Mes Amis Spring 2011 - Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

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campuS update The FYI on IB at FR Forest Ridge earns IB World School designation; IB Programme to be offered beginning this fall Peggy O’Connor Director of Marketing & Communications 6 Mes Amis Spring 2011 The school that prides itself on its tradition of educating young women to be caring, competent and successful leaders in a global community is now officially an IB World School. In February, the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) authorized the high school at Forest ridge School of the Sacred Heart as an International Baccalaureate World School, culminating more than a year’s worth of planning and training toward earning that designation. IB is a two-year educational program for students aged 16-19. It provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by universities worldwide. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme – which Forest ridge will also offer – is a program for students who wish to sit for the full diploma exam. The program will begin this fall for students beginning the 11th grade. Students can choose from three options: traditional Forest ridge curriculum, a mix of traditional Fr curriculum and IB courses, or the IB Diploma Programme. to date, 81% of current Forest ridge 10th-graders are already registered for the IB Diploma program next year; 19% have committed either to taking IB courses or traditional Forest ridge curriculum. “We are thrilled and excited about the fact that Forest ridge is only the 18th school in the state of Washington and just the fifth high school in the Puget Sound area to be recognized as an IB World School,” says Head of School mark Pierotti. “Forest ridge is the only Catholic, private school in the state to be designated an IB World School,” he adds. “We hope that the Forest ridge community shares our excitement and pride with this momentous step forward into the future of our institution,” says Dr. Carola D. Wittmann, Director of the High School. “The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme supports the global initiative for which Forest ridge School of the Sacred Heart – and indeed, the Sacred Heart Network of Schools – is widely known,” she adds. According to Dr. Wittmann, the IB Programme further legitimizes the curriculum already in place at Forest ridge. “The IB curriculum framework further supports the Forest ridge tradition of educating global citizens who participate in a rigorous college preparatory program that is recognized worldwide.” “Furthermore,” Dr. Wittmann says, “the IB Programme supports the holistic approach to education which is a hallmark for Sacred Heart education through its emphasis on service, extracurricular activities, and the fine and performing arts.” What makes IB special – and why did Forest Ridge pursue this program? The IB Programme is strongly committed to the liberal arts tradition in education – which is at the root of the work of St. madeleine Sophie and the philosophical basis for many of this country’s undergraduate programs – while at the same time, IB allows for more in-depth study in math and the sciences. IB cultivates global mindedness and respectful appreciation for other cultures, while at the same time helping students develop valuable skills in many areas: action, service, oral presentation, synthesis, writing skills, higher level thinking, and hands-on experience.
Sound familiar? “The philosophy of our Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria blend well with the goals of the International Baccalaureate Programme,” Pierotti says. “In an era of declining standards and grade inflation, we believe that the IB Programme will further distinguish Forest ridge and assure that college evaluation of student performance is thorough, equitable and consistent. This can be a significant advantage for our graduates: essentially, it guarantees the caliber of our students,” Pierotti explains. In the high school, the feeling is more along the lines that IB will add depth to a robust Forest ridge program that is already providing a high quality curriculum. “We bring to the table our Sacred Heart traditions of global education, domestic and global service, a rigorous academic foundation and a commitment to educate the whole child,” explains Dr. Wittmann. “With IB, our students will benefit from the additional in-depth study opportunities and an interdisciplinary approach to learning. The greatest benefit to them will be the fact that the hard work our students are already doing will be further acknowledged by IB…especially when it comes to the college/university application process.” What colleges say about IB campuS update typically, IB students are better prepared for university work and also benefit from enhanced recognition when applying for colleges. “As a result of IB as part of the total Forest ridge experience, our students will be in a position to better exercise their influence in the world,” Pierotti says. If a student chooses the IB Diploma path, she has the opportunity to receive more credit than a student taking IB courses without pursuing a diploma. “It all depends on the individual college/ university and is typically explained in the college admissions materials,” Dr. Wittmann adds. Here’s what Forest Ridge heard from some of the college admissions representatives it works with each year: “For students pursuing the full IB Diploma, the IB programme is considered to be the most universally demanding high school curriculum that exists,” according to jennifer Sandoval-Dancs of Claremont mcKenna College. “The IB curriculum has global marketability and requires so much from the student and the high school.” continued on page 8 Mes Amis Spring 2011 7
Page 1 and 2: sPrIng 2011 forest rID ge scho ol o
Page 3 and 4: INSIDE tHIS ISSUE… 2 Jerusalem: A
Page 5 and 6: “Goal III (of the Sacred Heart Go
Page 7: I asked, “What future do you see
Page 11 and 12: Across Campus fr students participa
Page 13 and 14: Campus great sports year for fr! Sp
Page 15 and 16: “Our most sincere thanks, too, to
Page 17 and 18: “This little boy came right as da
Page 19 and 20: Clair Rogers Jenkins '46, Maria-Ter
Page 21 and 22: 3rd Alumnae Reunion Weekend - Mark
Page 23 and 24: mAry ABErNEtHy mCKIllOP ’38: Rela
Page 25 and 26: (Continued from page 21) I went to
Page 27 and 28: Michelle Cristalli Harvey ’85 wit
Page 29 and 30: has made port visits in Panama, the
Page 31 and 32: Visiting young alumnae made a stop
Page 33 and 34: AASH holds a national conference ev
Page 35: In memoriam Barry Allan Ackerley, f

Mes Amis Spring 2011 - Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

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