• Executive Briefing
• Economic Sector Targets
• Business Development Resources
• Community Living
• Site Location Database
• Current Publications
• Sites and Buildings
• International Business Development
• About GO Topeka
• Archives
• Contact Us
• Confidentiality Commitment
• Resources, Publications & Maps
• Visual Gallery

Print Page

Pdf Page

Add To Report

Report Center

International Baccalaureate Program at Washburn Rural School District

Auburn-Washburn Planning International Baccalaureate Program

The Auburn-Washburn School District is working toward bringing an International Baccalaureate program to Washburn Rural High School. The two-year program would enable high school students to engage in a challenging, international pre-university course of study.

"This program is in our district long-range strategic plan and we are allocating funds to maintain its operation. We have invested in research and planning and are on track for implementation," said Dr. Brenda Dietrich, Auburn-Washburn superintendent.

No one in the Topeka area currently offers and International Baccalaureate program. There are only two in Kansas- one in Sedgwick County and the other in Johnson County. Adding the program in Shawnee County would allow the school district and community to be much more competitive.
"We know there are companies in Topeka who are recruiting executives that ask about the availability of an IB program for their children," said Dietrich. "This is the only recognized worldwide benchmark diploma program and it is a magnet for recruiting businesses and executives who have school-aged children."

In addition, the program could help facilitate the attraction of international companies to the Shawnee County area.
"By helping to provide this type of rigorous, international education, we'd be sending a message to companies around the globe that Topeka and Shawnee County are serious about building an educated, motivated and savvy workforce," said Steve Jenkins, GO Topeka senior vice president for economic development.

The school district is currently in the process of establishing the startup funding for the program and hopes to see it implemented in the near future, though no official start date has been announced. For more information, or to learn how your organization can help fund the program, contact Dr. Dietrich at Auburn-Washburn Schools, 785.339-4000.