Burton Elementary receives IB status
September 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris Bennett, Executive Director Advanced Academics, 560-2597
DURHAM—Burton GeoWorld Elementary Magnet School has been accepted as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) school. This designation, from IB North America, makes Burton the first elementary school in the Durham Public Schools system to be so named.
Burton has operated as an IB Candidate School for the last two years, with IB program offerings made available to students while the school awaited word on its application acceptance. Through the IB program, students are engaged through a method of instruction that features key questions, reflection and action learning. The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child and offers a framework to meet students’ academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural needs.
At Burton, students will develop a broad perspective of the world and a better understanding of their immediate environment through daily instruction in foreign language, global study of geography and current events, a student broadcast center and community service.
Shepard Middle Magnet School and Hillside High School both have offered IB programs for several years. The addition of the program at Burton now ensures that DPS students will have an IB magnet option for grades K-12.
Takeisha Ford was named Principal of Burton last month. She comes from McDougle Elementary School in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, where she was Principal for the last year.
"We are very pleased that Durham Public Schools is now able to offer the highly successful IB program to students of all ages," said Superintendent Carl E. Harris. "This proven course of study has a very strong track record of providing high academic rigor for students, plus a generous plate of instructional options that develop students as global citizens."
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