Attention all students who are interested in becoming both culturally and academically advanced: FTHS is introducing the thought- provoking International Baccalaureate (IB) program to the curriculum beginning in 2015!

“The program will most certainly be beneficial to students who choose to partake in it,” says Cheryl Lanza, an English teacher and a newly appointed IB teacher. “…It encourages students to push themselves to be better scholars and better people and to recognize that the lenses through which they view the world are contingent upon many factors. It allows students to see themselves as a part of a greater whole and as a part of an international community of like-minded people.”

The IB program, which encourages cultural respect and the understanding of both international and modern ways of the world, was founded in 1968. Since then, the meticulous non-profit education organization has employed over 70,000 teachers and has found its home in more than 3,900 schools worldwide.

“It is an internationally recognized program of study that is rigorous in nature,” states Lanza. “It requires an open-minded student who is willing to understand the processes by which his or her learning takes place.”

By introducing stimulating and academically challenging courses that will both expand students’ minds as well as prepare them for a college degree, the IB program completes its goal of establishing a well thought out, philosophically advanced curriculum.

“For people who have not heard of it, it is almost like taking all AP courses for two years (junior and senior) in every subject. The main difference is that all the courses connect to one another, so that history/science/ language/ math, etc., are all related,” says Lanza.

Although this may sound challenging, the IB program tries its best to tie the subjects together in an effective and engaging way. Courses such as Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) help students discover their true path of learning through community service opportunities and extended essays. The students are also graded in a more professional manner.

“While some of the assignments are graded internally, a majority are sent out to be graded by an IB panel,” states Lanza. “The coursework could be graded from anywhere in the world.”

In addition to the students’ goals and responsibilities, the teachers involved in the IB program must meet certain expectations as well. Being an IB teacher comes with several prompt deadlines that must be met on time, and requires each teacher to submit essays and portfolios in order to properly track their students’ progress. Lanza does not mind this though; in fact, she welcomes the challenge.

“The IB teachers see this as more of an opportunity for success than as any sort of hindrance, and we are excited to begin the program!”

The IB program is an amazing culturally beneficial program that will certainly make the curriculum at FTHS more advanced and diverse.

Check out http://www.ibo.org/ for more information on the program.