Board approves three new IB courses for Mount Horeb High School, plans phased rollout

District staff presented three proposed International Baccalaureate (IB) high‑school courses and the board approved each by voice vote at the June 17 meeting.

The courses approved were IB Business Management (standard level, intended to refresh an existing business offering and add partner‑based credentialing), IB Sports Exercise & Health Sciences (higher level, two‑year course to address local health‑science career interest with planned community partnerships), and IB Personal & Professional Skills (course focused on communication, ethics and graduation readiness skills).

Staff said existing staff members have completed or will complete required IB training this summer, and they highlighted plans to start with limited sections (staff estimated initial cohorts of roughly 10–12 IB students in some pathways, with additional students taking courses as SL offerings). The district emphasized local business partnerships and existing counseling and four‑year planning to help students sequence electives, IB, AP and career‑education options.

Board members asked about grade‑level eligibility, course capacity, and how course rollouts would affect other electives; staff said IB courses are typically targeted at juniors and seniors and that the district intends to phase the program to reduce disruption to existing electives.

Next steps: course outlines will be finalized and included in the fall course handbook and scheduling; staff will continue training and partnership development over the next year ahead of the planned fall 2025 program start for some IB pathway elements.