After a five-year process, Durham Elementary School has received official authorization to operate as International Baccalaureate World School. This authorization brings the district total to 13 IB campuses.

“We find that the framework of the IB Primary Years Programme provides the means to teach the state curriculum in a more meaningful way,” said Durham Elementary School Principal Angie Sugarek. “The proven track record of high standards, academic rigor, character development, and assessment are in line with the vision the community has for our school. We couldn’t be more thrilled to receive our authorization.”

To achieve IB authorization schools must complete two extensive applications and prepare for an onsite authorization visit from an IB-certified team. During the audit process, schools are responsible for training teachers on the International Baccalaureate Program and framework. Typically, the average school takes about three years to become authorized. Durham kicked off its process with a feasibility study during the 2008-2009 school year and moved through several steps including classroom observations by authorizers, reviews of the school’s curriculum, and interviews of faculty, students, parents, the school’s Board of Education representative, and administrators.

Founded in 1968, IB is a non-profit foundation that offers challenging educational programs for students aged 3 to 19 to help develop their intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.

Harvard, Northline, River Oaks, Roberts, and Twain elementary schools; Lanier, Fondren, Hogg and Grady middle schools; and Lamar, Bellaire, and Reagan high schools are authorized to offer IB programs. Other HISD schools in the authorization review process are Briargrove, Briarmeadow Charter, Herrera, Poe, Rodriguez, Rusk, the School at St. George Place, and Wharton.