Original article by Sharon Noguchi in San Jose Mercury News.
Capping years of planning, Del Mar High School in San Jose has won authorization as an International Baccalaureate World School.
The designation means that Del Mar will join a network of schools offering rigorous, advanced classes equivalent to college-level courses. Students who enroll in IB. courses will earn an additional point to their weighted grade-point average and may receive college credit if they pass IB. exams.
The mission of the International Baccalaureate program is "to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect." The network includes more than 4,000 schools worldwide.
Among other IB. programs in the area are Horace Mann Elementary, Burnett Middle Academy, San Jose High and Andrew Hill High in San Jose; Lexington Elementary in Los Gatos; Borel Middle and Capuchino High in San Mateo; the German-American International School in Menlo Park; and Scotts Valley High.
Del Mar will celebrate its designation from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday at the Del Mar front entrance, 1224 Del Mar Ave., San Jose.
Del Mar, with 1,100 students, is part of the Campbell Union High School District,
Contact Sharon Noguchi at 408-271-3775. Follow her at Twitter.com/noguchionk12.