Rye High School staff and students described the new International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and its first cohort during a Nov. 4 presentation to the Rye City School District Board of Education.

Superintendent Dr. Murray introduced the presentation, and Dr. Cody Bloom, assistant principal at Rye High School, framed IB alongside Advanced Placement and the Academy as one of three optional pathways the district offers. Anthony Frabizio, the school's IB coordinator, explained that the diploma'level students take one course from each of six subject groups, complete the core elements (Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay and CAS, Creativity/Activity/Service) and are graded on a 45-point IB scale; “students will earn a diploma if they earn 24 out of 45 of those points,” Frabizio said.

Teachers and students outlined initial course offerings for the first cohort, which the presenters said currently includes five students pursuing the full diploma. Courses listed for the inaugural year include Language and Literature (HL), Latin, French and Spanish at HL, Ab Initio Spanish (SL), Digital Society and Business Management, Computer Science HL, environmental systems (planned next year), two math pathways, visual arts and theater. Presenters said many HL courses run for two years while SL courses are typically one year, and noted some flexibility to shift course levels as enrollment grows.

Caitlin Schmidt, the IB teacher for Theory of Knowledge and business management, described TOK as a metacognitive course that asks students to examine how they know what they know; she said students will complete a TOK exhibition and a TOK essay in year two. Frabizio and other teachers emphasized IB'style assessments such as internal and external assessments, oral exams, and a variety of project-based evaluations compared with a single AP exam.

Two students in the inaugural cohort, Anna Gimplevich and Graden Cass, told the board the program so far has emphasized depth, real-world application and smaller seminar-style classes. "I was super excited for Theory of Knowledge," one student said, describing it as a key reason for pursuing the full diploma.

Board members asked about teacher certification and scheduling. Presenters said all IB teachers have completed IB Category 1 training and that the district plans to fund Category 2 training next year to deepen assessment preparation. On program scope, Superintendent Dr. Murray said, "We do not currently have plans to expand it" into the Primary Years or Middle Years programmes, adding that the district will focus on building the high school diploma program first.

Presenters said counselors received IB training to align courses with graduation and Regents requirements and that district staff will monitor course demand, sectioning and master-schedule impacts when considering future course additions.

The board heard the presentation and engaged in an extended question-and-answer session; no formal action was taken and the district indicated it will continue to refine course offerings and supports as the program grows.