IB Program comes to Colfax

When Sarah Schopfer came back to Colfax High School to teach English at her alma mater, she realized that students were using some of the same textbooks she had used when she was a student. So, it wasn't hard for her to sign on to IB certification. "The IB Program felt like something that could unify the hard work we're already doing into something cross-campus," said Schopfer, who is both chair of the English Department and the curriculum and instruction coordinator. "We wanted something rigorous, that involves a more global education and a focus on the whole child. We believe it's best for students in general and especially our students." The school, which received its status as an International Baccalaureate World School in November, will hold an information night for parents at 7 p.m. on March 11 to answer questions about the program and its implementation next year. This is one of many sessions the school has held throughout the three-year process of becoming certified. The International Baccalaureate — or IB — Program is an international curriculum with a reputation for high standards and an emphasis on creative and critical thinking, student-driven learning, and teaching students to do research. Created in Switzerland in 1968, IB is now offered in 4,964 schools in 153 countries. Students are evaluated by external metrics set by the IB headquarters, and an IB diploma at the end of high school is widely respected by universities. Like a "5" on an AP exam, the IB Diploma automatically earns a student college credit. IB curriculum has been growing in popularity in recent years, with the number of programs offered worldwide growing by 39 percent between 2012 and 2017. All of which is why it was no small feat for Colfax High to become certified. In fact, most schools hire an IB coordinator just to steward them through the multi-year process of authorization. Colfax High received its authorization on Nov. 7, in a letter from headquarters in Geneva. "The IB Program brings a world-class education program to our district and our community," said the school's IB Coordinator Annette Udall. "Although the learning curve can be steep for teachers, parents and students, the payoff in access to best educational practices and university preparation will be worth it." For Schopfer, one of the most exciting parts of the program is that it allows her to revamp the school's English curriculum. "I've been able to choose the curriculum and write the course outline with another teacher," Schopfer said, "and it's really empowering to do that." The IB Program asks English teachers to pick the novels they'll teach from a pre-approved list, which appeals to teachers like Schopfer. "It's way less traditional Western literature, stories our kids have never been exposed to before. The topics we get to talk about are very mature and kind of controversial, but so relevant to the world today." One of the cornerstones of the IB mission is to cultivate intercultural understanding and respect, and Schopfer sees that manifested in the literature on the list. "There is a focus on empathy here," Schopfer said, "and we need more compassionate, balanced and whole people in the world. This is one way of doing that." The IB Program prides itself not only on student excellence, but on teacher excellence, too. "Sometimes you ask a teacher to raise the rigor in their classroom and you get this look," Schopfer said, "like, 'I don't know that that means or how do you do that.' The IB program helps us do that." But none of this is to say that Schopfer — or her colleagues — took the decision lightly. In fact, the first year of the certification process is called the "exploratory phase," and for Colfax High, this meant attending multiple workshops and informational sessions just to see if the program was right for their community. The school surveyed staff, parents, students, and the district office. "We wanted to know if we could do it the way we want to do it," Schopfer said. "We needed it to be right for us." Critics of the IB Program have questioned its one-size-fits-all approach, wondering if it's too rigid a program for most children. When asked if this was a concern at Colfax High, both Schopfer and Udall gave a firm no. The reason, they said, is that it's an opt-in program. IB is implemented differently across schools. Some choose to take the curriculum on fully, meaning every student will take the IB exam and aim to receive the IB diploma. Other schools offer an IB track within the school, and students who apply for admission to the school must choose at the onset whether they're applying to the IB Program. Admission requirements are steep, and many students do not make the cut. Colfax High seems to be doing a hybrid of sorts: they will offer the IB diploma as an option, not a requirement. But, all students will be taking IB classes, whether they choose to take the IB exam or not. "It was really important to us that we not be a school within a school," Schopfer said. This is a phenomenon many larger schools with IB tracks face, which creates a class system of sorts, along with the requisite social tensions. "We didn't want kids tracked in classes," Schopfer said. "The way we're doing it, every student is exposed to IB curriculum — whether they take the diploma program or not — and it's on the teacher to differentiate." The school's excitement for the IB program is contagious, apparently, because a district middle school is now applying as well, for the middle school program. Schopfer hopes this will prepare the students to feed into the high school program. But is everyone excited? According to Schopfer, it's a mixed bag — which is to be expected. "Some are really excited, some are afraid. Change is kind of scary." A sentiment Udall echoes. "As with any new endeavor, there are challenges and excitement," Udall said. "I am extremely confident that with our dedicated staff and the support of our community, Colfax High School will be a model IB World school and that we will be a leader in the area for the IB continuum." Info box: What: IB Information Night When: 7 p.m. on March 11 Where: Colfax High Learning Commons, 24995 Ben Taylor Road, Colfax Info: 530-346-2284