The Baccalaureate School for Global Education (BSGE) has something to be especially proud of this year.
On Tuesday, July 6, 28 students of the school’s senior class were awarded the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
“We are extremely proud of the achievement of our seniors,” said Kelly J. Johnson, principal at BSGE, located at 34-12 36th Avenue in Astoria. “Our students, teachers and staff have worked hard over the last six years to achieve this significant honor.”
Of the 71 students in the school’s senior class, 69 were accepted into four-year colleges and two were accepted into two-year colleges. More than a third of the class received the IB diploma.
“What’s not noticed in that number is that we have a number of students who earned more than the requisite number of points [to earn the IB diploma],” added Johnson, noting that the parents have been “extremely supportive” and that she is proud to be part of such a “hardworking school community.”
The International Baccalaureate diploma program, which awards the certificate, is designed to instruct students in the 11th and 12th grades and prepare them for final examinations that are offered at schools worldwide. Students in the program have taken assessments in English, Spanish, Chinese, history, chemistry and art and technology. They have also been involved in extracurricular activities through the school’s Creativity, Action and Service Program.
“The International Baccalaureate Organization provides a curriculum and assessments for schools. The idea is to have continuity and provide a high degree of rigor,” explained Johnson. “In grades 11 and 12, students study six subjects rather in-depth, and there are major assessments that are rated by the IB.”
The accomplished students from BSGE come from a variety of neighborhoods, including Astoria, Bellerose, Briarwood, College Point, East Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Jamaica, Maspeth, Sunnyside and Woodside.
They were accepted to several notable colleges, including Barnard College, Boston University, Brandeis University, Colby College, New York University, Vassar College and Williams College.
Many of the students were proud to receive the diploma.
“The first thing is the satisfaction from really putting into that much work into it [the IB Diploma Program],” said Evan Badler, who will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The work level is definitely something that challenges us.”
