Park Becomes an IB World School
December 20, 2009 • written by Frannie Sprouls
On Tuesday, December 15, it was announced that Park High School was now an official International Baccalaureate World School. For two years, students have heard of this program that is going to be replacing the AP classes here at Park. Now it has finally happened.
So, what exactly is an International Baccalaureate (IB for short) world school mean? The intention for IB schools is that “teachers, students and parents will be able to draw confidently on a recognizable common educational framework, a consistent structure of aims and values and an overarching concept of how to develop international-mindedness”, according to the International Baccalaureate Organization. Basically, the goal is to help students grow into lifelong learners and internationally minded people. IBO says that “IB learners strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.”
In the IB world, there are three programmes: Primary Years Programme (ages 3-12), Middle Years Programme (ages 11-16), and the Diploma Programme (ages 16-19). Park falls into the last programme. The DP lasts for two years, so students at Park would begin taking the classes beginning in the eleventh grade. There are six groups that DP students focus on: language A1 (the student’s native language), a second language, individuals and societies (i.e. history), experimental sciences (i.e. physics, chemistry), mathematics and computer science, and the arts. It is a rigorous curriculum, especially with the extended essay assessment, to go through to get an IB diploma. But IB has its benefits.
For students, it really prepares them for college. They’ll be able to research and evaluate sources of information, organize and prioritize, have knowledge of another language and culture, and they are aware of the principles of academic honesty. Being a student that is in the Diploma Programme, it puts them one step ahead of other students who do not take the courses by increasing their chances at admission.
As for teachers, the IB program can seem a little overwhelming. But as IB teachers, they become a part of the global community, become better teachers, and are able to take advantages from multiple opportunities within the IBO.
So as Park transitions from a 4×4 block schedule to a 3×6 schedule, they also will become the IB World school. By taking the IB courses and maybe even getting the diploma, Park students will be one step ahead of the others, such as Woodbury or East Ridge students. Park students should be proud of their school if they aren’t already.
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Tagged: Frannie Sprouls, IB, IB World School, Park Becomes an IB World School
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