Margaret Davis to assist students with admission, college counseling and IB Diploma Certification
Dallas’ Alcuin School announced today that Margaret Davis has been named International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Specialist for Alcuin Upper School. Her position is instrumental to Alcuin Upper School and strategically complements the strong leadership team.
Ms. Davis’ role will be to work with students from admission to college counseling and to assist with the Alcuin Upper School IB Diploma Programme. Alcuin School, which until now has served the educational needs of students in early childhood through the eighth grade, will be adding a fully accredited coeducational Upper School program in the fall of 2014.
Ms. Davis comes to Alcuin School with a wealth of experience. She has served as a Head of an IB School. More recently, she has worked extensively with Texas IB Schools (TIBS), as a Director and Coordinator for IB Programs regionally as well as with independent school districts and schools. Ms. Davis has been a consultant in setting up the IB Diploma Programme, including admissions, application, college counseling and curriculum and she brings these same skills to Alcuin School.
“Margaret’s incomparable expertise with IB at the school, state, and national level will help support our high level of program advancement,” said Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “Her appointment is a sign of our school’s commitment and demonstrated leadership in IB education and it is very fortunate that we were able to bring in someone of Margaret’s caliber to fill this important role at Alcuin Upper School.”
Only seven schools in Texas currently provide both the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. “Combining the excellence of Alcuin School with the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offers unprecedented opportunities for our students, making it an extremely exciting time to be part of the Alcuin School community,” said Davis.
The Upper School offers the perfect complement to Alcuin’s Montessori Program, ensuring that its graduates will be distinctly prepared for success in college and the changing world beyond. Located on the Alcuin School’s 12 acre north Dallas campus, the Upper School will feature curriculum from the International Baccalaureate, college preparatory program offered in 134 countries and in the most prestigious academic schools around the world. The IB Programme emphasizes collaborative learning and student initiative through an interdisciplinary academic core of math, science, humanities, English, foreign language, technology, arts and athletics.
Alcuin’s sixth through eighth grades already follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, a modified version of the upper school Diploma Programme. Toddler through fifth grades follow the high level AMI Montessori Method, which incorporates mixed-age and project-based learning, fostering academic excellence.
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to join the Alcuin Upper School and I can’t wait to get to know each student and family,” said Davis. “The world and education are changing, and Alcuin School’s rich history portents continued educational excellence in the years ahead.”
Ms. Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Baylor University. She has also participated in the Doctor of Education program at Texas A&M University-Commerce. In addition, Ms. Davis has completed post-graduate work at the University of California, Berkley Lawrence Hall of Science Great Explorations in Science and Mathematics (GEMS); and at the Harvard Graduate School of Education under the Art of Leadership and Urban Leaders Institutes.
She has been a contributor to several publications including 2003-04 Smart Teaching: Aligning Daily Curriculum and Instruction with TAKS. Ms. Davis also created the concept and guided the development of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Book Series. Ms. Davis has received numerous honors including 2010 International Best Practices Award for Administrators Working with At-Promise Youth; 2008 Raise Your Hand Texas Harvard Principal; and the National Phoebe Appears Hearst Outstanding Educator Award.
About Alcuin School
An enriched, nurturing, coeducational academic community, 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.