International Baccalaureate Program
By Liz Jurkowski
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offered by Douglas County School District is becoming a popular choice for college-bound students. Upon graduation, some IB diploma students begin university as a second-year student, or at least find themselves skipping the general education requirements freshman year.
The IB program was developed in 1969 for European students who had studied in American or international high schools overseas. In order to enter their home countries’ universities, they needed to prove they had passed a comprehensive curriculum that incorporated subjects across six disciplines. It is an academically challenging program of study taught during the last two years of high school.
In Douglas County, Thunder Ridge and Douglas County High Schools offer the IB diploma. Students may open-enroll to join the program from other schools, but “IB testing students must be in attendance at our school [TRHS AND DCHS] to meet the requirements of IB,” explains Dr. Steven Fleet, IB Coordinator at DCHS.
When asked what the advantages of the IB diploma are, Fleet had a long list. “There are college credits, college acceptance, scholarships, core requirements waved … but the most important reason is the confidence that comes from developing the skills that translate to college success. The writing skills and the ability to express one’s self orally are key. It is also important to have a mindset that rises to challenges.”
In addition to the IB Diploma Program, the IB Organization also has curriculum for the elementary and middle school student. The Primary Years Program (PYP) is offered at South Ridge and Rock Ridge Elementary Schools and focuses on the child as an inquirer. The Middle Years Program (MYP) is offered at Ranch View and Mesa Middle Schools and provides a “framework of academic challenge,” according to the DCSD website.
Is the IB program for every student? Fleet responded, “If a student does not want to work hard and does not value curiosity, there will be little benefit from the program. Our MYP program is hoping to spark such interest in more students, but the desire has to be there.” No doubt, it is rigorous and students must commit to difficult but intriguing classes in multiple disciplines. For students hoping for college credit in only one or two subjects, the Advanced Placement (AP) option may be a better choice.
For more information on IB, see www.ibo.org and www.dcsdk12.org/internationalbaccalaureate/index.htm.
