If all goes as planned, Ballston Spa High School will be an International Baccalaureate school in Fall 2012, a feat that could make it the first school district in the Suburban Council to offer IB courses.
I think it’s very prestigious, easily recognized throughout the United States and internationally as well and I thought it would probably be a good fit for our students, said high school principal Kris Jensen. `It’s a very rigorous program.`
Last fall, the IB accepted the high school’s initial application, making it a candidate school. This year, the school submitted its second application and awaits an authorization visit from IB representatives sometime in the fall.
`We look forward to showcasing the way our students demonstrate the IB Learner Profile and how the characteristics of an IB Diploma Candidate align very well with Ballston Spa’s graduation competencies and the skills of a 21st century learner,` said Laura Schmitz, IB coordinator designate.
IB students are `risk takers` and would take more inquiry based classes, said Jensen.
`Advanced Placement courses as they stand, it’s very set curriculum and doesn’t give students the opportunity to investigate more thoroughly things that might interest them,` said Jensen. `IB has more breadth and depth.`
Classes unique to IB students would be very similar to the types of classes they’d be taking anyway, but more intense because of the theory of knowledge component specific to IB.
`It’s a more holistic approach for the student. It ties it together more,` said Jensen. `Instead of taking the class in isolation here and there, this is about it being a whole program for them.`
Most IB programs span two years (11th and 12th grade).
To obtain a typical IB Diploma, students take on class from each subject group for a total of six: English, world language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, arts. In addition to those courses, students complete the IB DP Core; a theory of knowledge course; extended essay; Creativity, Action and Service.
Teachers from the high school have been going to training and worked to familiarize themselves with the curriculum, said Jensen. The school also held information sessions with students and parents.
`It’s been incredibly well received. Parents are enthusiastic about it as are the students,` said Jensen.
The IB program began in Europe in 1968 and the first programs weren’t offered in the U.S. until the early ’70s. Currently, there are 717 IB schools in the U.S. and 45 in New York State.
According to information from Schmitz, there are several aspects of the IB program that would set it apart from the AP classes already offered at the high school.
The IB program is recognized internationally and has the option of individual courses or a full program, whereas AP is recognized nationally and only offers individual courses.
AP scores are based on one exam at the end of the course, but IB scores are based on multiple assessments over time. The IB program is process-driven and AP classes are content-driven.
If approved as an IB school, there will be an IB coordinator with teaching responsibilities who also oversees the program administratively.
More information about the IB program can be found by going to www.bscsd.org and clicking on the `Ballston Spa High School` tab on the right.
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