Marking a milestone for a world-class academic program, Inderkum High School’s first group of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme students received their IB diplomas or certificates Thursday while other students looked on during a lunchtime ceremony.
One by one, Tiger honorees stepped forward to shake the hands of Principal Dan Motherspaw and IB Diploma Programme Coordinator Jessica Downing while receiving suitable-for-framing documents honoring rigorous academic achievement.
“Getting into college was always a major part of my motivation,” Shyam Patel said of his IB diploma. “I always wanted to go to a good college and make my parents proud.” Mission accomplished: Patel leaves this week for UC Irvine, where he plans to major in aerospace engineering.
IB results were not announced until long after Inderkum’s graduation ceremony last May, so Patel and the other IB students – or siblings in some cases – returned to Inderkum Thursday for one more bow and to receive tangible proof of accomplishment.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UCLA, UC Berkeley, University of Washington, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and University of the Pacific are among colleges that have accepted one or more of Inderkum’s IB students. One diploma recipient, Sarah Allen, is teaching second-grade in Haiti for a year before attending college.
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course of study designed to create disciplined, responsible and well-rounded graduates by requiring advanced study in English, mathematics, a world language, history, social science, natural science, and either art or a qualifying elective in science or social science.
IB Diploma recipients also are required to do extensive writing covering every subject area, complete in-depth research designed to prepare them for college-level research, and participate in projects involving creativity, action and service.
Nine Inderkum students received IB diplomas Thursday for completing the entire program with qualifying scores. Ninety-three students received certificates for completing one or more classes within the two-year IB Diploma Programme.
“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural study and respect,” IB’s mission statement says.
“It was definitely worth it,” said Riyan Lacara, who received his IB diploma Thursday. “I wanted to be as prepared for college as I am now.” He will attend college at UC Davis and plans to study environmental science.
The IB Diploma Programme was rigorous but manageable for students with perseverance and dedication, graduates said.
“For me, it was hard but manageable,” Lacara said. “At times you feel overwhelmed but you can pull through if you have the determination to.”
Added Matthew Paterno: “If you believe you can do it, you can do it.”
Inderkum’s Diploma Programme was authorized by the IB organization as a World School in February 2014. Similar IB authorization was given in 2015-16 to the Primary Years Programme at H. Allen Hight Elementary and the Middle Years Programme at Natomas Middle School and Inderkum, which made NUSD the first school district in the Sacramento area to offer IB classes from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade.
