Announcing the IB Global Alliance

Dear AWS Community,

Just over two years ago, the Board of Trustees minted a strategic plan that consists of five key strands. One of these strands is “Engage the Tacoma Community and Beyond,” and it asks us to ensure that AWS and its students learn from and alongside Tacoma. This strand also asks us to consider the role AWS plays on the global educational landscape as it cultivates “responsible citizens for a global society.” More specifically still, the strategic plan asks the School to form a multi-school, multi-continent alliance. So that is exactly what we did.

With more hope and excitement than words can capture, I proudly announce the formation of the IB Global Alliance. Joining AWS in this alliance are the following schools:

Initially, alliance programming will focus on Upper School-based student exchanges – central to the alliance agreement is that each school will annually exchange at least two students with each of the other schools. The details of these exchanges are being finalized, and our intention is to see the first of these exchanges occur next fall, if not this spring.

Once student exchanges are fully developed, the next step will be to explore curricular opportunities between schools; the inquiry nature of the IB program provides rich soil for cross-school collaboration, and we are eager to delve into these spaces. We don’t know exactly how such opportunities will grow and develop, but the array of possibilities seems enthrallingly endless. Given the boundless creativity of our faculty and staff, I have every confidence that we will embrace all that this alliance has to offer.

From Realize Tacoma to the IB Global Alliance, Annie Wright Schools continue to develop partnerships across the city and around the world. The intention, as ever, is to provide a student-centered educational experience, one that prepares students to walk into their local communities and wider world ready for courageous, independent action. We are thankful for a Board of Trustees that has the vision to see not only what Annie Wright is today, but what it can be tomorrow. We will continue moving From Strength to Strength. 

Sincerely,

Jake Guadnola

Head of Schools