Program brings worldly view to Rio Mesa
'It educates the whole child.' - Lori Wrout teacher

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers INTERNATIONAL CLASS- Rio Mesa High School teacher Lori Wrout, left, goes over paperwork regarding the high school's new International Baccalaureate program with fellow teacher Shi Young Kim on Tuesday. The program, which gives students a global perspective on a number of courses, is only one of two available in Ventura County.

Starting next fall, Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard will offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to juniors and seniors.

Rio Mesa is the second high school in Ventura County to offer the program. Newbury Park High School has offered the IB Programme since 1996.

Students will learn to take a global perspective in studying literature, chemistry, math, history, social sciences, the arts and a second language.

Some leading universities, such as Harvard and Oxford, take note of an International Baccalaureate Diploma when admitting students.

"What a great opportunity for our students," Principal Rene Rickard said.

Oxnard Union High School District trustee Socorro Lopez Hanson and Judy Warner, nowretired assistant superintendent, suggested in 2005 that the school add the program.

It took more than a year for the 14 teachers and other school employees who would be involved in the program to complete the thousands of pages needed for the pre-application and application forms.

An IB evaluation team visited the school in September. On Jan. 8, Rio Mesa was notified that it had been accepted as an IB World School and could offer the program in the fall.

"It educates the whole child," said English teacher Lori Wrout, who spearheaded the yearlong effort. "All the teachers are excited."

Students can begin signing up for the program in midFebruary.

- Michelle Knight