Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, announced today that internationally renowned humanitarian Dr. Waheed Arian will be the keynote speaker at its graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24 at the Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas.  Dr. Arian is the founder of Arian Teleheal, an award-winning telemedicine charity.  The organization provides innovative life-saving medical advice, via smartphone, Skype, social media and a variety of other digital technologies, to volunteer specialists and doctors working in areas of conflict and low-resource countries around the world.

“Dr. Arian has been widely recognized for his innovation and humanitarian contributions, which makes him an ideal speaker for our commencement ceremony,” says Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “His visionary perspective to make a global impact supports the principles of the IB curriculum at Alcuin. Students who study IB learn critical thinking skills and become internationally-minded people who respect themselves, others, and the world around them.” 

Dr. Arian has been praised for overcoming incredible challenges to create his global academy and pioneering telemedicine charity.  Having survived the civil war in Afghanistan, Waheed Arian arrived alone in the UK at age 15.  He went on to study medicine at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.  Later, he performed the world’s first augmented reality international telemedicine live consultation using the Microsoft HoloLens in 2017, an untethered headset to help the user solve real-world problems with artificial intelligence.  His amazing accomplishment set a vision for the future of international telehealth.

Today, Dr. Arian is known as a global innovator who the UN Global Goals Goalkeepers organization describes as a world thought leader.  Dr. Arian’s personal and professional journey makes him uniquely qualified to share how innovative thinking and global mindedness, coupled with the IB Diploma Programme (DP), creates an edge for Alcuin students as they matriculate to the university level. 

Studies show that students who participate in IB education are better prepared for college, they perform better when they are there, and they are more likely to graduate (and graduate sooner) than other students. In addition, IB high school graduates are also more likely to enroll in selective institutions.

“We are honored to host Dr. Arian as our commencement speaker as we celebrate our second graduating class,” says Sorensen “This will be a tremendous opportunity for our graduates, parents, faculty and staff, to hear from one of today’s leading international experts, he says.  “Dr. Arian will inspire our IB graduates to continue their love of learning and pursue their vision and dreams to make the world a better place.”   

The IB offers a significant academic advantage and Alcuin’s Montessori education serves as an excellent transition to the IB curriculum.  Although there are more than 1,119,000 IB students enrolled at 3,747 schools in 146 countries, fewer than 10 schools combine the advantages of Montessori and IB in the way the programs are implemented at Alcuin.

At Alcuin School, the IB pedagogy extends the Montessori methods in an age appropriate way. Teachers continue to guide rather than dictate student learning.  Choice and responsibility continue.  Until Alcuin launched the Upper School in 2014, older students did not have the opportunity to move forward into a program which extended the school’s Montessori and IB at the same level of excellence. 

“It has been an amazing year for our seniors, and they have all worked so hard and with so much dedication to achieve their academic goals through the IB programme,” says Sorensen.  “These young people are truly inspirational and our faculty and staff have been so proud to have been part of their success.”    

Due to the exceptional academic performance of the students, Alcuin’s inaugural graduating class has received an average of $100,000 in scholarships for each student making the collective total over a million dollars.  They have also received offers of admission from colleges and universities across the United States. The graduates will be attending a variety of recognized research institutions and premier liberal arts colleges this fall.  

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

Event draws record attendance and helps boost annual Book Fair sales

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, had a lot to be grateful for this season as it kicked off the Thanksgiving  break with a record crowd at its annual Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day on Friday, Nov. 16.  

The event is one of Alcuin’s most anticipated school traditions when students’ guests are invited to attend Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day.  The annual celebration is a great way for intergenerational interaction and allows guests to share cherished moments with students in the classroom and around campus.  

This year, more than 400 grandparents and special friends attended and were treated to classroom visits with students who were delighted to showcase their lessons and projects.  Guests also had an opportunity to share and record their oral histories, take photos with their grandchild or special friend to remember the occasion, and enjoy refreshments. Luckily, the weather was perfect, and many grandparents and guests were able to stroll around Alcuin’s beautiful grounds with their students.

Many of the grandparents had travelled long distances, as far away as India and Europe, to attend the day.  Upper School students awarded prizes to visitors who traveled the farthest and to those who had the most grandchildren attending Alcuin. Guests also enjoyed musical entertainment by Alcuin Elementary choirs, as well Middle and Upper School performers in the gym.

Alcuin’s annual Book Fair was a highlight of Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, which drew huge crowds in the Wyly Performing Arts Center on campus.  There were hundreds of titles to choose from allowing students of all ages to pick out some of their favorite reads.   On Thursday, Nov. 15, attendees from the Alcuin Dads’ Breakfast also had an opportunity to do a little shopping at the Book Fair after they concluded their activity in the Pavilion. The Book Fair was organized by the Alcuin Parents’ Club and proceeds benefit the school’s library.

“We were delighted that so many grandparents, special guests and parents were excited to join us again for these beloved fall school traditions,” said Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “Our students certainly benefit from having their grandparents, friends and extended family involved and interested in their education, and that’s plenty to be thankful for during this special time of year.”

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

There were plenty of goblins on campus to generate a lot of ghoul-will at Alcuin’s Annual Fall Festival organized by Middle School on Oct. 26.  The students led this school-wide effort by preparing, managing and staffing the entire family-fun event for the Alcuin community. 

Middle School students organized this "spooktacular" community fundraiser in coordination with the Alcuin Parents’ Club.  It included a variety of Halloween-themed activities, food and family fun festivities. Proceeds benefit the Middle School Advisories’ chosen charities.

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, today announced a 100% pass rate for its 2017-2018 IB Diploma Programme. This major milestone puts Alcuin among a few select schools in the U.S. and internationally to achieve this accomplishment, making it particularly significant for its first-ever graduating class.    

 Alcuin’s Class of 2018 will soon be heading out to colleges and universities across the country and around the world including: American University, Cornell University, Emory University, ESSEC Business School in France, St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, University of Southern California, and many more. They join an IB DP alumni community of more than 1.7 million graduates in 152 countries worldwide.

In order to earn the IB Diploma, students must take six IB courses (at least three of them over two years), score a total of at least 24 points on cumulative exams, complete a 4,000-word Extended Essay, pass a Theory of Knowledge class, and demonstrate a two-year commitment to Creativity, Activity and Service.

For students who meet these rigorous criteria, there are many benefits associated with earning the IB Diploma, ranging from increased admission rate at top colleges, to a higher probability of graduation from college in four years, to actual college credit. For example, the State of Texas awards at least 24 college credit hours for the IB Diploma, according to Texas Education Code [TEC] §51.968, 2005.

 “It has been an amazing journey for our first senior class who are Alcuin’s educational trailblazers,” says Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School.  "Given the level of rigor and dedicated study required to do well in the IB Diploma, I am exceedingly proud of the results for our first graduates.”

At Alcuin School, the IB pedagogy extends the Montessori methods in an age appropriate way. Teachers continue to guide rather than dictate student learning.  Choice and responsibility continue.  Until Alcuin launched the Upper School in 2014, older students did not have the opportunity to move forward into a program which extended the school’s Montessori and IB at the same level of excellence.

"We are committed to helping our students achieve outstanding levels of academic excellence and our IB program has continued to flourish,” Sorensen says. “The outstanding IB faculty, coupled with Alcuin’s array of educational opportunities, provide an exceptional Upper School IB DP experience for our students. At Alcuin, we inspire innovative thinkers and passionate learners, and we know that there is no limit to what our students can achieve. Congratulations once again to all our students on their tremendous results!"

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, announced today that Dr. Siva Kumari, global IB Director General, will be the keynote speaker at its first-ever graduation ceremony on May 24 at the Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas. Heading the IB Organization since January 2014, Dr. Kumari is the first woman to hold the position.

As a world leader in education, Dr. Kumari’s participation at Alcuin’s graduation ceremony demonstrates the importance of the IB curriculum for its students. Students who study the IB learn critical thinking skills and become internationally-minded people who learn to respect themselves, others, and the world around them.

Dr. Kumari is uniquely qualified to share how the IB Diploma Programme (DP) creates an edge for Alcuin students as they matriculate to the university level. 

Studies show that students who participate in IB education are better prepared for college, they perform better when they are there, and they are more likely to graduate (and graduate sooner) than other students. In addition, IB high school graduates are also more likely to enroll in selective institutions.

 “We are honored to host Dr. Kumari as our commencement speaker as we celebrate our first graduating class,” says Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for our graduates, parents, faculty and staff, to hear from one of today’s experts in global education.”   

The IB offers a significant academic advantage and Alcuin’s Montessori education serves as an excellent transition to the IB curriculum.  Although there are more than 1,119,000 IB students enrolled at 3,747 schools in 146 countries, fewer than 10 schools combine the advantages of Montessori and IB in the way the programs are implemented at Alcuin.

At Alcuin School, the IB pedagogy extends the Montessori methods in an age appropriate way. Teachers continue to guide rather than dictate student learning.  Choice and responsibility continue.  Until Alcuin launched the Upper School in 2014, older students did not have the opportunity to move forward into a program which extended the school’s Montessori and IB at the same level of excellence. 

“It has been an amazing journey for our first senior class who are Alcuin’s educational trailblazers,” said Sorensen.  “They have all worked so hard and with so much dedication to achieve their academic goals through the IB programme.  These young people are truly inspirational and our faculty and staff have been so proud to have been part of their success,” he adds.   

Due to the exceptional academic performance of the students, Alcuin’s inaugural graduating class has received an average of $100,000 in scholarships for each student making the collective total over a million dollars.  They have also received offers of admission from colleges and universities across the United States, Canada and Europe. The graduates will be attending a variety of globally recognized research institutions and premier liberal arts colleges this fall.  

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.