Congratulations, to the 2021 graduating Poudre High School International Baccalaureate program graduates for earning full IB diplomas. These outstanding students exceeded the national and international averages for diploma completion and individual exam scores, according to results released July 6, 2021 by the International Baccalaureate organization.
Ninety-three percent of the IB senior class of 2021 earned their full IB diploma, far exceeding the international average of 79 percent. Students earning the full IB diploma are guaranteed a minimum of 24 credit hours at any public Colorado college or university, which translates to a savings of $5,000 to $10,000 in college tuition for families.
Poudre High School (PHS) had 61 IB diploma candidates. In total, 134 PHS students in grades 11 and 12 took 517 exams; of those, 37 students received at least one seven, the highest possible mark on individual exams. A score of four and above is recognized by many universities throughout the nation and awarded elective credit.
“Our seniors persevered and distinguished themselves as outstanding individuals with solid academic achievement and global citizenship even while navigating the last two tumultuous and challenging years,” IB Director and PHS Assistant Principal Cori Hixon said.
The meticulous two-year diploma program requires students to complete extensive projects, community service work and collegiate-level coursework.
Last year, six of the IB candidates who finished the program were native Spanish speakers and eight were first-generation students.
“Our dedicated IB staff recognize the benefits of an IB education for all students and the resulting statistics validate our belief that all students can participate in an IB education, regardless of ethnic or socioeconomic background,” said Hixon.