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What unites the IBO community of schools is the commitment to an integrated international curriculum. A recent study by Kenneth Tye concluded, "Throughout the world, schooling is still seen as a major force in the building of national loyalties?" National, provincial and state curricula have always been designed to instill the values, history and perspectives of a particular society. The IBO offers local schools an international program for the entire school continuum, reaching beyond the local context.

Young people may not be able to care about global issues without knowledge of the world beyond their local communities. Knowledge will lead to caring, and caring will lead to action. Through action, our students can make meaningful contributions to building a better world, whether it involves a fundraising activity for distant tsunami victims or a clean -up in our own backyard.

An integral part of IB is to design thoughtful curriculum that will help our students develop an international mindedness that will build their capacity for action in our world.

A: Colleges and universities throughout North America view the IB Diploma Programme as providing outstanding preparation for university work. Additionally, many of the most selective institutions have established policies that recognize the work students have done. Some universities also offer scholarships to IB graduates. We encourage you to visit the IBO website: http://www.ibo.org/universities/listalluniversities.cfm . There you will be able to research the IB recognition policies of post-secondary institutions throughout the world.

Q: How does taking such challenging courses improve my chances for scholarships and admissions to universities?

A: At a time when increasing numbers of college and university applicants are all presenting equally impressive GPAs or percentages, admissions officers must look for other evidence that the student will succeed in the challenges of the new academic environment. Admissions officers look for such factors as the quality of the courses represented on the transcript, the balance of courses across all disciplines, the record of the student's research abilities, and the details of school and community involvement, all requirements of the Diploma Programme.

Q: The IB Diploma Programme sounds really exciting! What are the other advantages of enrolling in this program at Signature?

A: Students with IB Diplomas, who now attend universities, report that their involvement with IB has given them the tools they needed to succeed and make the most of their post-secondary education. In particular, students comment on their sense of preparedness, their self-confidence, their research skills, their ability to manage their time, and their willingness to be actively engaged in their own learning. Even more importantly, they have developed a sense of the world around them, their responsibility to it, and the skills with which to embrace the complexities of life.

A: International education embraces analytically, creatively, and enthusiastically diverse worldviews. It strives to include issues relevant to the larger world and connect them to the local arena. It challenges students and teachers to identify pluralistic perspectives, to demand deeper analysis, to research more reputable sources, and to question any result deemed final. Inclusion, scrupulous assessment, acceptance, and tolerance are the instruments to employ in the pursuit of global understanding.

A: Signature School 's mission is to meet the needs of motivated learners in a progressive environment driven by global concerns. We emphasize internationalism and excellence in academics, the arts, and integrated technologies. We aim to achieve knowledge of ourselves through empathy for and awareness of others, to encourage students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners.

Today's global issues and problems are growing in magnitude. They require effective action by citizens who are trained and willing to deal with multi-faceted problems. Signature School prepares tomorrow's leaders and voters to make intelligent, informed decisions in the marketplace and at the ballot box. Tenth graders take World History at the Advanced Placement level, and Multicultural Studies and Global Awareness are requirements for graduation. International education is the cornerstone on which Signature School is built, and Signature's program ensures that global education is infused throughout the curriculum by training teachers how to incorporate global issues in their particular disciplines. Signature provides students opportunities to travel abroad, to participate in foreign exchange programs, to host foreign exchange students and teachers, and to engage in multicultural experiences through technologies such as email and teleconferencing.

As a member of I-EARN and the International Studies School Association, and through its affiliation with the Center for the Studies of Global Change at Indiana University, Signature School provides numerous opportunities for both students and staff to participate in a meaningful global dialogue.