YCMHS grads ready for the next challenge

By Michael Gorman

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

When students walk across the stage to graduate from Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School Thursday evening, nine of them will be doing something no students have done at the school before.

In 2007 the school was authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, an internationally recognized program that prepares students for higher learning through a multifaceted and demanding program. At graduation on Thursday, nine students will receive the IB diploma for completing the program.

Besides requiring students to complete courses in all of the traditional academic disciplines over two years there is also a component geared towards extra curricular participation and community service and an independent research essay.

Standardized tests are developed for each course and the same test is offered across countries and regions, graded to an above-average standard.

Michael Drew, the program’s faculty advisor at the high school, said the program allows students to expand their academic horizons while also being demanding and time-consuming. “It’s an international program with an international standard,” he said.

Students get involved with the program for a variety of reasons. But most, including Vica Nguyen, know they are heading to university after high school and feel the IB program would better prepare them for that challenge. “After hearing about how much it was an advantage for students to take the IB before going to university . . . it seemed like the natural thing to do,” she said.

The program is demanding. While most students’ course load includes four classes each semester, IB students carry six. It means having to learn how to manage time wisely so school commitments can be met as well as requirements outside of the classroom, to say nothing of maintaining a social life. “(The work) can build up and if you aren’t on top of it,” said Cain Cottreau, one of the nine IB graduates.

Elisha Millson said learning these lessons wasn’t easy when she first started the program in Grade 11. “You have your six courses and then on top of that you have to get all of your (volunteer) hours,” she said.

The component outside the classroom, referred to as CAS (creative, action and service), sees students do a variety of things. Some volunteer with organizations, others coach or learn new skills or play on sports teams. Drew said that element of the program is all about making a well-rounded student. “I think it’s absolutely invaluable for students to be out in the community working with other people,” he said, “giving back some things that they’ve received . . . They’ve done a wide diversity of things that suit their needs and they’ve done this independently. That’s part of what IB does; it develops their independence.”

Jenna Clarke said she feels more prepared and confident heading into university in the fall, knowing that she’s completed such a rigorous and demanding program. “I feel like I’m going to be more prepared for university for managing my time,” she said, adding that time management was a skill she learned through the IB program.

YCMHS is the only school in the tri-counties to offer the IB program and one of just 15 in Nova Scotia. Because the school’s program is small, there is not a lot of choice when it comes to choosing courses. Course curriculum is refreshed every five to seven years.

Drew said he believes students who take the program at YCMHS get the best of both worlds: they are doing an internationally recognized program but they are doing it at a public school where they are able to enjoy the company of their friends and the support of their families.

The June 25 YCMHS graduation begins at 7 p.m.