he International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, offered to more than 775,000 IB students in 138 countries around the world, demands the best from motivated students and teachers. The IB Programme includes the Primary Years (grades K-5) Middle Years (grades 6-10) and the prestigious Diploma Programmes (grades 11 and 12). Springfield is one of a very few school districts in the country with authorized IB schools at each level.

Academic Challenge:

Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that IB students learn and understand. IB provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand connections between traditional subjects and the real world, to become critical and reflective thinkers and understand their place as global citizens. Students are required to study their native language, a second language, humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical education and technology. Van Sickle students leave the school in 8^th grade well positioned to take advantage of advanced communication tools and rigorous academic courses — both AP and IB — in high school.

21st Century Global Communications:

To support the global aspects of the IB work, Van Sickle, through the support of Magnet funds, is becoming a hub of 21^st Century Global Communications through the use of advanced technologies.

Equipped with cutting edge tools, students participate in webinars with their IB peers from around the world to study first hand the similarities and differences in cultures. VSMS embraces the use of hand-held devices and mobile technologies such as iPads, Netbooks and Nooks to bridge the divide that frequently exists between school and home for this tech-savvy generation. Students have opportunities to participate in podcasts and Skype across continents, develop digital portfolios of their learning experiences and leave prepared to succeed in high school, post-secondary education and the world beyond.