Wilson Elementary Celebrates Its Authorization As An International Baccalaureate School

Woodrow Wilson School celebrated its authorization as an International Baccalaureate School at a ceremony last month.

The IB program has a positive impact on students, schools and their wider communities with learning going well beyond the classroom walls.

Its unique and innovative approach to deeper learning means that both students and teachers are genuinely engaged with the academic programs and that they benefit from being a part of an unparalleled global network.

Students are able to participate in international conferences and educators work with their peers internationally to ensure that the IB remains at the cutting edge of international education.

“We want to offer our students a more holistic education which will instil in them the skills, knowledge, and outlook to succeed in the 21st century, both in their local communities and in the wider world. At the same time, we provide our teachers with the unique opportunity to be part of an international network of experts leading the field in education. We are delighted to become an IB World School and we look forward to reaping the many benefits of the programme,” said Principal John Haidemenos, Jr.

Wilson School is one of only three IB Schools in Massachusetts authorized to teach the Primary Years Programme and is one of only 488 elementary IB Schools in the United States.

During the ceremony, the school was presented with the IB Certificate issued by the International Baccalaureate Director General Dr. Silva Kumari, and the unfurling of the Woodrow Wilson IB banner constructed by Woodrow Wilson students.

Those students were: Livia Carmo, Brian Ramirez, Eduardo Barbalho, Carlos Morales, Geovanna Andrade, Ludmylla Ferreria, Vitoria Da Silva, Caleb DeSouza, Nicolle Martins, and Otavio Pinho.

Also featured were three Wilson students who performed the Circle of Life from the Lion King. They were Briana Martins, Emily Reginaldo, and Sarah Da Silva.

In attendance during the Friday night, Nov. 20 program to speak were the Superintendent of Schools Stacy L. Scott, Marc Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Family Services of Metrowest, Paul Mina, CEO of the United Way of Tri-County, Beverly Hugo, Chair of the Framingham School Committee, and Mr. Robin Welch, retired principal of Woodrow Wilson School.

Student work highlighting what it means to be an IB student at Woodrow Wilson. That work was displayed in the foyer for all to view.

More than 300 parents attended the event.

Following the ceremony, everyone was invited to the International Food Festival hosted by our families, said Haidemenos.

Authentic Brazilian music was provided by Anna Borges and Bill Ward.

The International Baccalaureate is a not-for profit foundation, which offers four high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. For over 40 years, IB programmes have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalized 21st century, and for helping to develop the citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world.

Founded in 1968, currently there are over 1 million IB students at 3,800 schools in 147 countries across the world.

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Photos courtesy of Wilson IB School