JCHS Completes IB Program Evaluation

Jackson County High School recently completed its International Baccalaureate (IB) Program evaluation. This milestone reaffirms the school’s commitment to providing students with a rigorous, internationally recognized education since becoming an IB World School in 2019.

The IB Diploma Program is a globally recognized advanced content curriculum exclusively for high school juniors and seniors to develop strong critical thinking, research, and interpersonal skills. Students in IB courses have the opportunity to earn college credit based on exam scores, and those who complete six IB courses along with the program’s core requirements -- including a 4,000-word independent research essay and a service-learning portfolio -- can earn the prestigious IB Diploma. 

IB World Schools commit to high-quality teaching and learning, both in IB courses and across the school. Since establishing the program, three cohorts of Diploma Program students have graduated, with 72% earning the IB Diploma, and JCHS students as a whole have passed over 400 IB exams in wide-ranging subject areas, demonstrating the program’s academic strength and its growing impact.

The International Baccalaureate Organization evaluates each school every five years through a year-long self-study and a multi-day site visit. At JCHS, key components of the visit included classroom observations, meetings with school leaders and teachers, and dedicated sessions with students and parents.

In summarizing their findings for the final report, evaluators highlighted the district- and school-level commitment to fostering purpose-driven teaching and learning in a dynamic and supportive school culture. They also praised the school’s program development plan, which detailed how the school expanded access to the program and more than doubled enrollment in IB courses. 

In 2020, 64 students enrolled in IB courses. Next year, over 200 students plan to take one or more IB courses.

“This growth signals the success of the program in including and developing students,” said JCHS principal Melissa Gillespie. “Our successful evaluation is a testament to our tremendous teachers and staff who provide a world-class education in every experience at our school.”

Coinciding with the visit, IB Coordinator Alex Nichols received news that his proposal to present at the IB Global Conference was accepted. Nichols will present strategies for inquiry and reflection in English classrooms at the conference in New Orleans this summer.

“I’m proud to be a part of the IB program at JCHS,” said Nichols. “I’m excited to share  what I’ve learned from the outstanding students and teachers at JCHS and to bring back ideas that will continue improving the IB experience for our students.”

With strong momentum and a clear vision, the JCHS IB Program is ready for what comes next.