The IB program for high school years is a demanding pre-university course of study that is designed for highly motivated students aged 16 to 19. The program has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to the world’s leading universities. The program goal is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community. With the strengths of a traditional liberal arts curriculum, the IB program also has three additional features including an extended essay, Theory of Knowledge, and a community service component. Together, the program equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment.

THE BROADWAY CAMPUS
Grades 10 through 12 attend our Broadway campus. We are fortunate to be housed in a historically significant building at the edge of the downtown area. Because of its location, upper school students have easy access to many of Boise’s resources. Our students work within the community pursuing service-learning projects, internships, city and state political opportunities, and educational options offered by neighboring Boise State University.

IB DIPLOMA CURRICULUM
Riverstone International School is committed to international awareness and understanding. It is the first school in Idaho to be authorized by the IBO to offer the IB Diploma Program. All IB courses are taken over a two-year period. Riverstone requires students to choose three Higher Level (HL) and three Standard Level (SL) courses, following the recommended course load set forth by the IBO. IB tests are administered in May of the students’ senior year. Students must also complete 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service, 100 hours of Theory of Knowledge, and write an Extended Essay of 4,000 words.

The following IB courses have been or are currently offered.

Group 1:
English A1 (HL & SL)
German A1 (SL/ST)
Korean A1 (*SL/ST)
Mongolian A1 (*SL /ST)
Spanish A1 (*SL/ST)
Turkish A1 (*SL/ST)
Vietnamese A1 (*SL/ST)

Group 2:
French B (HL & SL)
Spanish B (HL & SL)
Spanish Ab-Initio (SL)
English B (HL & SL)

Group 3:
History of the Americas (HL & SL)
World Religions

Group 4:
Biology (HL & SL)
Chemistry (HL & SL)
Physics (SL)

Group 5:
Math (HL & SL)
Math Studies (SL)

Group 6:
Art (HL & SL)
Music (HL & SL)
Theatre Arts (HL & SL)

*SL/ST indicates a self-taught course

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
All Riverstone students follow a curriculum comprised solely of IB courses in grades 11 and 12. Students are awarded a school diploma upon completion of the course of study. Riverstone operates on a two-semester schedule with exams at the end of each term. The minimum program of study leading to graduation includes 24 units in the major academic subjects, four years each of English, History, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Science, and Fine Arts.

All students must take a minimum of six core classes each year, and receive grades at the end of each semester. Courses are graded on a scale of A to F as follows:

A = 4.00 A- = 3.75 B+ = 3.25 B = 3.00 B- = 2.75 C+ = 2.25 C- = 1.75 D+ = 1.25 D = 1.00 F = 0.00

STATEMENT OF RANKING
Due to the small size of our school, the academic rigor, and the selectivity of admissions, Riverstone does not consider class rank to be a valid measure of student achievement. Unweighted grade point averages are calculated and reported to colleges and universities. Elective courses are not calculated into G.P.A.s. The highest G.P.A. available is 4.0, although it is rare (only one students has ever attained this level).

COLLEGE COUNSELING & PLACEMENT
Riverstone’s college counseling program begins in grade 9 and continues through the application process in grade 12. Included in this program is a college trip that all students take in their junior year. Riverstone students are consistently admitted into the finest colleges and universities. The following list shows the schools, colleges, and universities to which the 2005-2008 graduates have been admitted:

Acadia College
American University*
Barnard College
Bates College
Bentley College
Boise State University*
Brigham Young University*
Brown University*
California Institute of Technology
Cambridge University* (U.K.)
Carroll College*
Chapman University
Colby College
College of Idaho*
Colorado College
Creighton University
DePauw University*
Duke University
Emory University
Evergreen College*
George Washington University*
Georgetown University
Gonzaga University
Hamline College
Humbolt State University
Kenyon College
Lewis & Clark College*
Linfield College
Macalester College
Middlebury College*
Mills College*
Montana State University
Mount Holyoke
Muhlenberg College*
New York University*
Northwest Nazarene University*
Northwestern University*
Occidental College
Pacific University
Portland Art Institute*
Reed College*
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rice University*
Santa Barbara City College*
Sarah Lawrence College*
Savannah College of Art and Design*
Seattle University*
Smith College
St. John’s College
St. Louis University
Stanford University*
State University of New York – Binghampton
Trinity University
University of California at Los Angeles
University of Colorado – Boulder
University of Idaho
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne
University of Minnesota
University of Montana
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania*
University of Portland
University of Puget Sound
University of Rochester
University of San Francisco*
University of Southern California*
University of the Pacific*
University of Redlands*
University of Tulsa
University of Washington
University of Wyoming
Vassar College
Wellesley College*
Wheaton College
Whitman College
Willamette University*
Williams College*
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Yale University

*Indicates where graduates are currently enrolled.