Upper School Art Teacher Jane Graham introduces Stanwich Trustees and administrators to an IB Diploma Programme lesson on “Appropriation in Art: Recreating the Birth of Venus.”

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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme At Stanwich

The Stanwich School mission emphasizes academic rigor, holistic learning and improvement of the world. Our school community is defined by a commitment to develop students with the skills and values to lead lives of meaning and purpose. To further these goals and enhance the academic experience for our oldest students, Stanwich will offer the highly respected International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme beginning in the fall of 2018. The capstone to a Stanwich education, the Diploma Programme will provide 11th and 12th grade students with exemplary critical thinking skills that will prepare them for success in college and beyond.

Stanwich will be the first and only school in Greenwich to offer the IB Diploma Programme.

Stanwich is currently in the second year of a two-year authorization process to offer the IB Diploma Programme. We anticipate that authorization will be granted next spring and implementation of the Diploma Programme will begin in the fall of 2018.*

The Stanwich School is a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by deliv-ering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision. *Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaure-ate can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org

SAVE THE DATE

The IBDP Steering Committee and the Upper School Faculty Present

An Evening of IBDP Mini-Lessons

Experience the excitement of an IB classroom and learn more about the IB Diploma Programme

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 6:30PM

If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Catalina Sposato at csposato@stanwichschool.org

2 Summer 2017 Stanwich Heart

The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging, interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students in grades 11 and 12 for success in college and beyond. The two-year course of study aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are prepared for living and working in a complex, highly interconnected world. Its holistic educa-tional approach develops students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge, and encourages students to think and to draw connections across disciplines. Designed in 1968 and now taught in the most prestigious secondary schools world-wide, the Diploma Programme has earned respect and recogni-tion from leading colleges and universities.

Stanwich Head of School Charlie Sachs has extensive experience with the IB Diploma Programme and can attest to

its importance. “With a changing landscape and the uncertain-ties of the 21st century, more than anything else I believe an International Baccalaureate education for our oldest students is necessary for their success,” says Sachs. Jerome Murphy, Head of the Upper School, agrees. “Independence is one of the most important skills emphasized by the IB. All of our research and all of the feedback that we have received sup-ports the claim that students who participate in the Diploma Programme are far better prepared to succeed in college than those who do not. The program is highly effective at preparing students not only for college but also for life. The program creates an environment that fosters independent learning and an autonomy that is critically important when students progress to higher learning.”

What is the IB Diploma Programme?

For general information about the IB Diploma Programme, visit www.ibo.org

For specific information about the Diploma Programme at Stanwich, visit www.stanwichschool.org/IBDP or contact Catalina Sposato at csposato@stanwichschool.org

Upper School Teachers Mark Milostan and Peter Katona present two IB Diploma Programme lessons to Stanwich Trustees and administrators.

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Professional Development

All Stanwich Upper School teachers are undergoing rigorous professional development training as they prepare to teach IB Diploma Programme classes in the fall of 2018. Our teachers reflect on their training:

The IB Diploma Programme and College Admission

The IB Diploma Programme is recognized and respected as a mark of academic excellence by all leading colleges and universities. Last fall, Stanwich hosted a roundtable discussion about the IB Diploma Programme with college admissions professionals who shared their perspectives on the advantages of the IB Diploma Programme.

“My IB training has connected me with peer teachers all over the world with whom I exchanged teaching ideas and conceptual understanding. This feedback was invaluable.” —Chris Hughes, Upper School History Teacher

“The IB calls for students to be globally minded and engaged. This is something close to the Heart of Stanwich.” —Shannon Hubertus, Upper School Science Teacher

“Rather than racing through a tremendous amount of material to memorize, students are thoughtfully involved in subjects in a deeper, more substantive way. The critical thinking and grit they develop will serve them well not only in college, but throughout their adult lives.”

—Mark Milostan, Upper School Latin Teacher

“Like teachers, students will be part of a global network of students and schools. There will be many opportunities available not otherwise possible.” —Peter Katona, Upper School History Teacher

“The Diploma Programme fosters an environment where all subjects are connected. Students learn how to see the relationships between different subjects and I believe this will increase retention and problem-solving skills.” —Steve Feder, Upper School Mathematics Teacher

“The IB Diploma Programme curriculum truly engages students. It not only prepares students for the rigors of college, it inspires them take charge of their own learning.” —Jane Graham, Art Department Chair

“When you have this formula that ensures that the student is going to have a full curricula and have some advanced work and is going to have the kind of curriculum that encourages service and growth in different areas, the student is probably going to be a standout in the admissions process. So it is not surprising to me that the statistics are as they are [indicating higher acceptance rate for IB students versus non-IB students].”

- Panetha Ott, Director of Admissions, International Recruitment, Brown University

“To parents looking for a curriculum and an assessment measure that will best help to prepare their children for success in college and beyond, I strongly recommend the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Unlike the Advanced Placement program or SATs, the IBDP fosters critical thinking and writing skills and provides depth as well as breadth in specific subject areas. The program is highly regarded by college and university admissions officers who have come to know that students who successfully complete the IBDP possess the requisite skills to be equally successful in higher learning.”

- Terrance Giffen, former Director of College Counseling at Choate and Taft

“The IB is like having a first-class ticket when you go somewhere. For an individual to say that they have an IB diploma, it just carries them across the world.”

-Howard Greene, Howard Greene & Associates Educational Consultants

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