INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME AT WEST HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (3-12-07)) – Bloomfield Hills Schools today becomes the first and only school district in Michigan – public or private -- to offer students a fully-authorized International Baccalaureate program in the middle school and early high school years for grades six through 10. To see the listing of Michigan schools, go to http://www.ibo.org/
The district’s Middle Years Programmes at West Hills Middle School and Andover High School have achieved full authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization following three years of implementation. Meanwhile, the district’s International Academy, in consortium with 11 other Oakland County districts, has offered the IB Diploma Programme to high school students since opening in 1996. Lone Pine Elementary received authorization for the Primary Years Programme serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade in February, also a Michigan first.
“Once again, we are so proud of our students, staff, and parents for successfully undertaking the IB authorization process. The MYP represents the innovation, collaboration, and high standards that have long been associated with our district and community,” said Dr. Steven Gaynor, superintendent of Bloomfield Hills Schools.
The International Baccalaureate Organization is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. Instruction represents worldwide best practices, and fosters a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, critically reflect, develop research skills, and learn how to learn.
“Send us prepared students á la IB….it is the best high school prep curriculum an American school can offer,” said Marilee Jones, director of undergraduate admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The first academic years of the MYP programme in Bloomfield Hills Schools began in 2004-2005. At West Hills Middle School, the MYP offers an approach to teaching and learning that embraces yet transcends the focus on traditional school subjects. While insisting upon thorough study of the various disciplines, the MYP accentuates the interrelatedness of them and so advances a holistic view of learning.
All IB programs emphasize a strong international dimension, study of a broad and balanced range of knowledge, opportunities for in-depth knowledge, learning languages, examination of issues from different perspectives, application of learning, individual and team work, and action or community service. Programs must be reauthorized every five years.
The IB is currently available in 1,888 schools in 124 countries serving 486,000 students. The IB was established in North America in 1977 and is now available in 682 U.S. schools in 45 states. More than 800 U.S. universities recognize the IB Diploma as a mark of academic excellence.
District residents, and non-residents who are interested in the tuition program, can get more information at www.bloomfield.org, or by contacting Edward Bretzlaff, West Hills principal, at 248-341-6100, or Heidi Kattula, Andover principal, at 248-341-5500.
Additional information is available on our web site. Click on IB - MYP or go to www.ibo.org.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 04 August 2008 )
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