Should I join IB (current sophomore)

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I want to join the IB diploma program but there are a few issues.

I still have need 1 PE Credit after this year and 1fine arts credit (business, arts, music, etc class) to graduate plus US History because I am already taking the required gov class.
If I join IB my junior year I’ll still have to take 6 subjects + TOK 2nd SEM and I’m afraid if I fill my schedule to knock out grad requirements I’ll be too stressed, plus my school requires 150 CAS hours over two years. The US history requirement is also an issue, I need that to graduate and IB kids usually have taken MYP Government freshman year and MYP American history sophomore year so they don’t need those gov and history crees anymore. I’ll have to take 6 subjects for IB + TOK + get my PE and fine arts credit and also my US history credit in addition to the social studies IB course. AND I’ll be taking SATs and ACTs in my junior year so I’ll definitely die for sure!!

Perhaps I shouldn’t join IB? I was also thinking about adding fine arts (most are 0.5 semester credit courses) classes to my second semester classes to reduce the amount of credits needed junior and senior year. this year as at the moment I’m taking 6 out of the 8 maximum possible classes with two free periods.

IB is something I want to do but I want to make a careful decision, what should I do/ what are other factors I should consider first prior to making a decision?

2

Can you take IB classes without aiming for the diploma? The IB diploma seems unfeasible esp since it definitely means giving up ECs and all

3

Talk to your guidance counselor about if there is a way to fit everything in.
For CAS: the C in CAS is creativity…is there other ways to take fine arts that satisfies CAS but maybe is outside school?
the A is for activity: how can you get a PE credit and activity hours? once again can you join a team/take a class that satisfies both?
Can you take US History over the summer?