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DETROIT (AP) — Cass Technical has become the first high school in Detroit to receive the International Baccalaureate World School designation, the Detroit Public Schools announced Friday.
The International Baccalaureate program helps prepare students for entry into college. The focus in IB classrooms is on problem-solving, critical thinking and global awareness.
Cass Tech High School could fully roll out the program as early as January, principal Lisa Phillips told the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/1pl0wqc) . Some IB courses will be offered beginning this fall.
Sixteen teachers have become IB-certified, with a dozen more expected to be certified by October.
"It will open doors for students at universities. You put that on your resume, it increases your scholarship opportunities. We're really excited," said Phillips, who received a letter last week saying Cass Tech was approved as an International Baccalaureate World School.
It will be the only school in Detroit offering the IB diploma program for students 16 and older, International Baccalaureate spokeswoman Colleen Duffy said.
Cass Tech has about 2,300 students. Eighth-graders must pass an entrance exam for admission. Once accepted, students choose to study a set of courses in a specialized area.
The International Baccalaureate program is operated by a Switzerland-based nonprofit. There are 3,882 IB schools in the world, including 60 in Michigan.
Among them: Bloomfield Hills, Midland Dow and West Ottawa high schools.
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Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com
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