SchoolMatters Weblog

Schools' IB plans come into focus

2/29/08 * Daily Progress [full story]

School administrators from Fluvanna and Hanover counties as well as Charlottesville met with two members of the Albemarle School Board on Thursday evening to discuss the International Baccalaureate program.

Albemarle school officials are investigating the possibility of bringing the IB program to an undetermined number of county schools. The School Board’s proposed $151.3 million budget for fiscal 2009 includes $200,000 for specialty center planning, including the IB proposal as well as plans for math and science academies at Albemarle High School.

“We have a number of practical questions that we will have to answer related to budget, transportation and fairness to all schools within the division, but I was very excited to hear about the program and the success it can bring to students,” said School Board member Jon Stokes, who attended the IB work session with fellow board member Ron Price.

Albemarle is considering IB programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Schools mulling IB programs

2/25/08 * Daily Progress [full story]

The Albemarle and Charlottesville school divisions are exploring the possibility of establishing International Baccalaureate programs within the next several years.

The Fluvanna school division is already implementing the IB Primary Years Program at its three elementary schools.

IB programs offer rigorous theme-based curriculums with an international perspective and a foreign language component. Many colleges award credit for high school IB courses, similar to advanced placement classes.

According to the IB Web site, there are more than 599,000 IB students at 2,226 schools in 125 countries