Schools

Two Upper Marlboro Schools Approved for IB Programme

With the authorization, James Madison Middle and Frederick Douglass High are the only two IB World Schools in Prince George's County.

James Madison Middle School and Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro now offer the specialized International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme, a rigorous set of courses that prepare students for college.  

An extension of the IB Diploma program, the Middle Years Programme is supposed to develop academically proficient, globally minded learners.

Frederick Douglass and James Madison had been working collaboratively towards becoming IB World Schools since 2008. The schools received notification last month that they were formally authorized to offer the Middle Years Programme, making them the only IB World Schools in the county.  

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“The entire school community is extremely pleased about our becoming an IB World School,” Rudolph Saunders, principal of Frederick Douglass High School, said in a statement. “Students are growing in their self-confidence as IB learners, parents are supporting their students in going above and beyond in terms of academic work and community service, and teachers are embracing the concepts of an international education.” 

"James Madison Middle School is committed to ensuring our students are well-equipped, empowered and encouraged to excel and succeed in a global, competitive world,” principal Courtney King said. “The utilization of the Middle Years International Baccalaureate program enhances our ability to establish standards that emphasize high levels of critical thinking and reasoning, accompanied by application of learning to real-world situations." 

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The Middle Years Programme, aimed at students in sixth- through tenth- grades, encourages them to make the real-world connections with classroom subjects and become critical and reflective thinkers.

Students focus on eight subject groups — humanities, mathematics, two languages, science, the arts, physical education and technology – and view these subjects through multiple lenses, including health and social education, community service and the environment.  

Tenth-graders complete the Personal Project, which allows them to demonstrate the skills and aptitude developed over the years.

Five county high schools offer the IB Diploma Program – Central, Crossland, Laurel, Parkdale and Suitland. Frederick Douglass is beginning the process to become authorized to offer the Diploma Program.

More information on the Middle Years Programme is available online at www.ibo.org/myp. Details about the IB Diploma Program in PGCPS can be found at www1.pgcps.org/IB.


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