Some Ooltewah High School parents are upset over word that the school's International Baccalaureate program will be ending.
Parents said teachers were told on Wednesday by principal Karen Hollis.
She said eventually the principal spoke with parents through a ZOOM meeting.
Current juniors and seniors will be able to finish the program, it was stated.
Ooltewah High started the program in 2013. The only other school in the county with an IB program is Signal Mountain High School.
A Facebook page has been started by those against the move.
Parents oppose to dropping the program at Ooltewah High have been given five minutes to address the School Board on Thursday afternoon.
Principal Hollis said in a letter to parents:
"I am writing to inform you that due to schedule changes and current staffing resources, Ooltewah High School plans to replace the International Baccalaureate program with Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered by the College Board and early post-secondary opportunities beginning next year for all students at Ooltewah High School. The IB program will continue to run for SENIORS (current juniors) next year, closing out the program the year after (2023-24).
OHS has offered both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses for the past 10 years. Both programs have delivered excellent results over the years. However, the two programs essentially compete for the same students. As a result, offering both programs dilute what either program can accomplish. Two such programs limit what we can reasonably offer in our other college prep programs. We do not have the resources to keep operating both of these great programs. As a result, we have decided that after our present IB juniors graduate next year, we will offer only the College Board’s AP (Advanced Placement) program.
Why AP?
The biggest difference between AP and IB is access and availability. Compared to the AP curriculum, the IB program is relatively small in the US. Fewer than 1,000 US schools offer the IB program while more than 20,000 high schools include AP course work as an option. At Ooltewah High School, 234 students are currently enrolled in an AP course while only 61students are currently enrolled in IB classes with 32 students projected to obtain an IB diploma. Just like IB, Advanced Placement (AP) classes allow students to earn college and high school credit simultaneously. Essentially, AP courses are college-level courses taught by high school teachers. AP students do projects, complete quizzes, take tests, and do readings just like with any other class. The biggest difference is the course’s challenge level.
All AP courses have the same end goal as IB--to prepare students for college-even awarding credit for exemplary performances. While rigorous, AP courses are designed to help students earn credit on the AP exams. Unlike IB, an OHS student need not be enrolled in an entire program of study. If they are gifted in music for instance, they can enroll in courses such as AP MUSIC Theory or other such class. Ooltewah High School will offer the following courses next year with more coming the year after.
| European History |
Biology |
| US History |
Physics |
| Government |
Chemistry |
| Microeconomics |
Calculus |
| Language Composition |
Studio Art |
| Literature |
Music Appreciation |
| Psychology |
|
Besides the amazing preparation AP courses afford, they can also save students a lot of money. Typically, many colleges award three credits for a good score (4 or 5) on an AP test (some colleges award even 3’s). Since the average college credit costs $594 each, students can save about $1,688 per every AP course successfully completed. For AP Language courses, which are typically awarded more credit per test, students could save two or three times that amount.
Students will receive five (5) extra points to their overall grade when the course and test are completed. This could result in a student scoring higher than 100%, resulting in a higher GPA. This GPA boost could assist with securing scholarships and acceptance. The majority of colleges review student’s GPA and ACT scores when making decision for admission.
College's love seeing AP classes on student transcripts. They show that students challenged themselves, handling a more rigorous curriculum. Unlike high school grades, AP tests are standard across the nation. Students take the same exact test and receive standard scores . It is easier for them to compare AP scores than it is to compare GPAs, which have different requirements at every high school.
What are our Options?
- Seniors – Our current seniors who are in the IB Program and on track will graduate with an IB Diploma this year.
- Juniors- Current juniors will be able to continue in the OHS IB program next year, with the opportunity to graduate with an IB diploma.
- Sophomores - Any current sophomore, who is currently fulfilling the prerequisites for the IB program, and desires to continue on the IB track, will be accepted as a transfer student to Signal Mountain High School. (transportation not provided)
- Freshman- Any current freshman, who is currently fulfilling the prerequisites for the IB program, and desires to continue on the IB track, may apply next year for a School of Choice option to Signal Mountain High School.
- Hardships- If your student is currently on a hardship for IB and is not interested in continuing the IB program, they will be allowed to remain at Ooltewah High School.
I wanted to make sure you were aware and informed of the changes at Ooltewah High School. Thank you for your continued support!
Karen Hollis
Parent Aprile Nielsen said, "As concerned parents of students who are in the IB (International Baccalaureate) program at Ooltewah High, we have partnered with the students in their efforts to save their program from being disbanded.
"This program is a premier, rare opportunity for students to engage in a world recognized college credit program that is only offered in two schools in all of Hamilton County. If this program is cut, the only option the students have is to commute to the program at Signal Mountain as no transportation is being offered.
"As parents, we are outraged that this top tier program was stripped away from our children with no warning, discussion, or collaborative efforts. We disagree with the administration’s decision to cut the program.
"Students in IB who complete the program and gain college credit at OHS is in the 70% range, while students who participate in the AP program at OHS and gain college credit are in the 40% range. Our students want to retain a program that has proven to be more successful in helping them gain college credits.
"This program at Ooltewah is a Future Ready Institute (choice school) and benefits students from all of HCSD. There are families who recently entered the school lottery with this program as their top choice and are now locked out of finding an alternative.
"The IB diploma greatly increases a student’s acceptance rate to not only our local collages, but to the top 25 schools in the nation as well. Also for some out of country students in our community, it is the only program recognized internationally.
"It is not a realistic option for students from the IB program at Ooltewah to transfer to Signal Mountain HS to continue a program they have already started. No transportation is being provided for them. This is the least accessible school to the majority of families in Hamilton Co, making this offering impossible to most families in the school district.
"We are petitioning the School Board and Superintendents to save this program that means so much to our students and does such great things for our community."