Fulton County school leaders have announced plans to expand the district’s International Baccalaureate program into five schools.
Fulton’s superintendent Robert Avossa said at Tuesday’s school board meeting that Heards Ferry, High Point and Lake Forest elementary schools have been exploring IB’s Primary Years Programme (grades K-5) and conducting a feasibility study.
The schools are preparing an application for Fulton’s school board to review in February. The application is due to the International Baccalaureate Organization in April, and if approved, the program would be offered no sooner than the 2017-2018 school year.
Similarly, two high schools – Alpharetta High School and Centennial High School – are in the beginning stages of conducting a yearlong feasibility study for the IB Diploma program.
IB is currently offered at Ridgeview Charter School and Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs, where the three elementary schools are located.
The IB program is well known throughout the world as being a rigorous, interdisciplinary program of study. The program – which is also offered in other metro Atlanta school districts — provides students with an “international educational experience and a global perspective on their coursework,” according to a released statement from Fulton schools.
The move to expand Fulton’s IB offerings is part of the school district’s overall plan to provide more school choice. For the past few years, Fulton has expanded school options for families, offering magnet programs, charter schools and increased virtual learning.
About the Author
