To:

Members, Board of Education

From:

Maurice O. Green, Superintendent
Beth Folger, Chief Curriculum and Organizational Development Officer

Date:

October 24, 2008

RE:

Prospective International Baccalaureate Applications for Northwood Elementary, Ferndale Middle and Hairston Middle

Prospective International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) schools Northwood Elementary, Otis L Hairston Sr. Middle, and Ferndale Middle School have completed key planning stages required by the IBO as candidate schools. Since receiving the federal Magnet School Assistance Program funds, all three schools obtained appropriate IBO publications for their schools, examined their school’s philosophy and curriculum, and conducted a feasibility study on possible outcomes. Also, to date all schools have completed the first stage of their faculty undertaking of IBO-approved training.

With the start of the 2008-09 school year, Northwood Elementary, Otis L Hairston Sr. Middle, and Ferndale Middle School shifted their curriculum focus to address the five IBO areas of interaction that include approaches to learning, community and service, homo faber (the processes and products of human creativity), the environment (our interdependence), and health and social education. Through the school’s curriculum in eight subject groups including languages, humanities, arts, technology, mathematics, sciences, and physical education, the five areas of interaction are addressed by the faculty and students in a variety of ways.

Each school is now ready to enter the Application Stage to be considered an IBO authorized world school. In order to apply to become an IBO authorized world school, each school must submit “Application A” with local board of education and superintendent authorization. After receiving Application A, IBO considers whether to conduct site visits to verify that the school has met the criteria established to become an IBO world school. 

The application fee to IBO for each school is $4,300, funding of which was approved as a part of the MSAP grant.  A sample application form is attached for your review.

RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends that the board support and grant approval for Northwood Elementary, Otis L. Hairston Sr. Middle and Ferndale Middle Schools to submit “Application A” to the International Baccalaureate Organization.  

Attachment - Sample Application