Curriculum
A unique college preparatory
education
All Rancho Prep students study core subjects in the humanities and
sciences. As freshman and sophomore students are enrolled in a
curriculum designed to prepare them for the rigorous International
Baccalaureate program they will enter as juniors and seniors.
The goals of the Preparatory School academic program include:
- A sound, challenging education and thorough college preparation
for every student.
- An integrated, cumulative study of the humanities, providing
students with cultural touchstones; shared experiences; and the
reading, writing and research skills required to excel at the
collegiate level.
- A wide range of course offerings allowing students to
individualize their plan of study according to academic goals and
interests. This philosophy extends to our development of a growing
list of electives designed to accommodate student input –
currently this includes courses in business, marketing, physical
education, and the fine and performing arts.
- A community enriched by individuals who are highly accomplished
in a diverse range of disciplines and share a commitment to the
pursuit of academic excellence.
The International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme:
Rancho Prep is the only private high school in the greater Phoenix
area to offer the IB Diploma Programme and received accreditation
in March of 2010 following a rigorous application process. The IB
Diploma Programme is an elite, academically challenging curriculum
designed to prepare high school students for success at the
collegiate level beyond. The IB program emphasizes critical
thinking, international mindedness, and a depth of learning that
focuses on the “why” rather than the
“what.” Courses offered at both high-level and
standard-level allow students to customize their course of study
around individual interests and future goals.
The IB Programme is widely regarded as the "gold standard" of
education worldwide and is offered in 138 countries. IB teachers
undergo extensive training in the IB philosophy and strategies and
the Diploma Programme is recognized by the most prestigious
colleges and universities, including Harvard and MIT. The IB
Programme requires a two-year commitment to a particular course of
study, an extended essay project, a minimum number of hours of
community service, and final examinations taken with the intent of
earning credit at the university level. Pursuit of the IB Programme
was a natural choice for Rancho Prep as the philosophy and goals of
the program inherently align with those of Rancho Solano Private
Schools. Since the inception of the Prep school, ninth and tenth
graders have undertaken a challenging academic curriculum designed
to prepare them for entrance into the IB as juniors. Rancho Prep
will graduate the first class of IB Diploma students in 2012.
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