EDUCATION: The school hopes to offer an International Baccalaureate Diploma by 2010.
March 27, 2009
By MICHELLE L. KLAMPE THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE

Murrieta Valley High School is seeking approval to offer an International Baccalaureate Diploma for juniors and seniors beginning in 2010.

The rigorous, two-year college-preparatory program includes classes in math, English, foreign language, social science and the arts.

The curriculum stresses critical thinking, community service and a global perspective.

Under the plan proposed for Murrieta Valley, students will be able to seek an International Baccalaureate diploma or take International Baccalaureate classes in subjects that interest them.

Murrieta Valley Principal Renate Jefferson and several of her staff members presented an update on the school's effort at a special school board meeting Thursday.

"We really feel this is the right program for our district and our school," Jefferson said. "To me, it's educating a whole person."

The International Baccalaureate program, founded in Geneva in 1968, is offered at 642 high schools in the U.S. and in 2,051 schools around the world.

Students who earn IB diplomas are accepted to colleges and universities at a much higher rate than the general population.

A number of Murrieta Valley teachers have already been trained and curriculum is being written so the school can submit the second part of its application next month.

If the school is authorized, the first students would start in fall 2010.
"It's an incredible approach to education," said Dianna Hess, who will teach the program's theory of knowledge course. "It incorporates the best ideas on education from all over the world."

"I'm very, very excited, and I can't wait," said English teacher Victoria Barr.

Reach Michelle L. Klampe at 951-375-3740 or mklampe@pe.com