Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate Diploma School beginning in the 2010-2011 academic year. This commitment fulfills the school’s mission to provide all students with a classical liberal arts education.

As part of this process we will begin offering IB level courses in history, physics, Environmental Systems and Societies, math, English, Spanish, Latin, the visual arts, and music to qualifying members of our Junior class over the 2010-2011 academic year. These courses will incorporate the rigorous international academic standards developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization over the past 40 years.

The IB experience is about more than just academics. Students taking the full Diploma Programme will be expected to participate in Community Service projects (CAS) and Socratic Seminars (Theories of Knowledge-TOK) with the aim of building the student’s character and ability to think independently.

While students are encouraged to participate in athletics and/or other extracurricular activities, they are also strongly advised to set realistic limits on employment and other extra-curricular activities while enrolled in the Programme. The student’s primary commitment must be to her/his fulfillment of the Programme requirements.

The ib learner profile

The International Baccalaureate Organization has developed a learner profile that describes IB students as life long learners who are:

 Inquirers— They develop their natural curiosity. Knowledgeable— They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. Thinkers— They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. Communicators— They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. Principled— They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. Open-minded— They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience. Caring— They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. Risk-takers— They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs. Balanced— They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others. Reflective— They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.( *taken from the IB Leaner Profile, c. IBO )

ASSESSMENT

Students who participate in the Programme will be expected to complete IB Assessments in their subject areas. These are done, for the most part, over the course of autumn and winter of the senior year and consist of Internal Assessments, which are of a combination of written and oral presentations; more formal, timed, External Assessments are held during May of the Senior Year. All students will complete an “Extended Essay” which will be due during the fall of the Senior Year. This a college level research paper of approximately 4,000 words on a topic chosen by the student. The aims of the Extended Essay are “to provide students with the opportunity to: pursue independent research on a focused topic, develop research and communication skills, develop the skills of creative and critical thinking, engage in a systematic process of research appropriate to the subject·, and experience the excitement of intellectual discovery."

 The student must complete all of the above requirements (completion of subject Internal and External Assessments, the Extended Essay, ToK Essay, and CAS requirements for full Diploma Students; individual subject requirements for students taking one or two courses) to receive an IB Diploma and/or full credit for participation in the project.

For more information about this program please contact:

John Daly, IB Coordinator

jdaly@akfcs.org