Written by Valparaiso High School Principal Reid Amones
In high schools across Indiana and throughout the nation, students are becoming increasingly better prepared for life after high school. Whether those plans include post-secondary education, the military, or going directly into the workforce, high school graduates are finding greater competition for a select number of spots and need to acquire the skills which will allow them to be successful and separate them from others. To help assist students with those preparations, Valparaiso High School offers three distinct programs that build academic competency, citizenship awareness, and personal confidence.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme has been in existance at Valparaiso High School for close to 20 years, making VHS one of the longest standing programs in the state. The core of the IB Diploma Programme includes students conducting a thorough research investigation in an extended essay, two semesters of the course Theory of Knowledge, and the completion of their CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) project. These requirements help prepare students for independent study at the university level, allows them to question what they know or believe, and makes them more aware of community needs with application. In addition to the core requirements, students must also complete and test in six academic areas representing all major disciplines. This well-rounded and rigorous curriculum has proven to be challenging, yet rewarding for those students who pursue the International Diploma. Students may also enroll in portions of the program and receive a certificate for those courses completed.
The Advanced Placement (AP) program is an expanding program at VHS with new courses being added almost yearly. Students enrolled in an AP course will take an AP exam in the late spring with the hopes of scoring at least a 3 on a 5 point scale. Approximately 300 students will take nearly 600 exams this spring at VHS, which almost doubles those numbers from just five years ago. The College Board, which administers the AP program also offers an AP International Diploma for those students who pass exams in five academic areas from a pre-determined list of courses and sends at least one score to a university outside of the United States.
Valparaiso High School works collaboratively with local colleges and universities to enroll students in dual credit, or concurrent enrollment, courses which award college credit and high school credit simultaneously. Students have found great advantages to taking coursework in this manner as it is a great savings versus taking the same course on campus as well as enjoying the challenges of college coursework while still in the comforts of their high school setting. This year, over 300 students at VHS will earn over 3,800 college credits with our partnerships. VHS is also one of a select few high schools to enter into the 1+3 agreement with Purdue North Central where a student, within four majors, can complete their first year at PNC while attending their senior year at VHS and would complete their final three years on the PNC campus.
Valparaiso High School is expanding offerings to students so that they can be better prepared for life after high school, whichever direction they may go. Studies have shown that when students take a rigorous and meaningful high school curriculum, they are more prepared for both college and the workforce. Therefore, we encourage all students to pursue any of these three programs of study.
