International baccalaureate program coming to Agoura High
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Plans are underway to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to local high school students, officials said last week.

To build momentum for the liberal arts curriculum and receive approval from the Las Virgenes Unified School District, a parent information meeting will be hosted at Agoura High School on Wed., Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the G building.

"The IB program is a worldclass, liberal arts curriculum recognized by the finest universities in the world, including the UC and CSU systems, as well as the most prestigious private universities in California," said Ziona Friedlander, a parent volunteer.

If approved by the board of education, school officials have their work cut out for them. The application and approval process takes up to two years, Friedlander said. If plans go as expected, this year's crop of freshmen and sophomores will be eligible to be the district's first IB candidates.

While the program is expected to be housed at Agoura High, district officials want participation in the program by students from both Agoura and Calabasas high schools, Friedlander said.

Only 58 public and private high schools in California offer the program, according to the International Baccalaureate group. If approved, Agoura High would be the first school in the Conejo Valley to offer the program. Worldwide, 2,119 schools offer the program with an enrollment of 566,000 students, Friedlander said.

"One of the initiatives that the board has set for this year and one of the key district dynamics we have in our long-range planning is to provide greater alternatives for our students," said Superintendent Donald Zimring. "The IB program is yet another alternative of these types of programs that will accomplish this."

The IB diploma program reportedly offers students a curriculum of six study subjects in six subject groups. In addition to the academic requirements including an extended essay and following a "theory of knowledge" course, students participate in CAS (creativity, action, service) coursework.

According to information provided by the IB group at its website, www.ibo.org, three of the six subjects are taught at college levels, while the remaining three subjects are studied at standard high school level.

The mission of the IB program is multifaceted, but a central tenet focuses on students gaining an "intercultural understanding and respect" for people around the world. The program reportedly aims to instill in students a lifelong love of learning built on compassion.

To RSVP for the upcoming parent meeting, contact Friedlander at ziona88@charter.net or call her at (818) 879-613