Soundview School achieves IB status

Published 8:05 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Soundview School in Lynnwood has completed a rigorous two-year process to earn authorization and designation as an International Baccalaureate World School by the International Baccalaureate Organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. Soundview is now authorized to administer the IB Middle Years Programme for students in grades six through eight.

“At Soundview, the IB Programme will help us to develop internationally-minded graduates that are creative, innovative and can evaluate information critically,” said Inae Piercy, a founding head of Soundview School. “These are the skills they will need to be successful and create a better and more peaceful world.”

During an April evaluation of Soundview’s implementation of the program so far, an IB team commended staff, noting that “schools do not usually come so far, so fast” when entering the program, according to the school.

More than 2,700 schools in 138 countries use the IB curriculum. Soundview is one of three middle schools in Washington to offer the IB program for that age group. Soundview is now pursuing authorization for the IB Primary Years Programme, designed for students ages 3 to 12 years.

Learn more about International Baccalaureate at www.ibo.org.