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Ingraham High School has been authorized to add the rigorous
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to its curriculum in
September 2003, giving students a distinct advantage in the college
preparatory arena. After a two-year application process, the
Geneva-based International Baccalaureate Organization notified
Ingraham that the school has been approved to offer students the
prestigious program, which allows candidates to earn a world-class
education and an internationally recognized diploma.
The comprehensive two-year curriculum, offered to juniors and
seniors, enhances traditional educational programs by teaching
students to become well-rounded scholars with a global perspective.
A core part of the program is an interdisciplinary requirement
called theory of knowledge that is intended to stimulate critical
reflection on information and experience gained both in and out of
the classroom. Students are required to write a 4,000 word essay,
akin to a mini-thesis, and must incorporate creativity, action and
service into six study areas: world literature; foreign language;
individuals and societies; experimental sciences; mathematics; and
arts and electives.
After sending a site team to Ingraham, the IB organization
commended the school for its focus on raising academic standards
through more rigorous courses and on its atmosphere of camaraderie
and appreciation of cultural diversity. It also noted the passion
and enthusiasm of IB course teachers.
Ingraham currently offers pre-International Baccalaureate
classes for ninth and tenth graders and is the first Seattle Public
School to be approved for the program. The pre-IB classes started
in the 2000-2001 school year. Approximately 60 freshman and 30
sophomores are enrolled in the pre-IB program for the 2002-2003
academic year. Those students will move up to the Diploma program
-- which officially begins in September 2003 and for which some
colleges offer course credit -- as juniors and seniors. For more
information about Ingraham High School go online to
www.seattleschools.org/schools/ingraham/.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma program began in 1968
and now has 1,329 authorized IB world schools in 110 countries. For
more information about the International Baccalaureate Organization
go online to www.ibo.org.
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