BGHS offering students a different road to graduation
International Baccalaureate Organization puts students on fast track to college
by Brian DiTullio

DVUSD – Parents and students gathered last week at Barry Goldwater High School looking for a different way of getting ready for college.

BGHS is part of the International Baccalaureate Organization, a group dedicated to developing students through a challenging program with an international aspect to enhance understanding of other cultures. The aim is to “create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”

The program is described as a “rigorous course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated secondary students and to promote international understanding,” according to an IBO fact sheet.

Joe Stempniewski, program coordinator for BGHS, told the audience he has seen the program evolve over the last few years and is very happy with where it is going.

As for the effect on the students, he said they “find their own way” through the program and it teaches them to be independent thinkers and to better apply lessons learned in the real world.

“This is a program,” Stempniewski stressed. “It’s not about individual course. They grow as they go through the program.”

Trevor Jacklin, exam coordinator and public relations officer for the IB program, said this is one of the best programs he’s seen to help prepare students for college, adding he’s seen many of the programs graduates go on and finish college in three years.

“They work their butts off taking five or six classes a session,” Jacklin said. “Then they get to college, and it’s easy.”

Jacklin acknowledged the program’s graduates are bright to begin with, but noted the program is designed to emulate the college atmosphere, putting the graduates a step ahead of most college freshman.

Jacklin then listed BGHS student accomplishments in college who have gone through the IB program, including several scholarships.

There are three levels to the program for ages 3 to 19. The Primary Years Programme is for students aged 3 to 12, the Middle Years Programme is for students 11 to 16 and the Diploma Programme is for students 16 to 19.

The Diploma Programme, the focus of last week’s meeting, requires two years of extensive course work, essays and successful completion of examinations.

However, the Diploma Programme does bring with it a cost–$700 to enter.

BGHS Principal Mike Andersen said students who enter the Diploma Programme end up with a different schedule than the rest of the student body, but most who enter that program know what they’re getting into by then.

BGHS has about 200 students enrolled in the program for the coming school year. Andersen said the preparatory levels can be entered into at almost anytime, but the Diploma Programme needs to be started as soon as possible. He encourages any student wishing to join the program, to do so as soon as possible.             

Stempniewski said BGHS graduated 15 students out of the program last year, but noted not every student who enters the program actually graduates from it.

“All IB students did receive a BGHS diploma, though,” Andersen added.

For more information, contact Trevor Jacklin at (623) 445‑3121.