Pre-IB
About
Robinson Middle School has been the site for the Pre-International Baccalaureate Program since November 1994. The PIB program is a rigorous academic program of study that emphasizes the relationship of the student with the community and the world. It is designed for intrinsically motivated students who prefer a more demanding curriculum including foreign language, in-depth research, and advanced math, science, social studies, and language arts.
Benefits
- Involvement in a focused educational environment with a global emphasis.
- Commitment to human welfare through community service.
- Emphasis on the development of study skills — learning how to learn.
- Focus on development of effective oral and written communication skills.
- High expectations of students and their academic achievement.
- Availability of extracurricular activities at Robinson Middle School.
- Exposure to humanities and the arts for a well-rounded student.
GPA
Students will maintain the required grade point averages: 2.7 for sixth grade, 2.75 for seventh grade, and 3.00 for eighth grade.
Community Service
Students give back to the community as they develop a deeper appreciation for society and a better understanding of their roles in society. Per year requirements begin at 15 hours in sixth grade and increase to 20 hours in seventh grade, then 25 hours in eighth grade.
Personal Project
Students focus their activities on an annual project that develops research skills and individual expression. Each year, personal project expectations are expanded.
THE SUBJECT AREAS:
All classes cover district-mandated curriculum, while increasing the rigor of the material and emphasizing reading and math applications.
- Foreign Language: All students take Spanish 1A (6th Grade); Spanish 1B (7th Grade); Spanish 2 (8th Grade). This should prepare the student to be placed in either Spanish 2 or Spanish 3 in high school, depending on the student's proficiency level and the high school program they attend.
- Language Arts: literature, grammar, vocabulary, the writing process, oral language, and research
- Mathematics: Math 6 Plus; Math 7 Plus; Algebra 1; Geometry
- Sciences: Earth, Space, Physical, and Life Science
- Social Studies: Ancient Civilization (6th Grade); Geography and Kansas History (7th Grade); US History (8th Grade).
- Exploratory Subjects: Art and Design; AVID; Band; Orchestra; Physical Education; Technology; and Vocal Music
Extracurricular Activities
After School Program (ASP); Athletics (7th and 8th Grade: Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Volleyball); Battle of the Books; Circle of Friends; Girls’ Choir; Intramurals; Jazz Band; Math Counts; Robinson Academic League; Science Olympiad; Student Council
*Not affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Please note: Students in the Robinson program who are interested in the East High IB Program will need to apply during their 8th grade year for that program.
Application
PIB Application
Applications will be available on Monday, October 7, 2024 and are due on Friday, January 31, 2025. It is your responsibility, as a Pre-IB applicant, to follow-up with your teachers and school office to ensure all requested information has been submitted. An incomplete application packet may result in the student not being eligible for selection into the Pre-IB program. If you have questions or would like to check the status of your application, please email robinsonpib@usd259.net.
All Applicants: Form 1 | All Applicants: Form 2 | Teacher Evaluation: Form 3 |
ALL Applicants
- Form 1: Application, Testing Sign Up and Pre-IB Program Agreement Form 1 LINK
- Form 2: Student Evaluation (completed and submitted by applicant) Form 2 LINK
- Form 3: Teacher Evaluation #1: Contact a current math and/or language arts teacher and ask if they would complete a teacher evaluation. (completed and submitted by teacher) Form 3 LINK
- Form 3: Teacher Evaluation #2: Contact another core teacher (not a specials/exploratory teacher) who has had the student within the past two years and ask if they would complete a teacher evaluation (completed and submitted by teacher) Form 3 LINK
- Testing: All Pre-IB candidates are required to participate in an assessment session at Robinson Middle School. In order for us to better prepare, you MUST pre-register on Form 1. Registration for each testing day will close at 3:00 p.m. the day before the testing session. A limited number of walk-in testing slots will be available. This will help us better accommodate our numbers for social distancing. Arrive 20 minutes early. If you are late, you will not be allowed to test. No testing make-up days will be scheduled. More information about testing will be posted as we get closer to the testing dates. If you need to change your testing time, please email robinsonpib@usd259.net.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9:00-11:30am
- or Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 1:00-3:30pm
- or Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:00-11:30am
- or Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 1:00-3:30pm
NON USD259 Applicants
- Form 4: Students applying from outside of USD 259 must have the following sent from the office at the student’s current school. These documents should be emailed to robinsonpib@usd259.net, but please DO NOT send these items until after 1st Semester.
- A copy of the student’s grade report cards for the past three years
- State Assessment Results
- Any other screeners administered
OPTIONAL
-
Showcase of Choices and Opportunities: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
-
Informational Student/Parent Meeting: Thursday, January 23, 2025
- Tours: (*Sign Up will be available in November) Parents, with or without their students, may tour the building with a PIB student on the dates below. Please park on Bleckley Street (one way to the south) and report to main entrance (Door 1), and we will have a student give you a tour. Your first stop will be the office for a visitor badge. You only need one ticket per family. Thank you!
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 8:30-10:00 am
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 8:30-10:00 am
LETTERS
-
By February 21, 2025, the school will mail letters to all 6th grade applicants notifying them whether or not they have been accepted. The number of 7th and 8th grade openings will not be determined until the end of the school year; therefore, these applicants may not be notified until school is out.
Questions? Please email robinsonpib@usd259.net..
Printable Check List | Spanish Printable Check List | Vietnamese Printable Checklist |
*The Pre-International Baccalaureate Program is not affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the PIB program at Robinson Middle School?
- How do you get accepted into the PIB program?
- Why is the PIB a better program than what is offered at other middle schools?
- What is covered on the assessments?
- What if I can’t make it on the assessment dates?
- How many students attend Robinson? How many are in the PIB?
- How many students apply for the PIB program?
- What requirements are there in the PIB?
- What happens to students who do not meet the requirements?
- Is transportation provided?
- Is there a difference between gifted and PIB?
- If my son/daughter takes the test for PIB, when will I know if he/she has been accepted?
- If my child is not accepted into the PIB program, can he/she go to another magnet middle school?
- What if my child is in 6th or 7th grade this year? Can he/she still apply for the PIB program?
What is the PIB program at Robinson Middle School?
The PIB program is a rigorous academic program of study that emphasizes the relationship of the student with the community and the world. It is designed for intrinsically motivated students who prefer a more demanding curriculum including foreign language, in-depth research, and advanced math, science, social studies and language arts.
How do you get accepted into the PIB program?
Applications are available at Robinson or on the website. Complete the application and return to Robinson. The student comes to Robinson on one of two Saturdays to complete math, reading, and writing tests. The selection process includes the results of these tests, elementary test results, and teacher recommendations. Letters are mailed to everyone who applies by the end of March.
Why is the PIB a better program than what is offered at other middle schools?
What is covered on the assessments?
There is a 40 minute math assessment that covers basic math facts and pre-algebra skills, and a math diagnostic assessment. The students also will have 30 minutes to write an essay from a prompt, which is rated using the ARG 6-trait rubric. Students will take a 40 minute reading assessment with multiple choice questions.
What if I can’t make it on the assessment dates?
We schedule only three assessment dates on two consecutive Saturdays, two in the morning and one in the afternoon. With proper planning we hope your schedules will allow time for you to complete the assessments. No one will be allowed to take the test if they are late, and no make-up dates will be scheduled.
How many students attend Robinson? How many are in the PIB?
How many students apply for the PIB program?
What requirements are there in the PIB?
The PIB students must participate in a personal research project all three years. They also are required to complete community service. The curriculum requires them to take three years of foreign language and maintain a GPA of 2.7 in 6th grade, 2.75 in 7th grade, and 3.0 in 8th grade. The PIB students, just like the other Robinson students, must follow all school rules and procedures.
What happens to students who do not meet the requirements?
Is transportation provided?
Is there a difference between gifted and PIB?
Yes, they are not the same. You do not have to be gifted to be accepted into PIB; the reverse is also true. Teachers provide gifted services to gifted students, based on their IEP’s. If a student is gifted and in PIB, he/she will take their language arts and math classes with other gifted students with a teacher certified in gifted education.
If my son/daughter takes the test for PIB, when will I know if he/she has been accepted?
If my child is not accepted into the PIB program, can he/she go to another magnet middle school?
Yes, you can apply through the magnet office for other magnet school options and apply for the Robinson PIB program. Robinson notifies the magnet office before the deadline for the other magnet schools so if your student is not accepted into the PIB, he/she can still have the option available for other magnet middle schools.
What if my child is in 6th or 7th grade this year? Can he/she still apply for the PIB program?
*Not affiliated with International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Please note: Students in the Robinson program who are interested in the East High IB Program will need to apply during their 8th grade year for that program.
Community Service
Community Service Submission 2024 2025
Community Service Requirements
The following items outline the program and answer many common questions about community service. If you have any further questions, please contact one of the Pre-IB Team members at 973-8600.
- Each student must complete the following community service hours throughout the school year:
6th Grade 15 Hours |
7th Grade 20 Hours |
8th Grade 25 Hours |
Only activities done during the student’s free time will count towards the requirement. This means work done at school must be completed before school, during lunch, or after school.
- All community service hours must be completed by the first Friday in May. To keep on track to meet the total requirement, students must complete the first half by the first Friday in December:
6th Grade 10 Hours |
7th Grade 10 Hours |
8th Grade 12.5 Hours |
- Any activity that benefits the community without the student gaining directly from the activity could be used to meet the community service requirement. This means a student cannot be paid or otherwise rewarded for activities they plan to use to fulfill the community service requirement. Some services that do not meet the requirement are odd jobs, babysitting for relatives or family friends, or being an acolyte during church services. Each activity must have an adult supervisor.
- Students will submit their activities at link above. These timesheets will describe the activity, when it was completed, the number of hours served, and a brief personal reflection. Students will upload a picture of the adult supervisor’s signature. Please also keep track of your hours on your personal record sheet so you know how many hours have been served.
- Volunteer timesheets should be completed and turned in during the semester the hours are earned. Summer hours must be turned in during the first semester.
- Students may do the same type of activity more than once; however, no more than ten hours can be counted for one type of activity. This means each student must have at least two different types of service experience. If you do more than ten hours for one activity, please turn all hours in for credit. Awards will be given at the end of the year based on total community service hours.
- Students may earn up to a maximum of five community service hours for participating or supporting the Robinson Community through organized activities. You can earn one hour for each Robinson event you attend. No matter how long the event, it counts for one hour. Practice does not qualify for community service. Any event happening during the school day does not qualify for community service. If attendance is required for a class, it does not qualify for community service. You must still document on the community service sheet with a signature and a reflection.
- For 7th and 8th Grade: Of the total hours, at least ten must be in an area designated as stretching. Stretching activities are those that go beyond the student’s usual realm of experience. If an organization, place, or community service activity is new to a student, and provides a learning experience for her/him, then it is a stretching activity. Thus, serving dinner at a homeless shelter would be stretching, while mowing an elderly neighbor’s lawn would not. If in doubt, ask beforehand if the activity is considered stretching.
Newsletter
Program Agreement
PIB Program Agreement
The Pre-IB Program is a comprehensive program with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum designed for the academically-focused student. For a student to be successful, it is imperative that he/she be a consistent, dedicated learner. Therefore, the Pre-IB staff requires the agreement to the following commitments:
Academics:
- I will actively participate in class daily by being prepared, listening effectively, offering relevant comments, and taking notes. In short, I agree to meet the expectations set forth for each course.
- I will work seriously to improve my academic and organizational skills.
- I will submit quality work in a timely fashion, including sending work to school if I have an "excused absence". This includes accepting responsibility for getting work in on time, completing tasks, and completing make-up work on time.
- I will demonstrate the highest degree of academic integrity. I understand that direct or indirect cheating (plagiarism) can be grounds for immediate removal from the program. See Academic Honesty section below.
- I will maintain the required grade point averages: 6th grade: 2.7; 7th grade: 2.75; 8th grade: 3.0.
Attendance:
- I will schedule medical appointments outside the school day when possible and trips for recreation during school holidays, recognizing that daily attendance is crucial to success.
Behavior:
- I will follow all rules of Robinson Middle School as outlined in the student handbook. I will demonstrate the highest degree of appropriate behavior.
- After 1 Suspension (In or Out of School), student will be placed on a behavior probation contract.
- After 2 Suspensions (In or Out of School), student may be dismissed from the program and return to base school.
- Extreme behavior could result in immediate dismissal from the program and return to base school.
Community Service:
- I will fulfill all community service requirements: 6th grade: 15 Hours; 7th grade: 20 Hours; 8th grade: 25 hours (To be completed by the first Friday in December: 6th grade: 10 Hours; 7th grade: 10 Hours; 8th grade: 13 hours. Failure to complete the required hours by the first Friday of December will result in failing consortium class).
I understand that continuance in the Pre-IB Program will be determined by my progress, attitude, behavior, and motivation. I understand that if I fail to meet the standards of the Pre-IB Program, either because of the quality of my work or because of my failure to perform as a serious learner, I will be withdrawn from the Pre-IB Program, and I will return to my base school.