The IB program is a world-recognized, two-year diploma, which provides a challenging curriculum for highly motivated students. It offers high academic standards in first and second languages, mathematics, humanities and sciences. It is offered at 5,000 schools around the world including in Halton: Burlington Central High School, Georgetown District High School, Craig Kielburger Secondary School and White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS).
“I am very proud of this accomplishment and glad that all my efforts in the past two years have paid off,” Maarouf says, whose career aspirations include completing the medical program at the University of Liverpool and advancing medical research and technology. “I owe this achievement to my family who always supported me and stood by my side every step of the way.”
“It feels great to see the past two years of hard work come to fruition, especially since my classmates and I have had to adapt and overcome many obstacles related to the pandemic,” says Xu, whose career aspirations include becoming a research scientist in a space agency. “I feel particularly proud to have been able to achieve a perfect score in spite of these circumstances. I am thankful we were still able to write our IB exams because, to me, it was a chance to demonstrate my hard work and it makes my achievement feel more meaningful.”
“Hala and Julia are exceptional students who are very deserving of this recognition for their hard work,” says Christy Peterson, Principal at White Oaks SS.
"The Halton District School Board is very proud of the scores Grade 12 students Hala Maarouf and Julia Xu achieved in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme," says David Boag, Associate Director of the Halton District School Board. "For many of our students, the IB program is a great complement to the high level of education they already receive in our Board. We wish Hala and Julia the best of good luck, as we are confident they will achieve much success in their future endeavours."
For additional information, contact:
David Boag, Associate Director of Education
Halton District School Board
boagd@hdsb.ca
