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Saddleback High School joins elite ranks of International Baccalaureate (IB) World Class schools

Rigorous program to help SAUSD close achievement gap with Latino and low-income students

(April 21, 2017) – Saddleback High School has been named an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Class school, a prestigious honor awarded to only select schools across the globe.

Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, Saddleback students will begin taking coursework that will result in the awarding of an IB Diploma upon graduation. With this diploma, students will be immediately recognized as having received a rigorous world-class education that has prepared them for the most competitive higher education institutions in the world.

“I am proud of my staff and their commitment to our kids,” said Principal Eddie Bustamante. “Their hard work and dedication made all this possible. This is not only a great opportunity for our kids but for all Santa Ana students who want to experience and be part of this amazing IB program. Saddleback World IB high school welcomes all.”

Ninety-four percent of Saddleback High School’s student body is Latino, and 96 percent is socioeconomically disadvantaged. Because IB is an extremely rigorous program, it will help the Santa Ana Unified School District close the achievement gap with Latino and low-income students.

“We continue to create opportunities for our students to thrive and succeed,” said Dr. Stefanie Phillips, Superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District. “That is evident in our substantial increase in our graduation rates, percentage of students going to college, and our approval to become a part of the prestigious IB program at Saddleback. I am extremely proud and excited for the Saddleback Community and the excellence that the IB program will bring to our students.”

Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation that offers four highly-respected programs of international education – including the IB Diploma Programme – that develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills that students need to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.

In order to teach IB programs, schools must be authorized by the IB organization. Every school authorized to offer IB programs is known as an IB World School.

The Diploma Programme curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the Diploma Programme core, comprising theory of knowledge, creativity, activity, service and the extended essay. Through the Diploma Programme core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service.

Karen Martinez, a sophomore at Saddleback High School, is among the students who plan to enroll in the IB program going forward.

“I feel like it is a program that will prepare me for the future as well as to open my mind to things that are going on around the world,” she said. “I feel like this program will help me be prepared for college and help me be a better candidate for the colleges I want to be accepted into.”

Saddleback’s certification is valid for five years, upon which time IB will review the school’s program.