Baccalaureate Program Facing Challenges

Since 2004 the International Baccalaureate Program has been part of Tucker High School’s tradition of academic excellence.

The aim of the IB Program is to develop internationally minded people who achieve academic excellence and foster community spirit. The IB curriculum encourages students to become active, compassionate, and life-long learners.

Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admission at Harvard University, states: "IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB Program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript."

IB students have attended top public and private schools within Georgia, and they have done well there. Tucker High School is successfully surpassing this lofty goal. IB Students at Tucker have been Valedictorians, Salutatorians, Top Ten Percent, Beta Members, National Honor Scholarship Finalists, and recipients of various other community and academic honors.

Tucker IB students have been accepted into Ivy League schools, prestigious national and international institutions of higher education, and have been recipients of numerous scholarships.

Unfortunately, the DeKalb County budget constraints threaten the future of this dynamic program. Just recently, our DeKalb County Leaders communicated a significant change. The County has historically covered all the expenses associated with the IB Program, but decided this year to place the most expensive costs upon the shoulders of parents and students.

With just eight weeks notice, parents and students have been asked to pay hundreds of dollars to cover the IB exam costs.

The Tucker High School IB Parent Coalition was formed to assist parents, students, and teachers in establishing a better solution for this year and for the future of the IB Program at Tucker High School.

Committees are being formed that will seek assistance from our Dekalb County Board, enlist fund raising efforts, partner with local businesses, and seek private donations to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to pursue the IB Programme Diploma.

We ask for your support for our current and future students’ academic success. Help us encourage our DeKalb County Board of Education and the wider community to continue DeKalb County’s commitment to academic excellence through the International Baccalaureate Program at Tucker High School.

See the information below and please make time to join IB parents as we plan for a great year for our children.

WHO: Tucker IB Parent Support Group

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 2011 from 3-5 p.m.

WHERE: (enter at the gym side and look for a person or signs that will direct you to a nearby room)

WHY: To inform all IB parents of issues and to have one STRONG voice in expressing our expectations from DeKalb County School System. To discuss and explore future activities and support of our children, their teachers and the IB program.

Is your child part of this program? Are you involved in it? Tell in the comments below-