St. Dominic High School earns strong marks in 2026 IB Diploma Program evaluation

SOUTH REWARD--St. Dominic High School has received strong results from its 2026 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme evaluation, with the official report confirming that all IB requirements are in place and that the school demonstrated development beyond requirements across almost all standards reviewed.

The three-day evaluation was conducted in late March and early April by evaluators from the International Baccalaureate Organization. The team engaged with the Catholic School Board, school leadership, staff, students and parents, with the final report received by the school at the end of August.

According to the report, St. Dominic demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles and philosophy of the IB Diploma Programme and is well-positioned to continue developing the program.

Executive Director Lilia Aventurin Hodge and Superintendent Jacqueline Greene-Eleonora of the Catholic School Board said the successful completion of the school’s third five-year IB review reaffirmed the board’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening the quality of its programs in line with internationally recognized standards.

They said St. Dominic’s IB identity goes beyond accreditation and reflects an ongoing responsibility to promote educational excellence, global-mindedness, meaningful international engagement, student success and equitable opportunities, while creating an environment in which students can experience the joy of learning.

Among the strengths highlighted by the evaluators were leadership and long-term investment in the program, communication with students and families, student support and well-being, international-mindedness, community service, student voice, assessment practices and the school’s Academic Integrity and AI Policy.

Communication was identified as a particular strength, including the use of IB Ambassadors, open houses, online information sessions and ManageBac to keep students and families informed and engaged.

The evaluation also recognized the school’s emphasis on developing active, compassionate and lifelong learners. Students are given opportunities to lead, serve their community, engage with global perspectives and take greater ownership of their learning.

IB Programme Coordinator Gisella Reijna said the results recognize the efforts of the wider school community.

“This evaluation is a wonderful recognition of the strength of our IB programme and the work of our entire school community. We are proud of what we have achieved and excited to continue building on this strong foundation,” Reijna said.

The St. Dominic High School leadership team, consisting of Marie Richardson, Michelle Liverpool and Herbert Davis, said the evaluation reflects the learning environment they see daily at the school.

“This evaluation confirms what we see every day at St. Dominic High School: a vibrant and caring learning community where students are encouraged to lead, serve, inquire, and grow,” the leadership team said.

They said the findings recognize the dedication of students, parents, staff, school leadership and the Catholic School Board to the IB mission and philosophy, while highlighting strengths in student well-being, community engagement, international-mindedness, academic integrity, global connections and innovative educational practices.

Looking ahead, the school plans to continue strengthening its IB culture, improve student learning experiences, expand opportunities for collaboration, leadership and service, and make greater use of its new facilities.

The school will also work on strengthening its identity as an IB World School and expanding whole-school understanding of the IB mission, philosophy and IB Learner Profile. Other areas for continued development include strengthening preparation for the Diploma Programme, developing Approaches to Learning skills in Forms 1 through 5, increasing collaborative curriculum planning and making handbooks and policies more accessible to the wider school community.

The evaluation report concluded that St. Dominic’s IB Diploma Programme is on a strong footing while also providing a clear direction for continued growth and development over the coming years.

For more information about enrolling in the IB Diploma Programme at St. Dominic High School, interested persons can contact Gisella Reijna at ibinfo@stdominichigh.org

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