The International Baccalaureate Academy, opening at Thurgood Marshall High School for the 2009-`10 school year, has recently been authorized as an “IB World School.”
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year curriculum designed to meet the needs of highly-motivated secondary students and to promote international understanding. Students who complete the programme may obtain up to 24 college credit hours and a diploma that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.
Authorization to become an IB World School is an intensive process that typically takes two or more years and includes site visits by an IB team, the school district said. The IB Academy at Thurgood Marshall High School was joined by six other prestigious schools that received authorization in January 2009 ― Lamar High School (Arlington, TX), Carroll High School (Washington, D.C.), New College (Swindon, UK), Open Gate Boarding School (Říčany, Czech Republic); Utica Academy for International Studies (Sterling Heights, MI), and The Newman School (Boston, MA).
“IB learners are globally prepared for the 21st Century challenges, and we invite current 10th grade students throughout the district to apply for the IB Diploma Programme,” said Alonzo Reynolds, III, principal at Marshall High School.
The International Baccalaureate program is part of the comprehensive academy program Fort Bend Independent School District is initiating in each of the district’s 10 high schools over the next few years. Academies are personalized, small learning communities that function within a larger high school with a mixture of career and academic classes offered to students.
Enrollment of approximately 400 students is eventually anticipated for each academy. Students attending academies generally take more advanced math courses, more computer and technology courses and more college courses.
Applications for current 10th grade students to be accepted to the IB Academy are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is April 30.
Online application forms and additional information is available at www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/academies.
