The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 as an independent, not-for-profit education foundation. Its original purpose was to facilitate the mobility of students internationally by providing schools with an upper secondary school diploma recognized by universities around the world. Since then, its mission has expanded, and it now provides an internationally recognized education available to students of all ages.

The imperative that we educate our children for the 21st century is gaining momentum around the country with each passing day. Our students must not only worry about competition for jobs with others in our own country, but ever-increasingly from competition in China, India, and Japan.

Groups like 21st Century Schools, Coverdell Worldwise schools, and the Partnership for 21st Century skills recognize the critical need for developing 21st century skills. The International Baccalaureate program is at the leading edge of these initiatives because many of the most sought after 21st century skills are taught through the IB curriculum. The curriculum itself promotes several 21st century skills:

A rigorous curriculum
Critical thinking skills
Oral communications and presentation skills
Use of technology
Global Citizenship and service learning
Research skills

In order to meet this 21st century mandate, City Honors is expanding access to the IB curriculum in two ways. First, all of our students are a part of the Middle Years Programme and therefore all are exposed to higher level critical thinking skills starting in grade 5. Second, we are promoting and expanding the IB Diploma program as never before. We now allow any student who is willing to make the commitment to work hard and take on the rigor of the Diploma Programme to become an IB Diploma Candidate. The program has grown from IB Diploma Candidates making up 12% of the class of 2002 to 45% of the class of 2010 to 68% of the class of 2011.

Webmaster | (716) 816-4230 | fax: (716) 888-7145 | Disclaimer
186 East North Street, Buffalo, NY 14204