam on campus October 21st, but only Juniors who take the PSAT can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.

May 2027 IB and AP Exam Schedule: Please see the attached IB and AP Exam schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.  Please contact Dr. Williams and Mrs. Melissa Cooper as soon as possible if your student has a conflict between an IB and an AP Exam that are scheduled at the same time on the same day so we can arrange for a late AP Exam for your student.  Late AP Exams must be scheduled in advance by Mrs. Cooper and are only available to students who have a conflict between an AP Exam and an IB or EOC Exam.

IB Senior College Application Day: IB Senior College Application Day will take place at James S. Rickards High School on Wednesday, October 7th, in the Rickards Cafeteria.  Students will be excused from their classes and will be in the Cafeteria with Dr. Williams, our IB Administrative Team, and our Guidance Counselors, working on their college applications throughout the day.  We will also have Admissions and Financial Aid representatives from Florida A & M University, Florida State University, and Tallahassee State College who will give presentations to our IB seniors about the college application process and answer their questions about admissions and financial aid at any institution.  Students will also have the opportunity to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which will be available online beginning October 1st, and the FFAA (Florida Financial Aid Application), which is also the application for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.  Please make sure your students are in school to participate in this valuable annual event.

May 2026 IB Exam Session Highlights: Our 2025-2026 IB seniors and juniors did well this past year in their overall IB Exam results.  32 out of 59 (54%) of our IB Diploma Candidates (Class of 2026 IB Diploma Program Seniors) earned an IB Diploma.  Our overall IB Exam pass rate (4 or higher out of a possible 7) for all 116 students who took IB Exams was also 68%.  The average points earned by those passing the diploma was 29 out of a possible 45 points (24 is the minimum passing score), and the average grade obtained by candidates who passed the diploma was 4.58 points out of a possible 7. The highest point total earned was 36.

IB Diplomas are here!  The official IB Diplomas and IB Transcripts for Rickards IB Class of 2026 graduates have arrived.  Please email Dr. Williams at joe.williams@leonschools.net to make an appointment to pick up your IB Diploma and/or IB Transcript.  One of your parents may also pick up your IB Diploma and IB Transcript for you.  

Any IB/PreIB parents willing to share contact information with other IB/PreIB parents to participate in carpooling, please email your contact information (phone number and/or email) and zoned school to Mrs. Victoria Williams| Email  

Welcome new parents and students to the Rickards IB Family!

We are thrilled to welcome you and your student(s) to the International Baccalaureate program at Rickards! Our IB community is built on curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to developing compassionate global citizens.

Your student is embarking on an exciting academic journey, and we are here to support them every step of the way. Whether you have questions about coursework, CAS activities, or simply want to connect, please do not hesitate to reach out. We believe that strong partnerships between families and our IB team help students thrive.

Welcome aboard—we're so glad you're here!

Welcome Back, returning IB Students!

Welcome back to another exciting year in the IB program!  This year will bring new challenges, deeper learning, and more opportunities to shine—whether in the classroom, through CAS, or in your Extended Essay and IA work. Remember, we're here to support you every step of the way.  Let's make this year your best one yet. We're excited to see all you'll accomplish!

The IB Career-related Programme (Grades 11 & 12)
The Career-related Programme (CP) is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education. The CP was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement.

The CP Curriculum consists of: 

• Two courses from the IB Diploma Programme (IB)
• the CP core (Community Engagement, Reflective Project, Language and Cultural Studies, and Personal and Professional Skills)
• Career-related Studies – Certified Nursing Program

This program offers students the rigor and challenge of IB without the requirements of the full IB Diploma Programme. 

Benefits of the IB CP for students:

• Combine academic subjects with their personal and professional interests and skills
• Think critically and creatively
• Build effective communication skills
• Develop greater self-confidence and self-awareness
• Be internationally-minded and globally aware
• Apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and situations.

If you have questions about this program, please contact E. Melissa Cooper at coopere@leonschools.net or Dr. Williams at williamsj@leonschools.net.