Fifteen teachers from the Hamilton Middle School International Preparatory Magnet (IPM) spent their weekend at an intensive training session in Massachusetts, one step on the road to having the IPM program officially linked to the International Baccalaureate Organization. 

The teachers spent all day Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 26 and 27) at the International Baccalaureate North America Diploma Middle Years And Primary Years Workshop in Danvers, Massachusetts - without missing a day of teaching at their school in southeast Denver.

There are 1,365 authorized International Baccalaureate world schools in 112 countries as of Sept, 30, 2002, including the “IB” program at George Washington High School.  The Hamilton program was designed to prepare students for George Washington High School’s “IB” program, but it has not yet received official “IB” status. 

The International Baccalaureate Organization’s Diploma Programme was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study designed for highly motivated secondary school students aged 16 to 19.  The program has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to the world’s leading universities.

The International Baccalaureate Organization also offers a Middle Years Program that provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills for students aged 11-16 years.

Hamilton Middle School principal Reina Gutierrez said attending the weekend training session is one step on the road to being certified and recognized as an official IB school.   “We follow the fundamentals of the program,” she said, “and hope to do what it takes to be recognized by this program, which excels at offering students very high expectations for learning and achievement.”

Hamilton teachers who attended the training were Nina Barber, Sharon Dacotah, Kathy Eckhardt, Kris Farris, Daryl Fengler, Barbara Fettner, Gail Holmes, Rita Kyker, Joanne Lander, Karen Libby, Emily Pringle, Julie Roberts, Rhonda Urbach, and Doug Wilhelm.  Assistant Principal Sharon Ioka accompanied them.

Hamilton Middle School is located at 8600 E. Dartmouth Ave.  The school telephone number is 303-755-1267.