Westlake Academy News
International Baccalaureate Authorization
International Baccalaureate Authorization
November 2008~In March of 2008, Westlake Academy heard the wonderful news that it had received the final authorization needed, the Diploma Program. This announcement made the Academy the fifth school in the United States to have all three International Baccalaureate programmes and the only school in the State of Texas. Since this time, one other school has joined this prestigious honor roll.
Even with five other schools offering all three programmes, Westlake Academy still remains very unique. The five other schools " The Dwight School in NYC; Washington International School in DC; Christ Church Episcopal School in South Carolina; Louisiana State University Laboratory School; and the Carrollwood Day School in Florida" all have rigorous entrance exams and admission policies. Westlake Academy does not, and cannot, have an entrance exam. All of the other schools (including the university lab school) charge tuition and fees, going as high as $32,200 a year at The Dwight School. Westlake Academy operates on the much-less-than-equitable charter school funding from the state and on the generosity of the parents who give an average of $1,100 a year per student. This year alone the parents gave a generous $424,000 to help meet this operational shortfall.
The five schools that have achieved this distinction and their tuition are:
(Based on information from their respective web sites)
The Dwight School: founded in 1872 by Dr Julius Sachs, also founder of Goldman, Sachs and the College Board ($29,900 - $30,000, plus admission fees). Total number of students in the 2008-09 school year 410.
Washington International School: 98 nations represented by faculty, students and parents ($24,150 - $26,930, plus admission fees). Total number of students in the 2008-09 school year 776.
Christ Church Episcopal School: 50 year old school, receives help from the Church ($11,665 $14,995, plus admission fees). Total number of students in the 2008-09 school year 998.
LSU Laboratory School: ($3,850 plus admission fees; with help from Louisiana State University). Total number of students in the 2008-09 school year 1342.
Carrollwood Day School: School began in 1981 and began offering the PYP programme in 2005. Received MYP and DP authorizations in the summer of 2008. ($8,600 - $12,400 plus admission fees). Total number of students in the 2008-09 school year 739.