Introduction, Purpose, and Profile
In accordance with the International Baccalaureate Organization, the purpose of this document is to:
- Communicate the expectations for students to acquire language growth while attending the International Baccalaureate at Bartow High School
- Provide guidelines by defining the language instruction policies and services offered in context with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
The International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High School invites students from a large population of medium to small cities and rural areas in central Florida. The predominant language spoken is English, with Spanish as the second most common language. In addition, other languages spoken by students at home include Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Bisaya, Cantonese, Dutch, Efik, French, Fuzhounese, German, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Lao, Latin, Malayalam, Mandarin (Chinese), Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Our curriculum is delivered in English, except for Language B classes, which are delivered in target languages. Languages offered as Language B are Spanish and German.
Upon admission to the 9th grade students choose a Language B and will continue in that language throughout the four-year program.
Multiple supports are available for students whose mother tongue is not English. ESOL services are available, including periodic assessments, translation of school documents, interpreters for parents, and special English literacy classes in the Bartow High School program. Our teachers meet the ESOL endorsement requirements for their specific content areas as set by the Florida Department of Education.