(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Cassingham
Elementary and Bexley Middle School, appeared in The Columbus
Dispatch on August 10, 2007)
Two
schools added to elite program
By Charlie Boss
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Two Bexley schools have been designated International Baccalaureate
schools, making them the first elementary and middle schools in Ohio
to become official members of the rigorous academic program,
officials said yesterday.
Cassingham Elementary and Bexley Middle School were notified by the
International Baccalaureate organization last week.
"We were confident that we would be authorized, but it was great to
get the official letter," Cassingham Principal Barb Heisel said in a
statement.
International Baccalaureate emphasizes foreign-language development
and international awareness and encourages students to become
self-motivated learners. The curriculum, used in more than 2,000
schools worldwide, is designed by an organization based in Geneva,
Switzerland.
During the application process, Cassingham and Bexley Middle have
been weaving in components of the IB program, such as relating
school subjects to the community and world and applying practical
and social intelligence to real life.
Cassingham, which started its plans to become an IB world school in
2003, has overhauled its curriculum and added a foreign-language
program for grades one through four. IB's primary-years program
requires that students begin learning a language by age 7.
The middle school started its plans in 2005. For the past two school
years, the school has required students to work on a personal
project and take Spanish, French or Latin. IB middle schools are
required to offer foreign language, art, physical education and
technology courses as well as English, math, science and social
studies. Students also have to do community service; seventh- and
eighth-graders at Bexley spend one day each quarter volunteering.
IB offers three programs: one for primary years, ages 3 to 12; one
for middle years, ages 11 to 16; and its diploma program for
high-school juniors and seniors.
Three Franklin County high schools offer the diploma program:
Columbus Alternative, Upper Arlington and Westerville South. Bexley
High School has not pursued an IB program.
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