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Daphne High Named an International Baccalaureate World School
Daphne High has been named an International Baccalaureate World School by the IB Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. As such, Daphne High becomes one of only 2,100 schools world-wide to earn this unrivaled academic distinction.
The International Baccalaureate Organization was founded in 1968 to facilitate the international mobility of students preparing for post-secondary education by providing schools with a curriculum and diploma recognized by universities around the world. Since then IB has expanded its mission to make an education of such caliber available to students of all ages, and the IB diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. IB students demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of their mastery of subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world.
This announcement means that highly motivated students in our own community will have the opportunity to earn an IB diploma, positioning them well to seek admission to the most prestigious colleges and universities in the nation.
SEEDS’ Support for IB Began in 2004
SEEDS gratefully acknowledges the tireless efforts of the leadership team and faculty at Daphne High for working to realize our community’s dream of making IB available to our students and those throughout north Baldwin County.
And, according to Joe Roh, IB Coordinator at DHS, the advent of IB will broaden future prospects for every Daphne student – even those not enrolled in the program.
“Simply having an IB presence on campus raises the bar for everyone and will attract more attention from college admissions officers for every DHS graduate,” said Roh.
“Making this unique academic challenge available to interested students places us among a select number of forward-thinking districts throughout the nation,” he added.
SEEDS has lobbied to bring IB and its diverse benefits to Baldwin County since 2004. In January 2006 -- following 18 months of focused advocacy (that included initial meetings with school system officials and a visit to Murphy High’s IB Program, extensive written communication with and personal appeals to school board members, the approval of a resolution of support by the Daphne City Council, and regular attendance at IB informational meetings and school board work sessions) -- SEEDS applauded a decision by the Board of Education to establish an International Baccalaureate Program in our school district.
In August 2006, the Board voted to authorize both Daphne High and Fairhope High to apply to become IB schools and ultimately to serve as magnet programs for students in their respective regions of Baldwin County (i.e., north and south). The formal application process was undertaken in 2006-07, and 79 rising ninth and tenth grade students at DHS were accepted to begin course work in 2007-08 that would prepare them for IB participation as juniors and seniors.
An official IB site team visit took place in early November and notification that Daphne High had been named an IB World School was received in late December. Fairhope High was also approved, making Baldwin County only the second school district in the state to initiate two IB programs simultaneously.
As Daphne High students and teachers prepare to implement IB fully in 2008-09, SEEDS has pledged continuing support in the way of scholarships to encourage the participation of all interested students
Get more information! Download/print the following:
- Baldwin County’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme brochure
- Baldwin County’s IB PowerPoint Presentation – “An Education for Life”
- Student Application for Baldwin County’s IB Diploma Programme