Statesville High School’s ninth and tenth-grade students were thrilled to discover the school’s official recognition as an International Baccalaureate institution. The declaration occurred on Monday afternoon in the presence of I-SS Superintendent Jeff James, IB principals from the district’s schools, school administrators, and elected officials.
BY KARISSA MILLER
In the Statesville High School library on Monday afternoon, a gathering of elected officials, administrators, and students celebrated the school’s accreditation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme.
Principal Chad Parker described the rigorous journey towards achieving this status, which involved assessments of the school’s curriculum, faculty, facilities, and other criteria. Speaking to the sophomores in attendance, he stressed the importance of taking a “leap of faith” for the program to come to fruition.
“We did it!” Parker declared. “Congratulations!”
To commemorate this milestone, Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James and SHS IB Coordinator Jill Hartle revealed a banner announcing the accomplishment, eliciting cheers and applause from the students.
With the introduction of the IB program at SHS, I-SS now boasts an IB continuum in the northern part of the county (Cloverleaf Elementary-Oakwood IB -Statesville High School).
The IB Middle Years Program (IB MYP) provides students with a collaborative and hands-on learning experience focused on real-world scenarios. Students not only learn academic subjects but are also encouraged to establish concrete connections between their studies and daily life.
Malia Hunter, a 10th-grade IB student, expressed her contentment with selecting Statesville’s IB program, describing it as a refreshing choice.
“I wanted to explore something different and engage with more like-minded peers,” she shared. “Here, I feel recognized as an individual, not just a statistic, and I value the personalized learning experience.”
Likewise, 15-year-old student Jaziya Mull commended the program’s diversity, stating, “I particularly value the diverse viewpoints within the program.”
During the IB authorization visit, students Sofie Erickson and Liliana Billings acted as tour guides, emphasizing the intellectual and personal challenges posed by IB.
“I’ve acquired valuable life skills that will aid my future career, including involvement in community service,” Billings noted.
“I’ve also learned a lot about myself,” Erickson added.
In the previous year, 60 ninth-grade students embarked on the IB program as the inaugural cohort, with 55 continuing as full-time IB students in the tenth grade.
“This academic year, we have 78 ninth-grade students enrolled in full IB (comprising six or more classes),” Hartle revealed. “Our program is expanding.”
The ultimate goal, she explained, is to have every student participate in the IB program, enabling them to select the number of IB classes they wish to pursue.
The core tenets of the IB program, including its learning methodologies and focus on learner profiles, are integrated throughout the school, even in non-IB classes.
Statesville High is the only school in the district seeking MYP and Career-Related Program authorization, with an expected announcement in the upcoming weeks.
“I am incredibly proud of the students and teachers. The teachers’ commitment has been pivotal in this accomplishment, inspiring students who previously lacked enthusiasm for school to believe in their potential,” Hartle expressed.