Hartsville High International Baccalaureate Programme ranks high
Hartsville High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Class of 2020 ranked among the elite programs in the state. Hartsville IB Diploma Candidates earned an 88.9 percent passage rate that stands as the second highest in South Carolina. Additionally, 73 IB juniors and seniors at Hartsville High took a total of 179 subject area tests and earned a score of 4 or higher 90.5 percent of the time. That rate was the highest among all 22 IB schools in the state. The Class of 2020 concluded Hartsville’s 11th assessment season as an IB World School, according to Paula Alvarez, the school’s IB Programme coordinator. Since the program’s first year at Hartsville, it has served 258 juniors and seniors. Students who earned the IB Diploma are: • Katherine Askins • Sarah Childers • Carolina Conner • Sophia Krawiec • Jacob Prozzi • Hannah Rudick • Sarah Teal • Kenneth Wingate Jr. The IB Programme is unique in that IB students are assessed through both Internal Assessments and External Assessments, Alvarez said. The classroom teacher grades internal Assessments, while the IB Organization checks a random sample each year. External Assessments are given during May of each year and are sent to IBO for grading. IB scores range from 1 to 7 in most subjects, with a score of 4 or higher signifying a passing grade. Students who pass Higher Level courses receive college credit and, depending upon the academic institution, students who pass Standard Level courses may receive college credit. Alvarez said the school is continuing to work to improve its mentoring program for freshmen and sophomores in the Pre-IB Programme. This year, the school added an IB Environmental Systems and Societies course. For the 2021-22 year, an IB Dance course will be added. These changes, suggested by administrative leadership, parents and community members, will allow flexibility for students and effectively utilize the school’s resources, Alvarez said.
