Two Boston schools designated International Baccalaureate world schools

BOSTON – Two Boston schools have been designated International Baccalaureate (IB) world schools. Muriel S. Snowden International School at Copley and the Josiah Quincy Upper School located in Chinatown will serve as IB sites starting immediately. The world-renowned non-profit organization is known for high standards and pedagogical leadership. There are now only 13 IB programs in Massachusetts.

“These IB designations are a major accomplishment for these two schools and for our city,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson. “The students who graduate from these schools will earn a diploma that is recognized in Boston and Bangkok and all points in between.”

Students at both schools will spend their junior and senior years studying college-level material in six, two-year long courses. Students will also work on substantive research papers, integrative thinking, and achieving goals they set to become people of creativity, action and service.  

“This designation has been years in the making and will renew our focus on providing educational opportunities that are among the highest-quality in the City of Boston,” said Snowden International Headmaster Dr. Gloria Coulter.  

“We believe this program will add significant rigor and meaning to our juniors’ and seniors’ education, even while providing our youngest students vision and direction for their future at our school and beyond,” said Quincy Upper Headmaster Dr. Bak Fun Wong.

Quincy Upper is also moving forward in the application process to offer the IB “Middle Years Programme” for students in grades six through ten. The school will also offer a summer enrichment pre-IB program for students to prepare them for the demands of the “Diploma Programme”.

The BPS Acceleration Agenda, unveiled in November 2009, sets a goal of having 100% of BPS students take at least one college-level course (Advanced Placement, Honors, International Baccalaureate and/or dual enrollment) during high school.

Among other innovative models implemented within BPS is the popular Montessori program in the East Boston Early Education Center. The unique program began in September 2009.  

The IB does not own, operate or manage any schools, rather it works in partnership with 3,001 IB World Schools in 139 countries.

For more information on IB visit: www.ibo.org.