Today, 120 high school seniors will receive their IB pin, emblematic of completing the two-year IB diploma programme.  This will be a drive-through event.  Students and their families will be in their vehicles, and they will drive from the east side parking lot to the semicircle area between the Convention Center entrance on the south side and the reflecting pool.

–       Each senior and their family will line up in their vehicle in the Convention Center east side parking lot (1 car per senior/family)

–       Senior vehicles will drive through the Convention Center traffic circle and stop at the photographer station in front of the main entrance (see map, click here)

–       Only the IB Lamar Academy senior will be allowed outside of their vehicle to pick up a small gift and take a photo with a photographer.

–       Social distancing guidelines will be in place! The staff will be wearing masks. Students may choose whether or not to wear a mask for their photo. We are so sad not to be able to hug you all, but we will hug in spirit.

–       Vehicles will continue on the traffic circle and exit on the west side of the Convention Center (Ware Rd.)

Attire:

–       Cap and Gown

–       Graduation Regalia (IB Stole, IB Cord, IB Tassel, other awards)

 The McAllen ISD IB Diploma Programme (for grades 11-12) is based at Lamar Academy. The Principal is Mrs. Jeanette Nino.

The students being recognized this evening have completed two years of coursework in the IB Diploma Programme. They take exams for the IB diploma but will not find out if they earned the IB diploma (separate from the high school diploma) until July 2020.

In the 2001-02 school year, McAllen ISD was the first school district in the Rio Grande Valley to begin the IB programme.

The IB is a globally recognized, rigorous curriculum. It aims to educate all students to become lifelong learners and productive citizens in an ever-changing global society through a comprehensive, academically challenging program of studies that uses technology and community resources.

The programme focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and personal development of the student. The Diploma Programme requires students to take six IB courses, complete a 4,000-word extended essay, take a Theory of Knowledge course, and complete a Creativity, Action, Service Program.

In fall 2016, McAllen ISD earned the IB School of Distinction Award for its historical IB Diploma earning rate of the highest average in the world.

Students with an IB Diploma can get a minimum of 24 credit hours at any state university in Texas (Senate Bill 111, June 2005).

As of July 2019, there are more than 5,100 IB schools worldwide in 156 nations, according to the IBO website (ibo.org).  The International Baccalaureate Programme is headquartered in Switzerland.