The rigor of the IB program can lead to complications in the schedules of active athletes. In some cases, the tight scheduling limits their ability to pursue both rigorous academics and involved athletics. More specifically, the Theory of Knowledge course required in order to obtain the IB diploma often conflicts with school sport schedules.
“I think [the coaches] are pretty understanding about it all,” track athlete and senior Patrick Lynch said. “I know [coach General] focuses his athletes on school first, so he’ll tell someone what the workout is before they go to TOK so they can do it by themselves after.”
An alternative to taking TOK after school is to take it as an elective during the school day, but for track athlete and sophomore Annabelle Lee and students like her, this is not an option. Lee is also enrolled in the band program, so her schedule is already full.
Lee said that, as a prospective IB diploma candidate, one of the most appealing aspects of track was the program’s ability to accommodate students in similar positions to herself.
“The thing about track is that [the coach] is very understanding, so sometimes he’ll send you the workout if you have TOK after school,” Lee said. “That’s really why I chose track.”
