The
Whittier Miscellany OCTOBER 2019 • WILMINGTON FRIENDS SCHOOL’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER • WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
TO IB OR NOT TO IB : THE FATE OF ACADEMICS AT FRIENDS In 2002, Friends became the first Delaware high school authorized to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The Baccalaureate program is an internationally accepted standard of learning “aimed to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect,” according to their website. The IB manifests itself at WFS as a second diploma along with the high school diploma each student receives. Many students choose to do the IB diploma in order to challenge themselves with a rigorous and fulfilling curriculum. Luke Munch ’21, felt this way, saying: “I was inspired to join the IB Diploma Program in order to push myself mentally and academically. I wanted a course load that would be challenging and rewarding at the same time. I also believe that the diploma offers a global curriculum that I desire in my education. I am also very fond of the Theory of Knowledge course which can only be taken in conjunction with the diploma.” Mr Benner, the Assistant Head of School for Academics, had the following to say about the value of the International Baccalaureate program. “The IB offers both breadth and depth in learning. The breadth comes with the course requirements that require one to take a class in 5 of the 6 subject areas. The depth comes from the four two year courses each student must take. The extended essay gives a college level research experience in high school, and TOK urges you to question the truth of the knowledge around you.” Another benefit of getting the full IB diploma is the weight it gives to college admissions. Many colleges like to see that students take the most rigorous curriculum possible, and here at WFS, that is the IB diploma. The college guidance office
recently reported that of the students who have gotten into the “most selective colleges” in past years, 79% of them have done the full IB diploma. Even if a student is not particularly interested in the IB program, it has undeniable worth in college admissions. Yet, despite these benefits that attracted Luke Munch and 12 of his classmates to the program, more and more students are opting not to do the IB. Diploma participation peaked in 2010 when around 40% of the Junior class were diploma candidates. In the last three years, participation has ranged from 15-20% of each Junior class. Bennet Ross ’21 is one of this year’s juniors who decided IB was not a curriculum that was suitable for
many students appreciate the rigour without the IB structure. Ryan Evans’20 is an IB diploma candidate who is reevaluating his decision. “If I could do it again, I think I would not do IB and instead pick up a sixth major”. Ryan felt forced into certain classes in order to complete the diploma. Another path some high schoolers take to find more variety in their course load is the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON) classes, which are classes that can be taken online after school hours. Students who participate like that they provide many unique topics that cannot be covered by the curriculum here at Friends. Given that many students have been moving away from IB in the past few years, Mr. Benner is attempting to expand the curriculum of diploma courses. Last year marked the first year the IB computer science major was implemented, and Mr. Benner shows that he is still looking to add to the IB program at WFS, saying: “We have not modernized the IB program since it was first introduced. Are we missing courses? There are many more course options offered by IB, such as environmental science or global politics.” Mr. Benner plans to survey all upper school Juniors and Seniors this fall on why they did or did not choose to do IB in order to get a sense of what classes be added to improve rates of participation. Overall, while many students may not feel that the International Baccalaureate Program is right for them, lots of students also have a great experience in IB. Annabel Teague, ‘20 says, “IB has pushed me to my limits as a learner and been very fulfilling for me. ” Ultimately, it is up to each student to decide what is right for their learning experience at Friends, and the administration is working to open up as many options as possible for students both in and out of the International Baccalaureate program. The future of the International Baccalaureate curriculum at WFS is yet to be decided, but it appears to be a bright one.
Photo taken by Lilia Machado
Liam Hudgings ’20 COmmunity Writer
A Wilmington Friends Student admires the logo of the International Baccalaureate program.
him. When asked about his reasons for opting against IB, it seemed that Ross found the diploma too limiting in terms of course choices. “I wanted to be challenged, yet I could not take all the classes I wanted, and do the diploma.” Instead, in order to still have a challenge in high school, Ross opted to take a sixth major this year. The sixth major track is a fairly common alternative to IB for students who are seeking challenge in their curriculum, yet feel that the diploma does not speak to them for whatever reason. The sixth major allows for more flexibility in courses, and