International Baccalaureate program at CPHS continues to set students up for success
(05/17/19) After 12 years, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme at Champlin Park High School (CPHS) is still going strong, and students continue to take advantage of the program to set themselves up for success beyond high school.
The IB program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.
Students enrolled in the program will experience a strong focus on skills that encourage them to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners through Approaches to Teaching and Learning (ATL). ATL helps students to learn skills in reflection, communication, self management, research, and social skills necessary to be successful.
“Not only are we teaching the content, we are teaching them skills they need to be successful in life,” said Ashley Brown, diploma program coordinator of the IB program at CPHS. “I think that is a big difference between the IB program and other programs available to students. In the IB program, we like to build our students up from where they are at and are available for any student that wants to give the program a try.”
The IB program at CPHS now offers two pathways for students, the diploma and career programs. In the diploma program, students learn independent and collaborative study methods as well as dynamic discussion and critical thinking skills. Writing and research skills are also be developed through this program.
CPHS is in the process of adding the IB career program, which is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the medical or education fields. Students can choose from five courses of study from the medical pathway such as, certified nursing assistant, emergency medical responder, pharmacy technician and sports management. The education pathway consists of K-12 education postsecondary education, corporate trainer or coaching.
As the entire IB program continues to grow, there are currently 35 students who are registered for the career program in 2019-20.
In 2019, 16 seniors at CPHS will complete the full requirements for an IB diploma. During this school year, 375 students took 706 exams over a three-week period in May. Of those students, 63 achieved certificate scholar status, which means they took tests in three or more IB courses.
The 16 seniors who will graduate with an IB diploma took all six courses and two trimesters of Theory of Knowledge, which is designed to help integrate a student’s learning experience. These students were also required to write an extended essay and participate in CAS which stands for Creativity, Action, and Service. In CAS, students participate in various artistic, athletic, and community service pursuits throughout their time as a diploma candidate.
For CAS projects, students have come up with events or campaigns at the school to bring awareness to campaigns such as autism awareness week or drives to support the community like coin, book or clothing drives. Students pick a campaign, organize the event and see it through to completion.
The IB classes are preparing students for college courses, but in the bigger picture, the service opportunities and other requirements are helping set students up to succeed.
“It is definitely opening doors for students,” Brown said. “We are seeing students have more opportunities at very competitive schools such as Harvard, Yale or Stanford. It is setting them apart from other students and helping them with the admission process. They are also able to make themselves standout in their essays because of the experience they had in the IB program.”
Visit the CPHS website for more information on the IB program.