Best of the Week 2020-2021: Teaching to the Future

ST. ED'S IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW; NEW COHORT EXCEEDS 50 STUDENTS FOR FIRST TIME

St. Ed's IB Diploma Program has just enrolled 56 Edsmen to proceed in pursuing an IB diploma by the time they graduate from St. Ed's. Since starting the IB program, St. Ed's has had a maximum of 50 students and has just surpassed this number with the Class of 2023 cohort. "It's exciting to see how the IB program has grown since it was originally introduced to our St. Ed's community," says Dean of Academics Matt Stepnowsky. "We started with 31 students attempting to earn the IB diploma for the Class of 2014. To see that number grow, not only to 56 students attempting to earn the IB diploma but also to over 200 students taking at least one IB course each year, is incredibly exciting." "Mr. Stepnowsky and I love emphasizing how the IB diploma is less of a program than it is a family," says Associate Dean of Academics and IB Coordinator Nick Kuhar. "The number one thing last year's IB Diploma graduates brought up in their exit surveys was how the brotherhood of IB was such a powerful part of their last two years at St. Ed's. To see a cohort of 56 students assemble to pursue that same desire just makes me smile. It's a beautiful thing to see the IB family growing at St. Ed's year in and year out." Check out the video above to hear from IB Diploma graduates from the Class of 2020 as they share their reflections and perspectives on the value of their IB education at St. Ed's. In hearing from some of the new IBDP students, many share the same reasons that helped them in the discerning process, ultimately choosing to pursue the IB Diploma. "I was originally on the fence between AP and IB for awhile, but something Mr. Kuhar said really stuck with me. He said, 'Why not get the most out of St. Ed's that you can?' This made me realize that IB was something unique that St. Ed's offers and why would I waste the chance of such an amazing experience?," says William Gonzalez '23. "One thing that was really emphasized during presentations about IB was relationships. That was something that I'm really excited to be a part of, especially since the relationships built here was a main reason that I initially chose to attend St. Ed's. The IBDP focuses a lot more on the 'how' and 'why,' not the 'what.' Instead of just finding answers, IB students are pushed to discover how they came to that answer and why the answer is what it is. The extra requirements like the Theory of Knowledge course and IB service requirements prove how really well-rounded the IB program is, with the common goal to prepare students for all aspects of life. I knew that both AP and IB would help in terms of college credit, but a lot of previous Edsmen have talked about how their experience in IB truly helped to prepare them for the full college experience." "From day one, I have always wanted to participate in the IB Diploma Program. It was one of the main reasons I chose to attend St. Ed's," says Jaden Stainforth '23. "I love that the program inspires students to engage in their learning instead of merely intaking information. It espouses the idea that education is something that should not be taken for granted. Instead of running through the motions, the IBDP motivates students to do their best academically because they have the passion for the course work, not because they want a high grade. Furthermore, the IBDP also evokes a sense of brotherhood and community between fellow students not found in other educational curriculums. Through the IBDP, I'm excited to gain a better understanding of the importance of education and truly value it as a life experience."