The Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School has begun the process of adding an additional curriculum to its offerings called the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. According to school director Pete Steedman, this program is intended to enhance the current offerings of the school by providing a rigorous, purposeful option for students.
In contrast with AP classes, which are based on a single course, like AP French or AP English, IB is an all-inclusive program taken during the students’ 11th and 12th grade. There are two separate programs through IB being offered: the diploma program, and the career-related program.
The diploma program is geared toward students who want to attend a college or university directly after high school. These students complete a more liberal arts type of course load; history, English, mathematics, and science. Other aspects include a longer, research-based essay, a creative outlet, and exams. These requirements are intended for students to prepare for work that will be expected of them in university.
The career-related program is designed for students who may go into a university after graduation, but are more focused on going into a profession in a specific field. These careers would include agriculture, farming, economics, science, or any other interests the student intends on pursuing. These students also have to complete some distribution requirements, but they also gain experience in their field through internships provided by the school.
