|
|
|
|
In 1992, Independence High School became one of the first two public
high schools in North Carolina to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate Office
(IBO) in Geneva, Switzerland, to prepare students for the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma. The International Baccalaureate Program at Independence High School began
as Pre-IB for 9th and 10th graders in the 1992-93 school year and graduated its first
class of IB students in June of 1995. The IB is for grades 11 and 12 and is unique
in that it provides a liberal arts, interdisciplinary education leading to a diploma which
is recognized throughout the world. Founded in 1965 to provide a rigorous,
well-rounded education for students throughout the world so they would qualify for
university study no matter where they had pursued their high school education, the
International Baccalaureate Program has a common, broadly-based curriculum which is
assessed by oral and written examinations and papers which are internationally developed
and graded. Students pursue studies in English, foreign language, social studies,
experimental science, and mathematics. Teachers plan and provide interdisciplinary
instruction and assessments whereby students study common processes, themes and materials
withinand across the subject areas. The curriculum is based on the topics and goals
identified by the curriculum board of the International Baccalaureate Office in Cardiff,
Wales. The International Baccalaureate requirements include course work and passing
scores on examinations in six subjects, completion of 150 hours of creativity,action and
service activities, a 4,000 word extended essay and the Theory of Knowledge courses.
In 1996, Independence High School was officially authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to participate in the Middle Years Program in partnership with J.T. Williams Middle School. The Middle Years component at Independence High School (grades 9 and 10) is an accelerated curriculum with special focus on foreign language, English, mathematics, social studies, science and technology. The Middle Years IB is guided by three major themes: global education, communication and intercultural awareness. The special features that make this program unique are student centered learning, interdisciplinary teaching, and areas of interation. The five specific areas within the curriculum model that are essential to the program are as follows: Approaches to learning (study skills and the learning process); Community service (activities inside and outside school); Health and social education (mental and physical health); Environment (interdependence of people and nature); and Homo Faber (the creative genius of people and its impact on society and on the human mind). The Middle Years IB requirements include 30 hours of community service in grades 9 and 30 hours in grade 10, and a personal project to be completed by all tenth grade students. Students who participate in the Middle Years and IB Program fulfill the North Carolina State Department of Education graduation requirements as well as the IB diploma requirements. The NCSDE requirements include proficiency or exemption on the North Carolina State Competency Tests, a semester of physical education (Lifetime Sports and Fitness) and a semester of health (PHI). Students successfully completing the IB program earn an IB diploma and an Independence High School diploma. The program is open to highly motivated ninth and tenth grade students with strong academic backgrounds. Admission to the program is through magnet registration on a space-avaialable basis in accordance with Board policies. Priority is given to siblings and continuing students from IB Middle Schools. Students need not be certified as academically gifted. However, in order to have a reasonable chance of attaining the world recognized diploma, candidated for admission need to have completed the following courses prior to beginning the program. 1.) Rising 9th grade: Algebra I and either French 1,Spanish 1, or German 1. 2.) Rising 10th grade: Algebra 1 and Geometry and either French 2, Spanish 2, or German 2.
|
|
|
