'Here to Stay': IB Open House sees community engage with 'rigorous' program that fosters 'global citizenship'

By Talan Collins

In the midst of district-wide budget concerns, Principal Alex Otoupal set a reassuring tone in his opening remarks, calling the IB program “the cornerstone” of River’s academic offerings.

“You can’t put a price on it. You can’t put a number on it,” Otoupal tells CR News, emphasizing “the exceptional opportunities that have been afforded our students over time by their connections to the International Baccalaureate, to their faculty, and the network that expands through international universities” and “a variety of programs across the country and world.”

The evening’s comprehensive introduction to the multifaceted program featured presentations from students and teachers, as well as guided tours. 

Julie Nygaard characterized the program, of which she oversees—as both River’s IB Diploma and Career-related Program Coordinator—as the “strongest college prep program in Vancouver Public Schools.”

Both Otoupal and Nygaard addressed what they feel are common misconceptions surrounding the IB experience at River, such as the fear of overwhelming workloads. 

Otoupal points to the “intentional work around creating a ‘Rapid Response’ opportunity in our schedule,” as an example of the school “adapting to the needs of [its] students. We have that built in time for support, where students can go and check for understanding, go and get acceleration, or receive a second go—remediation.”

Annie Morrison-Garcia, another IB student, spoke passionately about her experiences during the event and in a follow-up interview. She emphasized the program's sense of community and support: “There is a cohort of students that you go through two years of studying with, and these people have become my closest friends.” She encouraged prospective students to take the initiative, even early in high school, and “start planning right now.”

"I think this is a great way for kids to get a sense of River as a community," Jaclyn George-Mayer, an IB history teacher since 2015, adds, reflecting on the program’s evolution and its emphasis on fostering global citizenship. “I switched to IB because it has a more well-rounded approach,” she shares, noting that the program equips students to explore more than “niche academics.” The aim—she notes—is “creating a global citizen and someone [who can] go out into the world, engage, and move forward in a way that they want.”

Lisa Cavola-Chilcote, an IB biology teacher and graduate of the program, is passionate about the importance of teaching students to think critically and engage with real-world issues. "The biggest takeaways are those aspects of the IB learner profile—being a critical thinker, having integrity, and learning to take risks," she believes. “A big question that I want to engage my students in asking is how can we use science to fight for social justice issues?” 

Throughout the evening, attendees explored the flexibility of the IB program, which includes pathways like the full Diploma, the Career-related Program, or a course candidate option. 

As the open house came to a close, a singular overarching message resonated clearly: the IB program at Columbia River High School remains a key pillar of ‘academic excellence’ and personal growth. Echoing this sentiment, Otoupal told future Rapids, “The future is bright here at Columbia River High School.” The program, which he calls “the standard” is “here to stay.”