For the past two years, students at Churchville-Chili Senior High School have had the option to participate in International Baccalaureate® (IB) – a comprehensive, liberal arts-based program that encourages critical thinking and community involvement and helps young people prepare for life and college. Eleven candidates began the program as juniors in 2014-15, and this past June all 11 graduated with their IB diplomas.
“This is an incredible accomplishment for these students,” said C-C SHS principal William Geraci. “They challenged themselves to meet rigorous international academic standards and every one of them succeeded. We are very proud of them.”
Churchville-Chili IB Diploma Programme graduates include: Nicole Cammilleri, Nicholas DiFlorio, Gabrielle Kolmer, Quyen Nguyen, Andrew Nicchitta, Kathleen Ohman, Melissa Prewasnicak, Emily Sabo, Zachary Vaughn and Leanne Walker.
Students at C-C SHS can choose to enroll in the comprehensive IB Diploma Programme or sign up for individual IB classes. More than 300 students participated in ala carte classes last year, and Geraci would like to see that number grow to include every junior and senior. “Even one IB class can change a kid’s life,” he said. “They walk away thinking differently about the world, more determined, more goal-oriented, more organized.”
“IB is acknowledged worldwide as the best way for students to prepare for college,” said IB psychology teacher Mary Kay Maslanka. “They learn the vital skill of time management, and most importantly, how to analyze and think for themselves, not just regurgitate what they hear or read.”
Churchville-Chili is committed to growing the IB program and ensuring student success. Teachers are required to achieve three levels of IB training, and participate in collaborative statewide roundtables, international conferences and continuing professional development.
Currently, more than 20 C-C teachers are IB-certified. Students in the diploma program not only receive group and individualized support from C-C teachers, counselors and administrators, they also support each other socially and academically. The school works hard to provide support to students in ala carte classes as well.
Students will have the opportunity to learn more about IB and register for the program in the fall of their sophomore year. An IB Parent Information Night is scheduled for November 9 at the high school PAC beginning at 7 p.m. Contact IB Coordinator Kelley Fahy at KFahy@cccsd.org for more information
For more information on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, visit www.ibo.org/en/programmes/diploma-programme/.
Provided information
