New IB Coordinator at Wooster Seeks to Continue Excellence
Reno, NV (March 10, 2011) - Wooster High School's mounting International Baccalaureate (IB) program consistently climbs to new heights every year, which is an ongoing achievement that incoming IB coordinator Josh Rosenbloom intends to continue now that he has been hired for the job.
"Ever since I've been at Wooster, I have been teaching IB classes and have a very strong belief that IB is a good opportunity for students," Rosenbloom said. "Wooster is a very strong school and I believe strongly in the IB program. It seemed to be a great opportunity to help Wooster progress and have an impact on a strong scale."
Rosenbloom grew up in Nevada's Douglas County and received his bachelor's and master's degrees and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language certification from the University of Nevada, Reno. He has been an educator at Wooster since 2001, taking a year off in 2003 to teach English in South Africa. Currently, he teaches Advanced Placement Spanish.
Wooster Principal Debra Biersdorff said she looks forward to Rosenbloom's IB leadership next year when the program is expecting its largest enrollment ever since its inception more than 10 years ago. About 170 incoming students are anticipated to attend Wooster for IB.
"IB has had a tremendous impact in preparing students to become global thinkers and engaged citizens in our community, our state and nation," Biersdorff said. "They are well-equipped to handle the challenges they will face at prestigious colleges and universities as well as the challenges of tomorrow. I am confident that Josh will ensure Wooster's IB program continues to flourish in serving the needs of the students of the Washoe County School District."
In 2010, Wooster ranked 174th on Newsweek's list of 1,500 best U.S. high schools, due largely to its offerings of this advanced IB curriculum.
The International Baccalaureate program offers rigorous, integrated classes that prepare students for college, leadership and personal accountability. Students enrolled in IB can earn college credit by taking exams toward the end of their junior or senior year. At Wooster, students can choose to commit to a four-year plan at the end of which they can receive the IB diploma. To obtain the diploma, they must take exams in six subjects, write an original 4,000-word essay and perform community service. Students also can elect to receive certificates by choosing to attend one or more IB classes of their choice.
Wooster's IB program has 410 students, from freshmen to seniors, enrolled this year. Approximately 95 percent of these students come from outside Wooster's zone to attend classes, even attracting several youth outside the Reno-Sparks area and other states.
On June 16, Rosenbloom will assume the IB coordinator position from Daryl DiBitonto, who has served in this capacity since 2003. DiBitonto has been hired as the headmaster at Sage Ridge School, an independent, college preparatory campus in Reno.
"I see the IB program building on the tradition of excellence and where we are now and taking it to greater heights," DiBitonto said. "I'm also delighted and thrilled that Josh, as a Spanish teacher, is going to be taking over as coordinator."
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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit: www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89520
