The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) has granted authorization for the Diploma Programme (DP) at Island Pacific Academy, making IPA an IB World School. This authorization gives the school permission to offer DP level classes--known as Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL)--to all juniors and seniors in Fall 2012. The first group of students who will have the chance to complete all requirements for an IB Diploma, in addition to their IPA Diploma, will be the Class of 2014.

IPA is rapidly progressing toward completion of the steps needed to become an authorized International Baccalaureate World School offering IB curriculum to all students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The school also holds candidacy status for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) that covers grades 6-10, and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for grades JK-5. IB coordinators and faculty at each of those levels are continuing to complete the steps needed for full authorization for those IB programs. Ultimately, all students will be enrolled in IB programs at their respective grade levels.

What does becoming an IB school mean at IPA? While it connects the school with outstanding teacher resources for professional growth, and the Diploma Programme is recognized by colleges and universities as a superior preparation for college, the student experience at IPA will still seem much the same as what they have been encountering in the past.

IBO believes that the IB Learner Profile is the means by which international mindedness is best achieved. The IB Learner Profile defines the type of learner we already cultivate at IPA. That Profile is the primary link between the PYP, MYP, and DP Programmes. Across the grade levels, IPA seeks to encourage students to be open minded, critical thinkers, and reflective about the knowledge and skills they are learning and applying. We also want graduates from IPA to be caring and principled, demonstrating the traits of generosity of spirit and kindness upon which the school was founded.

The goal of the IB program worldwide is to create international mindedness, matching one of the founding goals of IPA. Connecting with schools and students globally through the network of IB schools adds capacity to IPA in pursuit of that goal.

The key aspect of IPA's International Baccalaureate plan, and something that sets IPA apart from many other IB schools, is that all of our students will benefit from the excellence of the IB program. Because IPA enrolls students from grades JK through 12, students can move through a well planned and coordinated curriculum that builds on what students have learned the previous year. Additionally, many schools offer the Diploma Programme only as a gifted and talented option. All IPA students will benefit from this highly regarded international framework for learning.

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IB is well respected by colleges and universities in the application process, as well. During a visit to the IPA campus, a Stanford University representative, for example, confirmed that Stanford admits many IB students and that IB is a really strong fit for that university. Other college admission representatives agree, and evidence indicates that graduates from IB schools are exceptionally well prepared for college level work.

Read more details about the general regulations and guidelines for the IB Diploma Programme here.

For questions regarding International Baccalaureate plans and progress toward authorization for MYP and PYP at IPA contact:

• Benjamin Feinstein, Director of Studies: bfeinstein@ipahawaii.org (for Secondary, grades 6-12)
  Richard Snell, PYP IB Curriculum Coordinator: rsnell@ipahawaii.org (for Elementary, grades JK-5)
  Dan White, Headmaster: headmaster@ipahawaii.org