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SAISD’s list of IB World Schools grows by three
05/26/2021

IB-WebMany students and parents are excited for the return of in-person, on-campus learning in the fall. Adding to the excitement is San Antonio ISD’s accomplishment of earning designations for three new International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools. Over the past six months, Huppertz and Woodlawn Hills elementary schools and Fenwick Academy have been authorized as IB World Schools, a multi-year process.   

 

“SAISD is committed to a world class education, and the increase in IB school designations at the PYP, MYP and DP levels is proof that we are moving in that direction,” said Daniel Girard, assistant superintendent of SAISD’s IB programmes. “When a student participates in any IB programme they are part of a global family where students are challenged to grow both academically and personally, with a focus on developing critical thinking skills, social responsibility, and personal agency.” 

 

With these new authorizations, SAISD now has nine designated IB World Schools - Burbank and Jefferson high schools, Harris and Longfellow middle schools, Woodlawn and Fenwick academies, and Briscoe, Huppertz and Woodlawn Hills elementary schools. Next year, Fenwick is expected to receive an additional authorization for the Middle Years Programme, bringing to fruition SAISD’s long-term vision for its IB framework. 

 

With SAISD offering IB education offerings starting in elementary school, students can begin the programme when they first enter school and follow it all the way through their senior year. 

 

“The unique thing I learned in the IB programme is you really take into account being open-minded, being principled, being productive. You really get those skills to reflect on yourself and reflect on the actions of others,” said Nezmari Cuellar, Jefferson High School IB student. “I want to be challenged in life and academically and that is something the IB programme offers.” 

 

The IB programme is an internationally respected college-prep curriculum that aims to help students develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn, and work in a global world.  

 

“The goal of the IB programme is to make sure we are addressing the evolution of the whole child,” said Penny Tschirhart, assistant director of IB at SAISD. “We are concerned about academic improvement, and we are also concerned about their personal improvement - their personal growth and development.” 

 

 An IB education is acclaimed because of its rigorous academic and personal standards. It challenges students to excel not only in their studies but also in their personal growth. The IB concept emphasizes learning how to learn, encouraging students to value learning as an essential and integral part of their everyday lives. 

 

“We truly want to engage students in becoming active, compassionate, lifelong learners,” said Tschirhart.  

 

SAISD hosts the largest number of IB and IB-candidate schools throughout Bexar County. SAISD’s nine IB campuses enabled the District to provide this rigorous opportunity to approximately 6,000 IB students in the 2020-2021 school year. 

 

Becoming certified as an IB World School is no small task, as schools must first be approved as a candidate school by the International Baccalaureate organization. The authorization process typically takes between two and three years to complete, and schools work with an IB consultant to implement the IB programme. 

 

Learn more and apply now to International Baccalaureate at SAISD! 

 

¡Obtenga más información y solicite ahora el Bachillerato Internacional en SAISD!

 


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