International Baccalaureate program discontinued at Riverside Secondary [Video]

Around 200 students walked out of class at Riverside Secondary School to protest a recent decision by Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) trustees to cut a specialized diploma program offering an enriched learning stream.

On Nov. 5, GECDSB trustees voted to make several cuts to bring down a nearly $6.5 million deficit. Among the programs cut was the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

The IB program is a globally recognized education system that challenges students with a rigorous curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, research and intercultural understanding.

Students who complete the program can earn an IB diploma, highly regarded by universities worldwide, in addition to their high school diploma.

The only two GECDSB high schools offering IB programs are Riverside Secondary School and Leamington District Secondary School.

“I was in tears that night when they told me they would cancel it, because before joining IB, I felt no use to …