The International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous pre-university course of study that meets the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of the various national systems of education, the IB program is based on the pattern of no single country. It provides students of different linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social, and critical perspectives necessary for the adult world that lies ahead of them. 

The education of the "whole person" takes on a special significance in the twenty-first century when knowledge continues to expand dramatically; when advanced technologies and global economies have tied together vastly different cultures; when the world is bound too closely for provincial ideologies to guide political thought; when to exist in a world community requires appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity; and when cooperation alone will solve global problems. It is essential therefore that academic training provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to succeed in the competitive modern world. 

All IB Diploma candidates are required to engage in the study of Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, and Humanities in the final two years of their secondary schooling. 

The high standards implicit in the IB examinations assume high levels of achievement and preparation at the middle school and Florida’s Pre-IB levels. This program is a deliberate compromise between the preference for specialization in some countries and the emphasis on breadth often preferred in others. The intent is that students should learn how to learn, how to analyze, and how to reach considered conclusions about people, their languages and literature, their ways in society, and the scientific forces of the environment. 

Since the International Baccalaureate Office was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1965, the IB Program has grown to almost 5,000 schools in 150 countries. Working in three official languages (English, French, and Spanish), IB enjoys the respect and support of many governments, colleges, and universities. 

Students are often accorded advanced standing in college based on their IB work. Significant numbers of IB Diploma holders both from within and outside North America have gained admission to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Stanford, MIT, the University of Chicago, and other prominent institutions. 

To All IB Parents and Guardians:

National Merit Semifinalists, Navya Kommu and Laxmi McGuire!  Out of approximately 1.3 million high school juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT Exam in October of 2022, Navya and Laxmi scored among the top 16,000 students.  We are very proud of both of these amazing young women for this prestigious academic accomplishment and wish them the best of luck in the scholarship competition.

Congratulations to our National Merit Commended Students, Karl Akuoko, J’Miracle Butler, Kavyashree Kadhirvelu, Vedant Mital, Tommy Rodriguez, and Kevin Wang!  These students scored among the top 50,000 students on the October 2022 PSAT/NMSQT Exam.  While these students will not advance in the National Merit Scholarship competition, we recognize them for their outstanding scores on this exam, which demonstrates their exceptional academic promise.

Parents of IB Seniors: Our annual IB Senior College Application Day will take place at Rickards in the Cafeteria on Wednesday, October 4^th.  Please make sure that your senior attends school that day.  Students will spend the entire day in the Rickards cafeteria working on any aspect of their college applications.  Representatives from the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices at FAMU, FSU, and TCC will be present to answer students’ questions and explain the many opportunities available to students at these outstanding institutions of higher learning.  Students will have the opportunity to work on their applications to any college or university and any aspect of their applications, whether through Common App, Coalition App, or applications available on university websites.  Students may also receive feedback on application essays, resumes, completing the FFAA, SSR, or the SSAR, or any other materials that students want to submit with their applications.  IB Seniors should contact Dr. Williams if they have any questions about the college application process.

Welcome back to the 2023-2024 school year!  We all look forward to another successful year and welcome your cooperation and participation as we strive to continue and build upon the achievements of our IB Program.

Our entire IB Administrative Team is back this year, and our offices are still in the main administration building.

Here are our phone numbers and email addresses where you can reach us:

• Dr. Joe Williams, IB Coordinator (850-414-5036)  - williamsj@leonschools.net
• Mrs. Melissa Cooper, AP Coordinator and Assistant IB Coordinator (850-414-5005) -  coopere@leonschools.net
• Mrs. Victoria Williams, IB Academic Dean (850-414-5597)  -  williamsv3@leonschools.net

May 2023 IB Exam Session Highlights: Our 2022-2023 IB seniors and juniors did well this past year in their overall IB Exam results.  40 out of 66 (61%) of our IB Diploma Candidates (Class of 2023 IB Diploma Program Seniors) earned an IB Diploma.  Our overall IB Exam pass rate (4 or higher out of a possible 7) for all 124 students who took IB Exams was even better, at 71%.  The average points earned by those passing the diploma was 30 out of a possible 45 points (24 is the minimum passing score), and the average grade obtained by candidates who passed the diploma was 4.69 points out of a possible 7. The highest point total earned was 39.

2023 IB Diplomas and Transcripts are in: The 2023 IB Diplomas and IB Transcripts just arrived from Cardiff, Wales, UK this week.  2023 IB graduates or their parents can pick them up from Dr. Williams in the front office at Rickards.  Please email or call ahead so Dr. Williams can leave your IB Diploma and/or IB Transcript at the front office for you, in case he is not available when you come to campus. To All IB Parents and Guardians:

Two-thirds of our IB Administrative Team is brand new this year, but our offices are still in the main administration building. We welcome Mrs. Melissa Cooper and Mrs. Victoria Williams to our IB Administrative Team!  Both are experienced Rickards educators, and we are excited about the valuable experience and skills they bring to our IB Program. 

Here are our phone numbers and email addresses where you can reach us:

Dr. Joe Williams, IB Coordinator (850-414-5036) williamsj@leonschools.net

Mrs. E. Melissa Cooper, AP Coordinator and Assistant IB Coordinator (850-414-5005) coopere@leonschools.net

Mrs. Victoria Williams, IB Academic Dean (850-414-5597) williamsv3@leonschools.net

IB CAS Recognition Night: Parents of IB Seniors, IB Juniors, and Pre-IB Sophomores are invited to attend our annual Title 1 IB CAS Recognition Night on Tuesday, April 25, from 6 pm to 7 pm, in the Rickards Auditorium.  IB Seniors will be recognized for their completion of their CAS requirements; IB juniors will be inducted into IB Diploma Candidacy; and Pre-IB sophomores will be recognized for their transition from Pre-IB to IB status.

IB CAS Recognition Night: Parents of IB Seniors, IB Juniors, and Pre-IB Sophomores are invited to attend our annual Title 1 IB CAS Recognition Night on Tuesday, April 25, from 6 pm to 7 pm, in the Rickards Auditorium.  IB Seniors will be recognized for their completion of their CAS requirements; IB juniors will be inducted into IB Diploma Candidacy; and Pre-IB sophomores will be recognized for their transition from Pre-IB to IB status.

IB Senior Celebration:  The 2023 IB Senior Celebration will take place on Wednesday, April 26^th, in the Rickards Cafeteria, starting at 6 pm.  Thank you to all the IB Parents who are currently working on this committee and providing valuable input as plans for our 2023 IB Senior Celebration take place. If you missed the planning meeting and would like to see a transcript of the meeting, please email Dr. Williams at williamsj@leonschools.net or by phone at 850-414-5036 and ask for a transcription of the meeting. 

IB/AP Exam Schedule: Please see the attached most recent version of our IB/AP Exam Schedule for May 2023.  TCC has once again graciously agreed to host our IB and AP Exams this spring, and we are grateful to them for their continuing support of our school and our students! 

Our annual Title 1 IB CAS Recognition Night on Tuesday, April 11, from 6 pm to 7 pm, in the Rickards Auditorium.  IB Seniors will be recognized for their completion of their CAS requirements; IB juniors will be inducted into IB Diploma Candidacy; and Pre-IB sophomores will be recognized for their transition from Pre-IB to IB status.

IB Senior Celebration: New Update: A day, time, and location have been chosen for the event.  The 2023 IB Senior Celebration will take place on Wednesday, April 26^th, in the Rickards Cafeteria, starting at 6 pm.  A survey has gone out to all IB Seniors via their TOK classes, and these surveys are due back to Mr. Matthews in TOK class on Monday, April 10, so I can pass the information included in them along to the parent committee planning the event.  Please remind your IB Senior to complete their survey this weekend and turn it in on Monday.  All parents of 2023 IB Seniors who are interested in serving on the planning committee for the 2023 IB Senior Celebration, please contact Dr. Williams by email williamsj@leonschools.net or by phone at 850-414-5036.  Thank you to all the IB Parents who are currently working on this committee and providing valuable input as plans for our 2023 IB Senior Celebration take place.  Please email Dr. Williams if you would still like to be on the planning committee.  If you missed the planning meeting and would like to see a transcript of the meeting, please email Dr. Williams and ask for a transcription of the meeting.  Also, if you are a parent of an IB Junior, you are welcome to participate in this committee. Parents of IB Juniors have helped with senior celebrations in the past in order to plan more effectively their own student’s senior celebration the following year.  Please contact Dr. Williams, even if you did attend the initial planning meeting, as the more parents participate in the planning process, the less work each individual parent will have to do to prepare for the celebration.  

IB Visual Arts Exhibition:  It is my pleasure to invite you all to the opening of our annual IB and AP Visual Arts Exhibition. This is an exceptional class, and they have created some outstanding works.  The exhibition opening will take place on Thursday, April 6^th, at The Plant (517 W. Gaines Street), from 6 pm to 7 pm.  The exhibition will remain up until April 20^th for those who cannot make it to tonight’s opening or want to go back to see the works again.  We hope to see you there!

Change of Date: IB CAS Recognition Night: Parents of IB Seniors, IB Juniors, and Pre-IB Sophomores are invited to attend our annual Title 1 IB CAS Recognition Night on Tuesday, April 11, from 6 pm to 7 pm, in the Rickards Auditorium.  IB Seniors will be recognized for their completion of their CAS requirements; IB juniors will be inducted into IB Diploma Candidacy; and Pre-IB sophomores will be recognized for their transition from Pre-IB to IB status.

IB Senior Celebration: All parents of 2023 IB Seniors who are interested in serving on the planning committee for the 2023 IB Senior Celebration, please contact Dr. Williams by email williamsj@leonschools.net or by phone at 850-414-5036.  Thank you to all the IB parents who attended our preliminary planning meeting online on MS Teams this past Wednesday, March 29^th.  We are still looking for parents to help with this event, so please email Dr. Williams if you would like to be on the planning committee.  If you missed the planning meeting and would like to see a transcript of the meeting, please email Dr. Williams and ask for a transcription of the meeting.  Also, if you are a parent of an IB Junior, you are welcome to participate in this committee. Parents of IB Juniors have helped with senior celebrations in the past in order to plan more effectively their own student’s senior celebration the following year.  Please contact Dr. Williams, even if you did attend the initial planning meeting, the more parents who participate in the planning process, the less work each individual parent will have to do to prepare for the celebration.  

2022 IB Diplomas and Transcripts are in: The 2022 IB Diplomas and IB Transcripts have arrived from Cardiff, Wales, UK.  2022 IB graduates or their parents can pick them up from Dr. Williams in the front office at Rickards.  Please email or call ahead so Dr. Williams can leave your IB Diploma and/or IB Transcript at the front office for you, in case he is not available when you come to campus.

IB/AP Exam Schedule: Please see the attached most recent version of our IB/AP Exam Schedule for May 2023.  TCC has once again graciously agreed to host our IB and AP Exams this spring, and we are grateful to them for their continuing support of our school and our students.

Congratulations to our seven National Merit Finalists: Abhinav Balaji, Tanmay Haldiya, Annika Lagy, Ananya Mundrathi, Sruthi Sentil, Karthik Vedula, and Eric Zeng!  These outstanding scholars have all advanced to finalist status and will have a chance to earn $2,500 scholarships.  This is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are proud of these IB seniors!

Congratulations to IB Senior Sruthi Sentil for being named one of the 40 winners of the Award for Aspirations in Computing by the National Center for Women &Information Technology!  Over 3,300 young women in grades nine through twelve applied for this prestigious award, and Sruthi is one of only three women in the state of Florida chosen to be among the top forty winners.  Sruthi was chosen based on her computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education. 

Congratulations to Pre-IB Sophomore Zy’Kerria Gee for being chosen to represent James Rickards High School and the State of Florida at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders from June 21, 2023 8 to June 23, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts!  Zy’Kerria was chosen for this honor based on her outstanding grades, leadership potential, and desire to contribute to the field of medicine as a physician or medical scientist. 

IB CAS Recognition Night: Parents of IB Seniors, IB Juniors, and Pre-IB Sophomores are invited to attend our annual Title 1 IB CAS Recognition Night on Tuesday, March 28, from 6 pm to 7 pm, in the Rickards Auditorium.  IB Seniors will be recognized for their completion of their CAS requirements; IB juniors will be inducted into IB Diploma Candidacy; and Pre-IB sophomores will be recognized for their transition from Pre-IB to IB status.

IB Senior Celebration: All parents of 2023 IB Seniors who are interested in serving on the planning committee for the 2023 IB Senior Celebration, please contact Dr. Williams  williamsj@leonschools.net or by phone at 850-414-5036.  Dr. Williams would like to schedule a preliminary planning meeting soon to discuss how we can honor this year’s seniors, so parents who participated in last year’s IB Senior Celebration Planning Committee can share their wisdom and the IB Senior Celebration Parent Notebook can be passed along to this year’s committee.  Also, if you are a parent of an IB Junior, you are welcome to participate in this committee. Parents of IB Juniors have helped with senior celebrations in the past in order to plan a more effective senior celebration. Please contact Dr. Williams soon so we can set up an initial planning meeting. 

2022 IB Diplomas and Transcripts are in: The 2022 IB Diplomas and IB Transcripts have arrived from Cardiff, Wales, UK. 2022 IB graduates or their parents can pick them up from Dr. Williams in the front office at Rickards.  Please email or call ahead so Dr. Williams can leave your IB Diploma and/or IB Transcript at the front office for you, in case he is not available when you come to campus.

IB/AP Exam Schedule: Please see the attached most recent version of our IB/AP Exam Schedule for May 2023.  TCC has once again graciously agreed to host our IB and AP Exams this spring, and we are grateful to them for their continuing support of our school and our students! 

We welcome all our Rickards students back to campus this school year.  Just like all other Leon County Schools, we continue to use CANVAS this year as our primary online tool for curriculum delivery in order to minimize the number of different websites students have to go to in order to communicate with their teachers and access their online learning materials.  Students still need to use FOCUS to keep track of their official grades and attendance in each of their classes. 

For our IB juniors and seniors, we are still using ManageBac to keep track of CAS progress and document CAS experiences and reflections, and we will still use ManageBac to upload all Extended Essay documents and keep track of student progress on their EEs.  IB Juniors will receive access to this portal soon and will receive training on how to use it.

We look forward to a safe and productive 2022-2023 school year and welcome your input and feedback as we seek to ensure our students’ academic success.