Continuing SDHS' perfect pass rate, the graduating class of '09 proudly received their high school diplomas. Adding to the ambiance this year was a SKYPE 2-way broadcast that allowed some of the students who could not make the trip down from Holland to still "be here". Several students in Holland also put together several videos that were well received and definitely brought a few students (and teachers?) to tears.

A full story and photo album will be up shortly so check back within the week.

photos courtesy of Vayolette Laguerre (4A) of Vay'la Productions.

From left to right: Eric, Iesha, Edwin, Stephanie, and Katherine.
(Hidden behind Iesha's "peace sign" is Erica!)

St. Dominic High School is pursuing authorization as an IB World School! We are currently a candidate school and the next (very exciting step) is a vist from the IB Site Team to our school.
They will gauge our facilities, faculty, student body and parent body and make a recommendation to the governing body of the IB programme.
Want to read more about the IB programme and St. Dominic's path thus far? click HERE.

IB SITE VISIT BEGINS IN:  

Building on the foresight that gave birth to our school and responding not only to the changing needs of St. Maarten’s students but also to the needs of parents and government, St Dominic High School has applied to become an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) school for the school year 2010.

St Dominic High School is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy – a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that St Dominic High believes is important for our students.

The authorization process includes the submission of two applications – Applications A and B – and the IB authorized training of teachers who will work with the Diploma Programme. Application A was submitted October 1, 2008, and the final part, Application B on April 1, 2009. During this entire process, the school was assigned a consultant who visited the school twice, reviewed the applications and course outlines before they were submitted. Application B included the course outlines for each subject we intend to teach. These outlines were written by the teachers. By the end of November 2009, thirteen members of the staff will have been trained for the following areas:

·             DP coordination              

·             Administration

·             Librarian

·             English A

·             Spanish                                        

·             Dutch      

·             History                

·             Business and Management                                   

·             Chemistry                                   

·             Biology                                       

·             Physics

·             Mathematical Studies                  

·             Mathematics SL                         

·             Creativity, Action and  Service    

·             Theory of Knowledge

The next stage will be the site visit, when an inspection team will come to the school. The team, consisting of three people, will be at the school for two days. They will tour the facilities, meet with the principal, the teachers, the school board, parents and students. Our site visit is scheduled for December 7-8, 2009.

*Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) as IB World Schools can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.

For further information about the IBO and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org