Prospective IB magnet students visit WMHS in showcase night

Natalie Helsel, Associate Editor|February 25, 2020

Social studies resource teacher Lauren Squier talks to prospective and current students about Watkins Mill High School.

Current eighth-grade students and their parents from around Montgomery County attended an IB Regional Showcase on February 12 about the International Baccalaureate Magnet Program that they have the opportunity to take part in for the 2020-2021 school year at Watkins Mill High School.

Fifty students were accepted into Watkins Mill’s new IB Magnet program and the event gave them a chance to gain insight on what their next four years of school will look like if they chose to attend Watkins Mill.

“It’s nice to see families and future students come out and see what our school stands for and meet our teachers,” social studies resource teacher Lauren Squier said.

Guests were greeted as they walked into the auditorium by culinary arts students, who made special appetizers for the event to set an example of what future IB students can do.

Assistant principal Jennifer Bado-Aleman started the event by explaining the philosophy of IB and challenging future IB students to think about what they want out of their high school career.

The students were then taken to a separate room to do some ice breakers, get to know some of the current IB students, and ask questions one-on-one. Future students asked questions about extra-curricular activities, sports and electives. Current IB students encouraged them to get involved with the school as much as they can next year.

In the auditorium, Bado-Aleman went on to explain the IB curriculum and what programs students can follow. “We are dedicated to helping each student reach their potential both socially and emotionally, as well as academically,” Bado-Aleman said.

“It’s a new experience for us because we had older kids who went to private schools, and so we’re just trying to figure out how the IB Program would be equivalent to that,” parent Barbara Kuhn said.

Prospective students then got to meet IB teachers who teach subjects they are interested in. Teachers answered questions and explained the curriculum for their specific classes.

Watkins Mill staff members were excited to get to show off the accomplishments of their IB students. “Sometimes our school gets a bad reputation, but we can prove how our kids knock it out of the park all the time in the classroom, extracurriculars, and sports,” Squier said.

“Hopefully if [future students] select our school they can see how awesome our teachers are at connecting with their kids and really helping them figure out who they are,” Squier added.