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International Baccalaureate Program Introduced
by Mary Hunter

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A recent Retreat was held by the Cleveland City Board of Education, on April 23, 2010. These are the following items discussed:

The idea of an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was presented to the School Board. The program, if implemented, would consist of an $8,500 application fee and a $9,600 annual fee per student. The course could, also, potentially be offered to middle school students. In order to apply for the IB Program, students must follow certain requirements that have been set in place. A minimum of 150 community service hours are required per student. The student would also be required to submit an essay of at least 4,000 words and, in addition, be required to take 6 different languages. The program would be considered optional and would be available to those students who can afford it. Dalton High School currently offers the program and they have stated that it is expensive; however, it is possible for the students to choose just a few of the IB classes to add to their regular curriculum so that select universities will recognize said courses for college credit hours. The board plans to look more in depth at this program before voting to see if it will be beneficial for Cleveland City Schools.

The Science Wing dedication at Cleveland High School has been set for August 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., assuming no inclement weather.

A recommendation to expand the foreign language curriculum by adding it at Cleveland Middle School was made. It would be offered to the 8th Grade students as a related arts class and it would help to reduce the size of the other related arts classes provided. There was no recommendation for the particular language to be offered. The board decided on possibly giving the parents a survey to see if this would be something they would want implemented. There will be consideration to offer the class year around for the students, rather than the 9 week related arts schedule. If it will not be possible for the year around option, the board feels that it would be a waste of time. The idea of an after school program was also mentioned to include in the Survey.

A finalization for long range facility plans were discussed. The updates to the City Schools started in 2009 and continue through 2015. The renovations began with the New Science Wing at Cleveland High School, with the total being $7,660,500. The renovations and improvements have been strategically budgeted and will include replacing desks and chairs at Stuart Elementary (2010-2011), to a possible new elementary school in 2014-2015.

The next Cleveland City School Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, May 3rd, 2010.