Fairfax Elementary Earns Rare IB Designation

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Fairfax Elementary has been named an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Fairfax is now the fifth school in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools to earn IB status.

“This is such an important accomplishment for Fairfax and for our district as a whole, as it means we’ve achieved our goal of having five authorized IB schools by 2020,” said CH-UH Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby. “We believe strongly that the IB program provides our schools with a comprehensive framework for an academic experience that benefits every student. Increasing these opportunities for our students is a critical part of our strategic plan for the district. ”

Fairfax Elementary is led by Principal Quatrice James and the CH-UH IB Program is led by IB Coordinator Leslie Garrett. The other IB-authorized schools in the CH-UH district are Canterbury Elementary, Fairfax Elementary, Roxboro Elementary, Monticello Middle and Roxboro Middle.

The IB World School program focuses on developing well-rounded students, with independent learning skills being a primary goal. Students in IB programs have historically outperformed their peers in non-IB schools in subjects like math, reading and writing.

“Becoming an IB World School allows us the opportunity to plan innovative and relevant units of study,” said Quatrice James. “Our educators are working with a curriculum that is engaging, challenging and transdisciplinary, all while helping our students become independent learners.”

Canterbury, Fairfax and Roxboro elementary schools are three of only 19 schools in Ohio to offer the Primary Years Programme for IB. Monticello and Roxboro are two of only 11 schools in Ohio to offer the IB Middle Years Programme.