For the first time in Wittenberg's history, the Office of Enrollment Management is offering International Baccalaureate (IB) scholarships.

Awards range from $10,000-$15,000 for recipients of diplomas from the International Baccalaureate Organization, which offers challenging programs of study to more than 500,000 students at 1,921 schools in 124 countries, including both North and South High Schools in the Springfield City School District.

Described as "a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19," the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program "leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world's leading universities."

Rather than encouraging memorization of facts and figures, the program prepares students for the challenges of higher education by developing communication skills and a strong sense of identity and culture. As part of the program, students must also participate in a program called Creativity, Action, Service (CAS), which "encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, thus fostering students' awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena."