Academics
Prout was the first high school in RI to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and is now just one of two high schools in the state that offers IB. We have been providing this opportunity to our students for more than 20 years.
International Baccalaureate courses are offered to Prout's juniors and seniors. There is no ideal candidate for this program, however there is a "learner profile" of those who pursue this rigorous academic path. These learners are inquirers and are open-minded. These individuals are knowledgeable and caring, risk-takers, thinkers and balanced. They are principled, reflective and communicators. There are many benefits to students participating in the IB curriculum.
They will:
- be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
- take part in programs of education that can lead to acceptance in some of the highest-ranking universities around the world
- become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language
- be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world
Students may elect to take individual courses in pursuit of an International Baccalaureate certificate for that course.
Almost 80% of our juniors and seniors take IB courses.
Prout students also have the opportunity to pursue the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The program consists of six courses taken during the student’s junior and senior years, as well as the completion of the program's core which consists of three parts: a capstone class entitled Theory of Knowledge, an original extended essay on an area of individual in-depth study and the CAS or “Creativity, Action and Service“ program. Culminating in a series of rigorous academic exams at the end of the senior year, successful completion will result in earning a diploma that is recognized at universities around the world. Many universities offer college credit or advance standing for student who complete the program.
A Deep Look Inside Prout’s IB Program
Mr. Chris Bromley, Prout’s IB Department Chair, answers some often-asked questions about the program.
Q: What is the program? Is it rigorous?
Mr. Bromley: IB is a rigorous academic track that focuses on independent/individualized work that asks "why?" instead of "what?". While the standard subject content is covered, students are asked to go further to understand the concepts and processes at a deeper level.
Q: What are the benefits of IB - in and out of the classroom?
Mr. Bromley: The IB Program aim is to develop ten traits that are essential to a lifelong learner. These attributes include: Inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, reflective. Collectively they are called the Learner Profile, which allow the student to grow and understand the world they are joining. The skills they learn not only help them tackle real world challenges but also help them learn how they and others understand knowledge.
Q: How does IB prepare a student for college?
Mr. Bromley: This program teaches students how to think critically, manage their time, advocate for themselves, and work independently, all of which are vital to succeed at the college level.
Q: Give an example of how you have witnessed a student's growth through the program?
Mr. Bromley: I had one student who struggled greatly in the first year of Physics. He was historically a top student, but struggled with the idea that he would need to study to be successful, as that had not been his previous experience. It took until his second year to learn how to study and he quickly rose through the class. He is now a computer engineer. Another student struggled in Math. Once she got to the IB level courses, she began to understand the "why" of math and she began to improve. The following year she earned an A in Calculus her freshman year in college.
Find Out More
For more information about the International Baccalaureate Organization, including its history and rapid growth worldwide, we urge you to visit their website at www.ibo.org. There you will also find further information about IB courses, college acceptance, and other IB schools in New England and beyond.
For more information about the International Baccalaureate program at Prout, contact Christopher Bromley, IB Diploma Program Coordinator