IB Diploma Programme
The Frisco ISD International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is centrally located at Frisco High School, and all rising ninth grade students are eligible to apply for admission.
Each fall, eighth graders from across Frisco ISD are invited to submit a commitment form to express interest in participating in the IB Diploma Programme. Students who accept admission become Frisco High School students beginning their ninth grade year, although IB Diploma Programme courses begin their 11th grade year.
The IBDP’s academically challenging courses are designed to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills. IBDP coursework develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Informational Meetings
The IB informational meetings for rising high school students are offered online and in person. Eighth grade parents and students interested in the IB Diploma Programme are highly encouraged to attend:
Apply for Admissions
Admissions forms are accepted each fall for existing FISD students entering ninth grade for the upcoming school year.
Starting on Dec. 4, parents and students will be notified of their admissions status via email. Once notified of selection, parents will have 72 hours to accept or deny the offer to enroll in the IB Diploma Programme.
The IB Coordinator will send communication to admitted students and parents regarding middle school campus visits to update each student’s four-year high school plan.
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Open Enrollment
The IB Diploma Programme is an open enrollment program; however, there are a limited number of transfer seats available. If there is more interest than there are seats available, a lottery process is used to admit students.
Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme are guaranteed acceptance to Frisco High School in subsequent years while in the programme. Students and parents are required to provide transportation to Frisco High School.
Lottery Process
There are approximately 100 seats available in each cohort. The lottery process is designed to ensure a geographic representation of students from throughout the District.
Students who are already zoned for Frisco High School will be automatically accepted in the lottery process; however, the number of FHS-zoned students will not decrease the number of students accepted into the program from the other district attendance zones.
Students who are not initially selected will be placed on a waitlist. The lottery process will continue until all available seats are filled. Parents will receive a notification email if a spot becomes available.
Admissions After Ninth Grade
Students not selected in the lottery may be admitted at the beginning of their 10th grade year. Admissions decisions at that time are based on seats available and scheduling issues. If interested in admissions, please contact IB Coordinator Jenna Gates.
New to District students can seek admission to the IB Programme on a first come first serve basis once they are enrolled by contacting IB Coordinator Jenna Gates.
UIL Implications/Guidelines
Admitted IBDP students will be full-time students at Frisco High School for the duration of their high school career and are eligible to participate in all extracurricular, athletics and fine arts activities.
All UIL (including Music and Academics) except Athletics
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A student entering the IBDP at Frisco High School will be eligible immediately to participate in all UIL activities excluding varsity athletics.
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If a student withdraws from IBDP and returns to their home campus, they will not lose eligibility for UIL activities except athletics. Although UIL eligibility is retained, qualification in activities is not guaranteed to follow the student to the home campus
Varsity Athletics
A student who applies for admission at the first opportunity is admitted into the IB program, and transfers to Frisco High School at the first opportunity will retain their eligibility for varsity UIL competition and may participate immediately. First opportunity includes:
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Returning FISD students who have submitted an admission form in their eighth grade year and transferred to Frisco High School immediately following admission into the program.
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New FISD students who are admitted into the program prior to establishing residency at another FISD high school.
A student whose parents live in Frisco ISD and did not choose to apply for admission in the IB program at their first opportunity, and enters the program at a later time, is ineligible for varsity athletic competition until they have been enrolled in and regularly attending Frisco High School for at least the previous calendar year.
If a student withdraws from the IB program and returns to their home campus, they will be ineligible for varsity athletic competition until they have been enrolled in and regularly attending their home campus for at least the previous calendar year.
A student who withdraws from the IB program at the end of the first semester of their junior year and chooses to stay at Frisco High School will retain UIL eligibility for varsity athletics.
Exiting the Programme
Students may opt out of the IBDP before starting school in August and return to their home campus. Once the school year begins, however, students may only opt out of the IBDP at the end of the first six weeks of school or at the end of a semester.
Exiting the IB Diploma Programme requires parents to contact the IB Coordinator Jenna Gates.
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If a student opts out in ninth or 10th grade, they will return to their home campus if they are not zoned for Frisco HS. Based on class availability, students who opt out may not receive their preferred schedule. Campus administration has final approval on all schedule changes.
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Students may request to exit the IB Diploma Programme at the end of each semester of their 11th and 12th grade years. Students who exit in the 11th and 12th grade years may request to remain at Frisco High School through the campus transfer process.
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Students who return to their home campus may have UIL eligibility implications and are not guaranteed the same placement or level of activities (Varsity, JV, etc.) there. Upon the student's return, the home campus will determine the student's placement or level in activities such as fine arts and athletics.
Frequently Asked Questions