Charter Schools Anyone?? :D

I have been doing a lot of research on whether 2 enroll our kids in a Charter School or not.  I am very IMPRESSED by the results of what I've found.  There are a good amount of Charter Schools here in Utah.  They only accept a very small amount of students into their schools.  They are focused on smaller class sizes & a very CREATIVE way of learning.  I love it!!  :D  We have put in an online application 4 our 3 girls 4 this next coming up school year & are very EXCITED 4 them 2 be able 2 start on this new venture.  

We submitted applications to 2 of the Charter Schools here in the Jordan School District.  1 of them, I'm leaning more towards then the other because of the fact that it is an International Baccalaureate school for both elementary & middle school levels.  I had no idea what an International Baccalaureate school was until researching about Charter Schools.  It's AMAZING!!  There are more than 1,000 IB schools in more than 100 countries.  The curriculum is set by a board of international educators in Geneva, Switzerland.

"The IB aims 2 develop inquiring, knowledgeable & caring young people who help 2 CREATE a BETTER & more PEACEFUL world through intercultural understanding & respect.  To this end the organization works with schools, governments & international organizations 2 develop challenging programmes of international education & rigorous assessment.  These programmes encourage students across the world 2 become active, compassionate & lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

IB students are required 2 study & be tested in English, Social Science, Math, Science, a foreign language & an IB elective their junior & senior years.  In addition, IB students are required 2 take a theory of knowledge class, participate in 150 hours of community involvement & write an investigative research paper.  When successfully completing all the requirements, students are eligible 2 receive a diploma that is recognized internationally."

Isn't that AMAZING??  I seriously didn't even know that this was a POSSIBILITY!!  :D  And I also just found out in all my research that Bingham High School, which is the high school we plan on having our kids attend due 2 a BIG factor in them having an AWESOME sports program, will also be an IB school come 2011.  Plenty of time before our eldest child reaches high school.  We're so GRATEFUL & so EXCITED 4 these ABSOLUTELY EXTRAORDINARY opportunities that are right here in our backyard.  :D  We definitely don't take advantage of the fact that we live in this GREAT country filled with OPPORTUNITY @ every corner!!  How can we not be THRILLED, EXHILARATED, ELECTRIFIED, ENRAPTURED, INTOXICATED & just down right FIRED UP 2 strive 2 be BETTER!!  We have so much 2 be GRATEFUL 4 & as Pres. Uchtdorf counseled this past weekend, "May we not stand on the sidelines & be spectators."  

Our CHILDREN are OUR FUTURE.  And they deserve every POSSIBILITY out there 2 be able 2 REACH 4 the STARS & CREATE A HIGHER LIFE THRU HIGHER LEARNING.  :D