Editors Note: This is a developing story. The story will be updated as it develops. 

In a ParentSquare notice sent by Assistant Principal Denise Fowler on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Principal Mark Sims announced that Richland School District 2’s choice program will no longer include the International Baccalaureate, or ‘IB’, program following the 2022-2023 school year. 

IB is a rigorous academic program that allows juniors and seniors to earn college credits through two-year-long courses. Students currently enrolled in the program will be able to complete their courses, but no new students will be allowed to join through the choice program.

The school administration is planning a meeting for parents of freshmen and sophomores in the Horizon magnet, the honors program that has served as a prerequisite for IB, to discuss it’s future next week.

A $6.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education funded the first three years of the IB program at Richland Northeast High School, EL Wright Middle School, and Windsor Elementary School in an effort to create a rigorous academic curriculum. Richland Northeast was established as an IB World School in March 2012 according to the International Baccalaureate website.

“Since that time, additional opportunities for students to have this experience have become available through our districtwide AVID strategies, Advanced Placement courses, and Dual Enrollment option,” Sims said in the ParentSquare notice.