Baccalaureate School for Global Education: A Comprehensive Overview

The Baccalaureate School for Global Education (BSGE) is a public high school located in Astoria, Queens, New York City. Established in 2002, BSGE distinguishes itself by offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to all its students, rather than the standard state curriculum. This commitment to global education and rigorous academics has earned BSGE recognition as a leading high school, not only in New York but also nationally.

A Unique Educational Approach

BSGE stands out as the first public school in New York City where all students prepare for the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, a qualification widely recognized by universities in over 100 countries. The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer both the MYP (IB Middle Years Programme) and the IB Diploma Programme. This program is globally renowned for excellence. With over 5,000 IB World Schools (IBWS) worldwide, our global school community develops well-rounded, caring, knowledgeable and self-motivated students. The beauty of the IB is that it’s a global education community.

Serving a diverse population primarily from Queens, the Baccalaureate School for Global Studies combines serious learning with a laid-back atmosphere. Kids whirl through typical high school requirements by the end of 10th grade, then take demanding upper level courses.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

The IB program at BSGE is designed to cultivate inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The PYP marks the start of a lifelong journey. It develops caring and culturally aware children aged 3 - 12 to become active participants in their own learning. Building a solid academic foundation, the MYP develops students’ confidence in managing their own learning and making connections between their learning in the classroom and the real world. A future-ready programme that builds students’ inquiring mindset, fosters their desire to learn, and prepares them to excel at their careers and lead meaningful lives. A unique programme for students in their final school years. It equips them with future-ready skills and prepares them to follow their career pathways-combining academic subjects with their own professional interests.

In grades 7 through 10 students prepare for the New York State Regents exams and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, which includes 100 hours of community service and a creative personal project. On the day of our visit the 10th grade class was off to the main branch of the New York Public Library with their advisors to do research for their projects-past topics of which include "My Ecuadorian Culture," "How to Make a Thermoelectric Cooler" and "Animation: My Future."

Read also: A Guide to the IB Programme

Students in grades 11 and 12 study six subject areas: chemistry or biology, math, History of the Americas, visual arts or technology, English and another language (Spanish, Mandarin or French). Other features include a Theory of Knowledge course, 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) and a research essay of up to 4000-words. CAS might involve volunteering in a library or tutoring, exploring the arts and getting involved in a sport.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

In addition to the IB program, BSGE offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, allowing students to pursue college-level studies in specific subjects. These courses include:

Algebra II (Advanced Math)
Chemistry (Advanced Science)
Physics (Advanced Science)

Course List

Econ/Gov (International Baccalaureate)
IB Biology SL
IB Chemistry SL
IB Computer Science HL
IB English HL
IB History HL
IB Mandarin HL
IB Mandarin SL
IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL
IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation HL
IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL
IB Spanish ab initio
IB Spanish SL
IB Theory of Knowledge
IB Visual Arts HL
World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

A Focus on Arts and Culture

BSGE recognizes the importance of arts education in developing well-rounded individuals. Each year, students take an art course that emphasizes the formal qualities of art, media techniques, artistic research, and personal expression. The curriculum is designed to align with the goals of the IB program, encouraging students to explore ideas and issues that are relevant to their lives.

The art courses culminate in the HL (Higher Level) IB Visual Arts course in 11th grade, offering students the opportunity to create artwork guided by a central idea that is clarified and developed over the course of the program. These themes for student work should reflect students' own authentic interests and be relevant to their lives and experiences. The IB Visual Arts Course is an essential part of BSGE's IB program.

Art Courses

General Visual Arts
Traditional and Studio Art

Extracurricular Activities

BSGE offers a wide array of extracurricular activities to cater to diverse student interests. These include:

Sports

Boys PSAL Sports: Basketball, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Table Tennis
Girls PSAL Sports: Basketball, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball
PSAL Team Other Sports: Dance, Running, Table Tennis

Clubs and Organizations

BSGE boasts a vibrant club scene, offering students opportunities to explore their passions and develop leadership skills. Some of the clubs and organizations include:

BaccRag (school newspaper)
Boxing club
Creative Writing Club
Crochet Club
Debate Team
Global Glimpse
Helping Hands community service network
Model U.N.
Out & Bacc hiking club
Red, Red Cross club
Robotics Team
Student Government
TDF Wendy Wasserstein Project
Yoga
Many other student clubs/organizations

A Supportive Learning Environment

BSGE fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to take risks and explore their potential. The school is located in a former pocketbook factory, an inviting space, where light streams in through lofty windows.Many staff wear jeans and students are trusted to keep cell phones out of sight. Adding to the informal feel, kids carry coats and backpacks from class to class. Music wafts out of the teen-friendly college office filled with posters. Seniors can go out for lunch if they have permission from parents.

The school day runs from 8 am to 2:20 pm. Up to one third of the 7th grade class and some upperclassmen stay for another hour for extra help or simply to work away from distractions. Students said they have between one and three hours of homework a night. "You can’t be lazy," said an 8th grader.

In most classrooms, students sat in groups of four at square tables. They love discussions, said Mike Mehan, a math teacher. He and a colleague said they employ mini explorative projects, such as cutting up strips of numbers written in scientific notation and asking kids to order and convert them into standard notation. On the other hand, an 11th and 12th grade math class was entirely on Power Point.

One challenge is bringing incoming 9th graders up to speed, said teachers. “We are a 7th through 12th grade school so those students who came in earlier have all gotten that pre-IB teaching, which is really heavy in reading and writing,” said a staff member in a phone interview. A number of the staff speak Spanish and try to meet the needs of those who speak no English at home. One former staffer mentioned that the school's small size poses social challenges for some teens.

Read also: Benefits of the IBDP in Singapore

College Admissions and Support

BSGE provides comprehensive college counseling services to guide students through the application process. Peter Wilson, long-time college advisor, works closely with students: "If I don’t see kids for a week I go find them," he said. Rising seniors gather in the summer for six weeks to work on college applications and essays. All graduates in 2017 were accepted to four-year colleges. Acceptances have included the University of Michigan, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Barnard and Sarah Lawrence. About half the seniors receive IB diplomas. More than 90 percent of the graduating class earns the full IB diploma and students have earned more than 20 million in scholarships, according to Wilson.

Special Education

The school has made an effort to increase its special education population in recent years.

Nearby Schools

BSGE is located in a vibrant educational community, with numerous other high schools in the vicinity. These include:

Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School
Energy Tech High School
Academy of American Studies
Newcomers High School
Long Island City High School
Aviation Career and Technical High School
Middle College High School at Laguardia Community
International High School at Laguardia Community
Academy of Finance and Enterprise
High School of Applied Communications
Bard High School Early College Queens
William Cullen Bryant High School
Queens Vocational and Technical High School
Robert F Wagner Junior Secondary School-Arts and Technology
Information Technology High School
Young Womens Leadership School
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Vanguard High School
Manhattan International High School
Urban Academy Laboratory High School
Talent Unlimited High School
Academy for Careers In Television and Film
Art and Design High School
High School For Climate Justice (The)
Judith S Kaye High School
Renaissance Charter School
Innovation Charter High School
Dream Charter School
East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School
Park East High School
A-Tech High School
Northside Charter High School
Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics
Maspeth High School
Esperanza Preparatory Academy
The Heritage School
Manhattan Academy for Arts and Languages
Murray Hill Academy
Unity Center for Urban Technologies
Central Park East High School
Newtown High School
International High School for Health Sciences
Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis High School
Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts
Voyages Preparatory
Pan American International High School
Civic Leadership Academy
Progress High School for Professional Careers
East Williamsburg Scholars Academy
High School of Enterprise, Business and Technology
Harlem Village Academy Leadership Charter School
American Sign Language & English Secondary School
Brooklyn Preparatory High School
Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design
Williamsburg Preparatory School
Grover Cleveland High School
Baruch College Campus High School
Young Women's Leadership School of Brooklyn
Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School
Harlem Prep Charter School
Williamsburg High School Of Art And Technology (The)
Brooklyn Latin School
Lyons Community School
School of the Future High School
Special Music School
Professional Performing Arts High School
Innovation Diploma Plus
Global Learning Collaborative
Urban Assembly School for Green Careers
Frank Mccourt High School
High School for Health Professions and Human Service
Institute for Collaborative Education
High School for Environmental Studies
Fiorello H Laguardia High School
High School for Law, Advocacy and Community Justic
High School of Arts and Technology
Manhattan/Hunter Science High School
Urban Assembly School for Media Studies
Maxine Greene High School for Imaginative Inquiry
Independence High School
Satellite Academy High School
Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School
Business of Sports School
Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology
Stephen T Mather Building Arts and Craftmanship High School
East Side Community School
West End Secondary School
Gramercy Arts High School
High School for Language and Diplomacy
International High School at Union Square
Union Square Academy for Health Sciences
Academy for Software Engineering
Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts - Harlem
Manhattan Bridges High School
Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction
Food and Finance High School
High School of Hospitality Management
Facing History School
Manhattan Village Academy
Opportunity Charter School
Young Women's Leadership School
Wadleigh Performing and Visual Arts
Frederick Douglass Academy II Secondary School
Williamsburg Charter High School
Bard High School Early College
Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School
Beacon High School
Urban Assembly School for Global Commerce
The Clinton School
High School of Fashion Industries
New Explorations Into Science, Tech and Math High School
Harlem Renaissance High School
El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice
Capital Preparatory (Cp) Harlem Charter School
Juan Morel Campos Secondary School
International Community High School
Harvest Collegiate High School
Harvey Milk High School
American Dream Charter School
Lower East Side Preparatory High School
Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers
Mott Haven Community High School
Hero High School
Cascades High School
Forsythe Satellite Academy
High School for Arts and Business
All City Leadership Secondary School
Landmark High School
Humanities Preparatory Academy
James Baldwin School-A School for Expeditionary Lr
Manhattan Business Academy
Hudson High School of Learning Technologies
Quest To Learn
NYC Lab High School for Collaborative Studies
NYC Museum School
Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters
South Bronx Preparatory - A College Board School
The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology
Bushwick Leaders High School for Academic Excellence
Democracy Preparatory Charter School
Academy of Urban Planning
Brooklyn School for Social Justice
Academy for Environmental Leadership
Brooklyn School for Math and Research
Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy Charter School

Recognition and Rankings

BSGE has consistently been recognized for its academic excellence. In 2018, it was ranked #9 in the nation and #1 in New York.

Key Information

Type: Public International Baccalaureate high school
Established: 2002
Location: 34-12 36th Avenue, Astoria, New York 11106, United States
Principal: Dr.
School Number: 580
Oversight: New York City Department of Education
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17.4:1 (as of 2023)
Enrollment: 530 students (as of 2023)
Languages Offered: French, Mandarin, Spanish
Diploma Endorsements: International Baccalaureate, Math, NYS Seal of Biliteracy, Science

tags: #baccalaureate #school #for #global #education #curriculum