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Denver students can still enroll in choice schools

This Web only Speakout has not been edited.

Wendy Pierce, Wendy Lanier and Jeannie Peppel

Published January 23, 2008 at noon

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Across the U.S. and here in Colorado, public schools of all kinds are working hard to deliver a meaningful, relevant education that prepares students to thrive in our increasingly changing and interdependent world.

They’re also working hard to capture the attention of parents.

In Colorado, students may attend public schools outside their own neighborhood or in a different school district entirely.

Now more than ever before, parents have many choices for different schools that best match their children’s needs and interests.

This month, parents will explore schools, talk to other parents, visit open houses and tour classrooms. It’s the time of year they can “choice” into schools outside their neighborhood. The choice enrollment period for Denver Public Schools started Jan. 7. The first-round deadline is Jan. 31.

While “choice” is positive for children, the scores of choices can be overwhelming for parents.

Choosing an International Baccalaureate (IB) education means students learn the kinds of behaviors and skills essential to success in the 21st century – analyze and evaluate vast quantities of information, solve complex problems, communicate effectively using a variety of media, work in teams, create, and innovate.

IB students learn on a deeper level, make connections to the world around them, and ask questions. They are intellectually curious about the world, are analytical and creative thinkers, and express ideas with confidence. They also learn a second language, participate in community service and appreciate cultures around the world from an early age.

IB is one of the fastest-growing and most prestigious educational approaches in the U.S. It’s taught worldwide to over a half million students in nearly 2,200 schools in 126 countries – and right here in our own backyard.

The southwest Denver family of IB schools is a unique partnership among Sabin International School, Henry World School and John F. Kennedy High School (JFK). Faculty at the three schools work together to offer a seamless IB education to students from preschool through high school.

Sabin is one of just three public elementary schools in Denver to offer IB for all students from Early Childhood Education through grade 5. Henry is the first public middle school in Denver to provide IB for all students in grades 6 through 8. And when the IB Diploma Programme starts this fall for juniors (and next fall for seniors), JFK will be the only Denver high school to offer IB for students in all grades – 9 through 12.

Students throughout the greater metro Denver area are eligible to attend Sabin, Henry or JFK.

The highly esteemed IB approach to learning, which began in 1968, is recognized for its rigor, high quality and global emphasis.

Data show that rigorous coursework is a predictor of later success. A national study found that students who enrolled in IB courses were more prepared for college, earned higher first-year grade point averages in college and had a higher college graduation rate. This was true for all ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels.

Leading college admissions expert Barmak Nassirian recently told Education Week, a national weekly newspaper focusing on education issues, that IB generally is regarded as “the gold standard of high school curriculum in admissions circles.”

And almost half of the U.S. high schools listed in Newsweek magazine’s top 100 last year were IB schools.

What’s most important is taking the time to research schools, visit with teachers and principals, and talk to other parents. Taking the time to research the right educational fit for your child will pay big dividends in the long run.

Wendy Pierce of Sabin International School, Wendy Lanier of Henry World School and Jeannie Peppel of John F. Kennedy High School are principals of the southwest Denver family of IB schools.

Comments

  • January 24, 2008

    6:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    My 5th grader is applying to an IB program at Century Middle School for next year.Please make it clear to parents and students that this is no cake walk program. Both student and parents need to be prepared for a rigorous learning program.It is important that students have a solid work ethic,no behavior problems and a strong base at home.
    My daughter has been preparing to apply to this program since she started kindergarten. Her godparents children went through this program so we are fully aware of the commitment it takes to be in this program and stay in this program. She realizes it is alot harder than what she is used to in a watered down curriculum they teach in regular school,but we have spoken about the challenges she will face and how at times it will be overwhelming.We have made it clear to her she will have more homework,more studywork and more challenges,but if she sticks to it and we will help guide and support her,she will become ready for college ,which is her ultimate goal.
    IB programs are a great way to get great students out of the mediocre curriculum.It is a great program that is going to challenge them mentally and physically.The pay off is a solid education with their prize at the end of accomplishing something that will have them prepared for college.
    I have tried to have my daughter prepared for this and she is ready and excited. I have done all the paperwork and more. Her 4th grade teacher told me last year she would be a perfect candidate for the IB program when she reaches 6th grade.She upped her math and science and gave her harder work to do to help prepare her.She has kept an eye on her through her 5th grade year.Her 5th grade teacher was told at the beginning of the year this is a critical year for her and she would be applying for the IB program,so we wanted a stepped up curriculum and she was agreeable and has kept her challenged.
    All of my daughters previous teachers when they found out she was applying for the IB program came forward and asked me if they could submit a letter of reccomendation on her behalf.Everyone down to kindergarten.
    The teachers tell me she will definately get selected for the program. I am taking no chances and have provided them with alot of information on her.This is my daughter's way out of a watered down curriculum and into a challenging school program that will prepare her for the real world.
    If your child is not committed,if you as a parent are not committed and you apply for this program you are doing a disservice to the rest of the students applying. Do not take the IB program lightly. It is hard work.

  • January 24, 2008

    7:52 a.m.

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    Cathy writes:

    Brown Elementary School and Lake Middle School, in Northwest Denver, are also in the process of becoming IB schools. Please check them out when looking into IB. At Lake there is no need to "apply". Whether you are in the "Lake District" or you are doing choice you are in the IB program. We did this purposely so that there are no "cliques". We felt that ALL students deserve the right to go to an IB school. Not just a select few.

  • January 24, 2008

    9:53 a.m.

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    vudumom writes:

    I like that the IB program my child is applying to is weeding out the students who are trouble makers.This is a big problem in regular classrooms.I'm tired of classes being interrupted by the same kids and the schools can't really do much about it. This IB program will exclude behavior problem students. If you want to call it a clique,fine by me. At least my child can get an education that is not constantly interrupted by kids with behavior issues.

  • January 24, 2008

    10:55 a.m.

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    vudumom writes:

    I did a little research on the schools mentioned above. If I were a parent I would not want my kids going to any of these schools.
    IB programs are all not alike.Her's what I found out about the schools.

    1, Brown Elementary / grade Low/Stable
    2.Lake Middle School/grade Low/Decline
    3.Sabin International School/ grade Low/Decline
    4.Henry World School/ grade Low/Decline
    5.John F. Kennedy High School/ grade Low/ Decline

    6.Century Middle School/ grade High/Stable This is a school with an actual IB Program,that students have to apply for,but also is a regular Middle School.

    Parents do not think because a school is an all IB Program that they are good schools. If you look at the CSAPS of these schools that are touted as so great in the letter above you will be shocked.At one of the highly touted schools only 9 kids were proficient in math. Their reading scores are terrible and these schools cannot possibly be actual IB schools with scores that low.
    That is why Century Middle School interviews applicants. An actual IB program is very rigorous and accepts students that are committed to learning and setting the bar high for their goals.There is also zero toleration for behavior problems.There are also standard to keep grades up. This program will give the student skills and support to help them achieve their goals but it is up to the student to achieve a level of high performance.

    Parents who live in Denver and decide to apply for open choice on any of the Denver Schools listed above don't be fooled by the IB Program in there schools. You can't set the bar very high when you have horrible CSAP scores as do these schools listed in Denver.
    Do your homework before you choose.

  • January 24, 2008

    2:17 p.m.

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    Ben_Arvada writes:

    The best place to find information on IB schools, or any kind of public school in Colorado, is at SchoolChoiceforKids.org - This is THE place to go if you're looking for a school for your kids.

    You can search for any school or a certain kind of school from your address. You can also link to the state report cards to see how well it's doing. Very helpful if you're wrapped up in that open enrollment search.

  • January 24, 2008

    2:57 p.m.

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    schoolwatcher writes:

    In response to vudumom's comment about Denver IB programs' test scores: SchoolChoiceforKids.org mentions that Kennedy and Henry were only approved as official IB schools in 2007 and that Sabin is still a candidate school to become approved, in which case those ratings may not reflect kids being educated under the complete IB program. As I understand this process, these schools may have been implementing parts of the program while they were candidates, but perhaps not the whole program. Maybe the authors could speak more directly to the question of how long IB has really been implemented at their schools.

    Certainly, the CSAPs don't look good, but maybe the advent of IB programs will bolster their scores. Time will tell what kind of difference that makes.

    It is definitely true that just because a school has IB it doesn't mean it's of equal value to one in another part of Colorado, or that that particular program is a good fit for your child. That's why it is so crucial for parents to visit a school before enrolling their child and for public schools to offer a wide variety of quality programs.

  • January 24, 2008

    9:53 p.m.

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    LadyDutton writes:

    The actual IB diploma program is two years, grades 11 and 12. All other IB programs are PRE-IB or also referred to as IB Primary Years or Middle Years. Students can do the IB diploma program without doing the primary or middle years programs. IB was developed as a way for the children of diplomats and those whose jobs take them around the world, to have a standardized education where ever they happened to be. The actual IB program is standardized around the globe, the same test that is given in Germany is given in Spain and the U.S. and on the same day too. They actually had to rework the test versions since there were problems with kids in one country calling friends in another to give them answers to the exams.

    My daughter completed her IB at an international school in Europe. She complained to me that she wasn't learning anything new compared to her public school in Colorado. I talked to her IB advisor and he told me that the IB isn't necessarily teaching anything new or different by the last two years, they are just preparing the students for the IB exams. She also felt she was being 'spoon fed' and that there wasn't really time or room for discussions exploring different views. She found TOK to be more akin to political indoctrination than the name implies (Theory of Knowledge).

    It's easy to put it off by saying her school did IB differently, but, again, all IB schools cover the identical information on the same day as all other IB schools. That is the way the program is designed so children could move between schools/countries and not miss a step.

    I found that parents here in the U.S. often co-wrote their children's extended essays or at the very least, heavily edited while typing them for their children. I also heard many stories, from students themselves, about widespread cheating on homework due to the heavy loads. Most groups would divide the assignment, each doing a small part, then all would share what they did for others to copy. My daughter witnessed this as well although she wasn't accepted into that homework clique - thankfully so.

    I have also heard from parents whose kids passed IB in the U.S. (here in Colorado)who go on to fail in college because they never learned how to pull out information while studying since their teachers just gave them what they needed.

    These aren't rumors, they are real people's experiences. My son is NOT doing IB and is instead attending a charter school that takes a classical approach and uses the socratic method of teaching. My daughter tells me that she wishes she could have gone to his school instead of IB - she strongly feels she would have received a better education. I KNOW she would have and I am saddened that I bought into the hype that is the IB program. IB is not necessarily the gold standard of education, not in Europe, not here.

  • January 25, 2008

    10:27 a.m.

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    vudumom writes:

    Thank You LadyDutton for your knowledge and experiences with the IB program.I will take some of the problems you see with the program and keep a very close eye on what my child is doing. I'm fortunate to have a very honest daughter,so I know she will not cheat and she hates cliques.My husband and I have given her a good foundation and she has a support system at home,but we will not do the work for her.She is taking computer classes now so she will be able to type her own papers.She has always written stories on our computer using wordpad,in computer class she will learn how to set up a letter and a report etc...
    Your post has given me pause and I will watch out for some of the issues you brought up.Thank you for your insight into the IB program.