St. Frederick High School was authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as an IB World School in October of 2023, becoming the only school in North Louisiana to receive such a distinction. St. Frederick joins the ranks of over 5000 schools worldwide offering the IB, which focuses on developing well-rounded students of excellent character, who are ready for 21st-century challenges. The program aligns perfectly with the school’s Catholic identity and college preparatory curriculum.
What is the mission of IB?
"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."
How is this mission apparent at St. Frederick High School?
Our school’s IB program is focused on creating principled, purposeful, curious learners who care about others and who understand and appreciate communities outside their own. All of our students have access to this program, which stresses the importance of balance and self-reflection. Most importantly, the program encourages students to turn ideas into action, impacting their school and community through service learning projects, and developing a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.
What does the IB teach?
Our school’s IB program helps students to develop critical thinking skills, to find creative solutions to real-world problems, to embrace new ideas and new technologies, to respond ethically to the challenges of our rapidly changing world, to foster self-motivation and self-management skills, to work collaboratively, and to communicate effectively. We believe these are essential life skills, necessary for students’ success in college and life beyond high school.
What Makes IB Different?
What makes IB unique is its approach to learning, which is inquiry-based and student-led. Students are at the center of every unit, and the goal of assignments is to engage students in interdisciplinary lessons meant to broaden their understanding of the subject matter and the world around them. Students are encouraged to develop life-skills such as critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and empathy. Subject matter taught goes beyond the core four to include the arts, design, and a second language.
What is the Diploma Program (DP)?
"The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay. Through the Diploma Programme (DP) core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service."
St. Frederick is proud to announce that we have been authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Coursework beginning in the Fall of 2026. This decision comes after months of preparation and participation in the IB Pilot program, and it is thanks to the efforts of the entire St. Frederick community. With this decision, St. Frederick becomes the only school in the state north of I-10 to offer this prestigious program.
St. Frederick students can choose to take one or more IB courses, or they can pursue the IB Diploma, a fully developed curriculum for students in their junior and senior years. The IB Diploma coursework develops students’ skills in the core four subjects, the arts, and a second language. Diploma students also develop independent research skills, reflect on the nature of knowledge, and participate in group and individual service learning activities.
Benefits of the Diploma Program
"Research suggests that there are many benefits to choosing the Diploma Programme (DP). The programme aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge—students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically."
Participation in the IB leads to student success in high school coursework and helps prepare them for life outside the walls of school. Studies have also shown that participation in the IB helps students get into the college of their choice. Click the link to read more about the IB's impact on University Admissions.
10 Reasons why the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is ideal preparation for university
Diploma Program Curriculum
All students have access to DP coursework, and students take internal and external assessments through the International Baccalaureate®. DP level coursework has a significant impact on students' transcripts, and success on course assessments can lead to advanced placement at instiutions of high learning.
Diploma Program Courses
The following courses will be offered for the 2026-2027 school year. HL (Higher Level) courses are taught as a two-year sequence, and SL (Standard Level) courses can be taught over one or two years:
IB Diploma
Further, students can earn an IB Diploma after successful completion of coursework and assessments from the six subject groups and DP core. To achieve an IB Diploma, candidates must meet the Diploma Programme (DP) passing criteria:
For a full description of St. Frederick High School's course catalog and course listings, please see our Curriculum Guide.
For more information about the MYP at St. Frederick High School, contact our IB Coordinator: Adam Ryland (aryland@stfrederickhigh.org).
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