Our 7th through 12th grades are referred to as The International Academy at VI Montessori School.  Our 7th and 8th grades have been around for some time, having their start in 1997.  The idea of adding a High School began to take shape in 2005 with the goal of providing our families with an enriching educational opportunity for their children all the way through High School.  Soon after, the search began for an educational method or doctrine that would provide a compelling alternative to traditional schooling.  Just as the Montessori program provides a unique and effective alternative in the lower grades, it was critical that we find something just as exemplary for the Upper School.    In 2006, the recomendation to pursue implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme was approved by our VIMSIA community.  The formidable efforts of our Board of Trustees, our staff, our students, and our parents have paid off.  As of April 2009, we are an Official IB World School.  We will be offering a fully accredited  IB Diploma Programme to our 11th and 12th graders beginning August 2009.  We are a Candidate School for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 7th through 10th grades, and are already teaching using the MYP methodology.  Our teachers all well into their training, which is a continuous process under IB.  We expect MYP authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva by Fall of 2010. 

 

While we have set ourselves apart as the only IB World School in the USVI, we are also accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  All of our graduating Seniors will receive a Middle States accredited High School Diploma.  Those students that wish to pursue the more vigorous IB Diploma Programme, will also receive an IB Diploma - which is highly regarded at the University level.  Our IB program can also work much like traditional Advanced Placement courses, where a student can chose to opt out of the full Diploma Programme, but take advanced courses of their choice - for which they will receive an IB Certificate signifying the advanced studies.

 

Please click here to learn more about the International Baccalaureate Organization and the DP and MYP programs being offered at VIMSIA.