Bernards High School has been named an
International Baccalaureate school, a
prestigious distinction that will
introduce new courses and teaching
methods at the school and give students
an edge when applying to college.
After two
years of pursuing the designation, the
Bernardsville school last week received
its official approval from the
International Baccalaureate Organization
in Geneva, Switzerland.
"This is
an absolutely great thing for the
Somerset Hills School District,"
said Assistant Superintendent Pete
Miller, calling it one of the biggest
events in the district's history.
The designation
means the 567-student school will be
able to offer the rigorous
pre-university International
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Courses for
juniors and seniors will be added to the
curriculum when the program is launched
in fall 2003. Students can take them
individually and get a certificate for
completion or enter the full
baccalaureate program.
Those in the
full program, which will be open to all
students, must take courses in six
areas--English, a foreign language,
mathematics, experimental sciences,
creative arts and humanities.
They also must take an interdisciplinary
course called theory of knowledge,
complete a service learning requirement
and write a 4,000-word essay.
More than 20
Bernards teachers already have been
receiving training from program staff.
School officials said the strategies
they are learning will be used
throughout the school, not just in
program courses.
Bernardsville
Middle School officials also have been
trained, and Principal Anita Codey said
the school's curriculum and teaching
methods likely will be revised to
"better prepare students for the
program."
High school
Principal Lynn Caravello said the
curriculum there will be expanded in
such areas as English, math, history,
visual arts, music and theater.
"It's
going to add a real depth of study in
selected areas," she said.
Miller said the
program focuses on the application of
knowledge, rather than memorization, and
requires students to take more subjects
at higher levels.
The program
team that visited the school commended
it in several areas, including its
service learning program, a schedule
that fits well with the program and for
training teachers even if they won't be
teaching courses in the new program.
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