university preparatory programme.

Bermuda High School for Girls announced yesterday that it has received permission to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in September, 2001.

According to BHS principal, Eleanor Kingsbury, the achievement is a real coup for the school.

"The IB programme is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum leading to examinations,'' she said.

"At this time, no other school in Bermuda offers a college preparatory programme with the academic coherence or international recognition of the IB.

"This programme is unique in that it features a well rounded education that prepares students for college and university entrance in either North America or the United Kingdom.

"It is offered in more than 900 schools in over 100 countries and is one of the most respected college preparation programmes in the world,'' Mrs.

Kinsbury noted.

While a cost has not been established for the local programme, Mrs. Kinsbury was emphatic that it will present a "significant savings to parents''.

"School fees here are currently $8,250 per year,'' Mrs. Kingsbury said, "and the fees for the IB programme are unlikely to go beyond $10,000 which is significantly less expensive than prep schools overseas which can run around $20,000 and above.'' "The IB will provide young Bermudians, both male and female, with the opportunity to acquire affordable, world-class college preparation without having to leave the Island, giving the means for direct college or university entrance anywhere in the world.'' The IB will operate out of Dover House, a two-storey facility on BHS property adjacent to the school's main building.

Asked why males will be allowed into the new programme, Mrs. Kingsbury noted: "I think that girls and boys are ready to interact at that age. Our girls will have developed sufficient confidence by that time that they will be able to hold their own anywhere.

"I am not concerned that they (the girls) will suddenly become preoccupied with putting on make-up, to attract the boys,'' she said.

"Boys in the past have attended the school,'' she said adding, "there used to be a coordinated programme with Saltus for students in year 12, so there is a precedent for what we are doing and it would not be fair to deny boys this wonderful opportunity.'' A maximum of 25 students will be allowed into the 2001 programme and public information sessions about the IB Diploma Programme, will begin in this spring.