International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

In Guilford County Schools it's cool to be smart, and partners in our business community are backing that up! Crown Automotive and Harris Teeter Neighborhood Markets are collaborating with Guilford County Schools to encourage students to enroll in rigorous courses and to achieve high scores on the course examinations.

Since 1996, Guilford County Schools has been proud to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for highly motivated high school students. The rigorous standards of academic excellence associated with IB make it a compelling option for many students. The program's influence also serves to raise academic expectations for all students.

One of only a small number of North Carolina school systems authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the prestigious diploma program, Guilford County boasts three established programs at High Point Central High School, Grimsley High School, and Smith High School.

All interested students throughout the school district have an opportunity to begin preparation for the program at the middle school level. Through IB, Guilford County Schools is proud to offer a world-class education for all students who aspire to enter selective universities throughout the world.

Short History of the International Baccalaureate

The idea of an international baccalaureate grew out of the practical need to prepare students enrolled in international schools for a variety of national examinations required to pursue university study. With the impetus provided by the International Schools Association, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) was established in Geneva in 1965.

The International Baccalaureate North America oversees the program in more than 300 schools in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Students are often accorded advanced standing and college credit based on their IB work. Credit is assessed and granted upon the successful completion of the IB examination by the College Board. As part of our commitment to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve, Guilford County Schools will pay for the cost of the examination fees assessed by the IBO for each test.