Board approves school-of-choice openings to support new IB middle program at Davidson

The Southgate Community School District Board of Education approved two school-of-choice plans on Jan. 14, 2025, that open seats for the district's expanding International Baccalaureate (IB) programming and set districtwide choice limits for kindergarten through grade 11.

Davidson Middle Academy principal Jessica Garcia, who is leading implementation of the district's middle years IB program, told the board the district has applied for IB candidacy and expects a decision by the end of the month; full authorization typically takes three to four years. She said the middle years program will begin next school year at the former Asher building with two sections each of sixth and seventh grade and that staff are coordinating shared services and scheduling with Davidson Middle School.

Garcia described the IB middle years curriculum as inquiry- and concept-based, with eight required content areas and added elements such as a design cycle and a community-service component. "The goal of the primary years program is really to prepare students for the middle years program curriculum," Garcia said. She outlined student expectations including a capstone community or personal project in 10th…