Optional University-Level Curriculum
At Renaissance High School, students will have the opportunity to take courses from The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, which offers a challenging two-year curriculum for high school students. Students will either earn IB certificates in individual classes or an IB Diploma, depending on their area of interest. Both diplomas and certificates are qualifications that are widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. Currently, Renaissance is an IB candidate school that has successfully completed the first part of the application process and is working on successful completion of the second half of the application.
The IB Progam offers a unique educational approach that combines a focus on rigorous academics with community service and instruction that teaches students how to learn and fosters a desire to make learning a lifetime goal.
In the IB system, students learn more than a collection of facts. The IB programme prepares students for university and encourages them to ask challenging questions; learn how to learn; develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture; and develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.
Other features of the International Baccalaureate Program include the following:
Six Areas of Study
Language, Second Language, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, The Arts.
Extended Essay
The extended essay, with a prescribed limit of 4,000 words, offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest and acquaints them with the independent research and writing skills expected at post-secondary levels.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
The interdisciplinary TOK course is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across all disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
Participation in the school’s CAS programme encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, thus fostering their awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.