Family & Community Alternative Learning
Charter Schools Best Practices

Sturgis Charter Public School

International Baccalaureate Program

Topics:	School Mission Instructional Practices Developing, refining, and documenting curricula Special education students and English language learners
Mission:	Sturgis Charter Public School is an independent public high school offering Cape Cod students an intellectually rigorous education in the tradition of the liberal arts and sciences, a course of study aimed at independence of thought and generosity of spirit. To foster international awareness and understanding and ensure world-class standards of academic achievement, Sturgis will maintain for membership in the International Baccalaureate Organization. To motivate its students to achieve at high levels, Sturgis will draw on Barnstable’s marine environment and maritime heritage to develop the esprit de corps and individual curiosity, character and courage needed to succeed. To be located in downtown Hyannis, within a short walk of athletic fields and the waterfront, Sturgis will serve a co-ed population of 350--400 students beginning with 150 freshmen in September 1998 and adding a grade each year. Sturgis Charter Public School exists to: • Prepare students to meet world class standards of academic achievement at the secondary level. • Enable teachers to contribute to the best practices of their profession • Support parents in raising their children to become responsible adults. • Engage the community in thoughtful discussion of the goals and methods of public education.
Goals:	1. To challenge conventional wisdom about the IB being a program for elite students 2. To inform schools how they could ensure college readiness for all students by employing the IB Diploma Programme. 3. To guide teachers and administrators in implementing an effective IB Diploma Programme.
Summary:	Ensuring College Readiness: International Baccalaureate for All. Sturgis Charter Public School offers a non-selective International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for students who are admitted to the school by lottery. The school has been successful at ensuring college readiness for all students at the school through the program. School leaders and faculty at Sturgis Charter Public school design and present workshops at schools, conferences, and universities to inform school leaders, researchers, and teachers that an IB for All program can have on ensuring college readiness for all students. In the workshops the school presented its mission and demographic characteristics, curriculum development, data on results, successful instructional strategies, and innovations for students with special needs.
Partner(s):
Dates:	01/01/2005 01/01/2006 01/01/2007 01/01/2008
Contact:	Eric Hieser, Executive Director (ehieser@sturgischarterschool.org/508.778.1782)
Resources:	Workshop Session Materials and Consulting Services, available from the school.
Federal Charter Schools Program Funds?	No

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