International Baccalaureate - Dakota Ridge High School

International Baccalaureate at Dakota Ridge High School

Dakota Ridge High School is proud to be an International Baccalaureate Programme School. Dakota Ridge offers two IB options for students. All DRHS juniors and seniors are invited to become a part of the IB Programme at Dakota Ridge, either as diploma candidates or certificate students.

Read below to learn more about the two IB options for DRHS students.

For questions or to learn more, contact IB Coordinator, Holly Davis: holly.davis@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Learn more about International Baccalaureate

IB Diploma Pathway

The IB diploma pathway is for students who are interested in pursuing the IB Diploma in 11th and 12th grade.

Benefits of earning an IB Diploma can include:

The opportunity to earn college credit while enrolled in high school
Excellent preparation for college-level academics
Competitiveness for both college admissions and scholarships
A challenging high school experience that prepares students to be successful in college and beyond

Dakota Ridge High School IB Recommended Pathways

Students considering the IB Programme for their junior year can complete the form indicating their interest in the IB program as incoming 9th- and 10th-graders.

Current 8th Grade Interest Form

Current 9th or 10th Grade Interest Form

IB Certificate Classes

The second pathway option is the opportunity to take classes on an "a la carte" basis. This means that all juniors and seniors are invited to take the IB classes of their choice, without the commitment of doing the full diploma. The following classes are available to all upperclassmen at Dakota Ridge:

IB Language and Literature
IB Spanish, French, or German
IB History
IB Biology
IB Chemistry
IB Physics
IB Math Applications and Interpretations
IB Math Analysis and Approaches
IB Visual Arts
IB World Religions
IB Psychology

All of these classes are available to juniors and seniors, and all offer the chance to earn college credit!

Learn more about earning college credit for IB classes in the state of Colorado.

IB Information Nights

IB information nights will be held this year on:

Tuesday November 18, 6:00pm in the DRHS Library – This will be an IB-specific information night for all interested 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students and their parents. Come learn about the amazing world of IB – whether you want to take one or two IB classes or pursue the IB diploma – this night will answer all of your questions.
Wednesday December 3, 6:00-8:00pm DRHS Information Night: 6:00-6:30pm overview presentation in the auditorium; 6:30-7:30pm IB-specific information session in the DRHS Library; 7:30-8:00pm optional building tour.

IB Information Nights (2025-2026)

Background

History of IB

Established in 1968, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme was created by a group of talented, forward-thinking educators at the International School of Geneva, with assistance from several other international schools.

What started as a single programme for internationally mobile students preparing for university, has today grown into four programmes for students aged 3-19. The DP was established to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding.

Today, the DP is a comprehensive and rigorous two year curriculum for junior and seniors, aged 16-19. As of May 2015, there are 2,795 schools offering the DP, in 143 different countries worldwide.

IB 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. – ibo.org

AP vs. IB

What is the Diploma Programme?

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is established by the IB and is an assessed programme for students aged 16-19. It is respected by leading universities across the globe. The DP organizes teaching and learning through six subject groups, underpinned by the DP core.

DP Curriculum

DP Core

Theory of Knowledge – Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
The Extended Essay (EE) – An independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000 word paper.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – Students complete a project related to these three concepts.

DP six subject groups

Benefits of Earning an IB Diploma

Students receive an International Diploma that is recognized worldwide.
The DP focuses on rigorous academic study, within a broad and balanced curriculum, which can prepare students well for employment.
The IB diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise.
Colleges and universities recognize that IB diploma recipients are better prepared for the demands of college.
Participation in the IB program is widely hailed by American universities, as well as international universities.
Tuition savings can be quite significant for IB diploma recipients.

Earning the IB Diploma at Dakota Ridge

In order to earn the IB Diploma at Dakota Ridge, students in grades 11 and 12 must follow the DRHS Pre-IB and IB Scope and Sequence.

Additional information about the International Baccalaureate Programmes can be found at ibo.org

IB learner profile

At the heart of the International Baccalaureate is the learner profile. As explained by the IB, “The IB learner profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.”

As IB learners, students strive to be:

Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable: We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled: We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring: We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have commitment and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others in the world around us.
Risk-takers: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives – intellectual, physical and emotional – to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Reflective: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses to support our learning and personal development.

Watch a video about the IB's learner profile.

Why Dakota Ridge IB?

In a word, community. There are many reasons why the Dakota Ridge International Baccalaureate Programme is right for you and your student, but we believe that our greatest asset is each other.

IB Community

The IB community is an integral part of the Dakota Ridge community. When you join the IB DP Programme at Dakota Ridge, you are becoming part of a close-knit group that exists within the exceptional community at Dakota Ridge.

DRHS’ first graduating IB class was in May 2013, but in this short time we have established ourselves as a strong program that offers many benefits to our students that other schools and programs don't.

Outstanding faculty who are highly trained and care greatly about our students
IB parent organization that supports students throughout the year with:
- Pre-IB and IB community events, such as the IB Fall Kickoff
- Pre-IB and IB finals study nights, with dinner provided
EE, ToK and CAS coordinators who are all highly trained and passionate about the IB programme

Results

By building a community first, the Dakota Ridge IB DP Programme is demonstrating real results, including:

100% IB Diploma pass rate in 2014, 2020, 2021 and 2022
Multiple IB graduates awarded partial and full scholarships to the schools of their choice
As many as 58 college credits awarded to DP graduates at universities and colleges.
All IB students – not just diploma recipients – receiving a world-class education

IB subject briefs

To learn more about each of the IB classes offered at Dakota Ridge.

The IB DP Core

DRHS IB policies

Enrollment and Admission

Prospective students and families

IB information nights

IB information nights will be held this year on:

Tuesday November 18, 6:00pm in the DRHS Library – This will be an IB-specific information night for all interested 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students and their parents. Come learn about the amazing world of IB – whether you want to take one or two IB classes or pursue the IB diploma – this night will answer all of your questions.
Wednesday December 3, 6:00-8:00 DRHS Information Night: 6:00-6:30pm overview presentation in the auditorium; 6:30-7:30pm IB-specific information session in the DRHS Library; 7:30-8:00pm optional building tour.

Interested families can join us for one of these nights (they don't need to attend both) to learn about the benefits of our IB programme.

Choice enrollment begins in December.

Questions? Call or email our IB coordinator, Holly Davis, at 303-982-8956 or holly.davis@jeffco.k12.co.us

Informational videos

Shadow days

Admission

Join our IB community! If you have questions about the enrollment process, contact IB coordinator Holly Davis at holly.davis@jeffco.k12.co.us

Interested in joining IB? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Submit the DRHS IB interest form:
1. Current 8th Grade Interest Form (for students currently in 8th grade
2. Current 9th or 10th Grade Interest Form (for students currently in 9th or 10th grade)
Complete Jeffco enrollment. Be sure to select the “Dakota Ridge High School International Baccalaureate Program” option.
Follow the “DRHS IB Recommended Pathways” guide to help you complete class registration.

Resources

Student Resources

Request for Results

If you are a graduating senior, and would like to have your IB exam scores sent to the college you will be attending, you must complete this, IB Request for Results 2026 form NO LATER than Friday, May 8, 2026. If you do not complete the "Request for Results" form by May 8, you will need to request that scores be sent on your own. After May 8, you may request scores be sent by visiting this website. Please note, there is a fee when requesting scores after the May 8^th deadline.

Exam Fees

Earning College Credit

In 2003, Colorado passed legislative bill HB1108. This bill guarantees a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit for all IB Diploma graduates who attend a Colorado four-year public college or university and do not have a score of less than 4 on an IB exam. This is an incredible incentive for IB Diploma graduates who elect to remain in Colorado for college.

For more information on how college credits are awarded in the state of Colorado for IB classes, go to Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Although all state-supported schools are required to publish current IB credit award information, you are urged to look at the individual campus policies for how IB credits are awarded in various subjects and contact individual schools with any questions you may have.

Curious how universities, countries, and/or territories beyond Colorado recognize and award credit for IB? The IB's Recognition Statements Database continues to expand with information for more than 2,000 universities worldwide. Use this link to explore how IB credits are awarded across the globe.

Finally, the IB continually works with colleges and universities around the world to recognize and award IB graduates. For information regarding how the IB works with higher education, go to IBO.org

Parent Resources

The Dakota Ridge IB Parent Organization exists to support the DRHS IB Diploma Programme, along with the DRHS Pre-IB and IB students and their families. All parents and guardians of DRHS Pre-IB and IB students are encouraged to get involved with the IB Parent Organization and they welcome new members!

To inquire about joining or becoming involved throughout the year, contact IB Parent Organization president Monica Sheehy at dribpg@gmail.com

IB Connected

IB Connected is our monthly DRHS IB newsletter. The goal of the newsletter is to help share all of the great IB happenings that go on at Dakota and to keep our families and community informed about all of our students' incredible accomplishments, upcoming events, and celebrations. IB Connected will be emailed monthly to all of our families, but you will be able to find past issues linked here as well.