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HIGHER EDUCATION
HANDBOOK A PRIMER ON COLLEGE PREP OPTIONS BY JAMES A. MALLORY
Hilton Head and Bluffton parents have options when looking for academic programs that prepare their children for college. For those looking to heighten chances of getting into a highly selective college, there is an International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Hilton Head High. Students seeking college-level credit while in high school can take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams available through Beaufort County public and private schools. There are also dual-enrollment programs through the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)
Hilton Head Island High offers the IB curriculum in elementary, middle and high school. The diploma program is available in 11th and 12th grade for students age 16-19. IB is a worldwide program designed to offer challenging
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programs of international education and rigorous assessment, according to its website. “IB will prepare you to do anything and go anywhere,” said Ingrid Boatright, Beaufort County school board member representing District 11. “It is comprehensive, multi-cultural and has international standards.” More than 175 students are taking IB courses in 2021, said Candace Bruder, Director of Communications for Beaufort County School District, in an email response. Between 25 and 30 of these students will go for the full diploma, she said. The county is working with Hilton Head High to let students outside its attendance zone apply for the IB Middle Years Program, she said. Students would then feed into the IB Diploma Program. Hilton Head High is also allowing up to five out-ofzone rising ninth graders to apply for IB. The students must commit to entering the diploma program, Bruder said.
