International Baccalaureate at Corcoran High School

• Building Principal Dan Straub 435-4321  dstraub@scsd.us
• Academy Principal Amber Adams 435-4321 aadams@scsd.us
• IB Diploma Coordinator – Cheyanne Sgroi, csgroi@scsd.us
• MYP Coordinator- Cassandra Malley-Donovan, cmalley-donovan@scsd.us
• MYP Project Coordinator- Jamie Gibbons, jgibbons@scsd.us
• IB Program Guidance Counselor – Julie Dunn, jdunn@scsd.us 

Corcoran High School graduated its first class as a member of the prestigious International Baccalaureate Organization Diploma Program in 2006. Since that time, well over 1000 students have completed one or more IB college level class. Starting in the 2019- 2020 school year, Corcoran will begin to implement the Middle Years Program (MYP) to all of it's 9th and 10th grade students. 

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What is the Middle Years Program?

We are currently a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP).  This means, in addition to the Diploma Program or Career-related Programme that students are involved in at grades 11 and 12, we provide the IB MYP for all 9^th and 10^th grade students at Thomas J. Corcoran High School.  The Middle Years Program is designed to not only prepare students for success in the Diploma Program and post secondary studies but to immerse students in highly engaging inquiry-based learning in all subject areas in grades 9 and 10.

MYP Personal Project 

The MYP personal project is an independent project completed by 10th graders through a cycle of inquiry, action and reflection. This long-term project is designed as an independent learning experience of approximately 25 hours of process journaling.  

The students will complete the following: 

• investigate individual interests and pursue personal passions 
• develop and apply specific approaches to learning (ATL) skills  
• explore their work as part of a meaningful global context. 

The dues date for this project is March 1st. Please contact Ms. Gibbons at jgibbons@scsd.us, MYP Personal Project Coordinator or Ms. Malley-Donovan at cmalle94@scsd.us, MYP Coordinator.   
 
 

What is the Diploma Programme?

The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.

Students attending any Syracuse City School District middle school may apply for the program in 8th grade. Once accepted, students will take the appropriate Corcoran pre-IB and regents courses to prepare them for the rigorous IB Diploma program junior and senior year. Although we strongly encourage students to participate in the full diploma program, we also provide opportunities for Corcoran High School students to earn course certificates by taking one or more IB classes. According to our graduates, the program prepares students for rigorous college course work. Many of our students have earned up to 6 college credits per course for their IB work at Corcoran.
 

For more information, please contact Cheyanne Sgroi IB Diploma Coordinator.

The curriculum

IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5.

In addition the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.

The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying. Extended Essay information can be found on the library blog by clicking here

Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).

Creativity, Activity, Service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.

All information from www.ibo.org         

 

The IB learner profile

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

IB learners strive to be:

• Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
• Knowledgeable : They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
• Thinkers : They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
• Communicators : They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
• Principled : They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
• Open-minded : They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
• Caring : They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
• Risk-takers : They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
• Balanced : They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
• Reflective : They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Each student who wishes to enroll in Corcoran High School Pre- IB Program must submit a completed application and schedule an interview.