Académie Lafayette Receives Prestigious IB Diploma Programme Authorization

KANSAS CITY, MO, April 19, 2022 - Académie Lafayette has been authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Geneva, Switzerland to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB/DP). The IB/DP is a rigorous two-year educational program (11th & 12th grades) that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education. It is recognized by many universities worldwide as the preeminent pathway in preparing high school students for a successful college and career experience.

The IBO provides challenging and unique programs of education to schools around the world. The rigorous authorization process supports this commitment, ensuring parents and students can be confident that each IB World School is held to the same high standards.

“This authorization continues the success of our PK-12 growth plan, and is an amazing accomplishment by Katy Wilson, our IB coordinator, Dr. Maritza Paul, our ALIHS principal, and our entire Armour Campus team”, said Elimane Mbengue, Head of School for Académie Lafayette. “To meet all of the authorization expectations and achieve this within the 2nd year of our high school program is testimony to the hard work of the teachers and staff and a demonstration of their commitment and excellence throughout the many visits and evaluations by the IBO”, he continued.

Académie Lafayette, a free PK-12 charter public school with 1,260 students currently enrolled, implemented the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB/MYP) in the 2017 school year. This, along with the French immersion instruction that has been the foundation for the school since it was the first charter school established in the state of Missouri in 1999, ensures students will be well prepared for the IB/DP in high school. 

Mbengue added, “While congratulations are certainly in order for our team, the ultimate reward will be the students who will receive this world-class education that will prepare them to be our next-generation global leaders and change agents.”.

About Académie Lafayette

Académie Lafayette, a non-profit, tuition-free public charter school, was founded in 1999 as Missouri’s first charter to provide families in the KCPS district a high-quality option in public education. Académie Lafayette remains committed to its mission and its students, families, faculty, and supporters, and is one of the top-performing public schools not only in Kansas City, but also in the state of Missouri, leading the Missouri State Board of Education to renew the school’s charter for ten years rather than the standard five-year increment.

For additional information about Académie Lafayette, visit www.academielafayette.org.

Contact: Christy J. White, MAEd.
Director of Admissions and Community Outreach
cwhite@academielafayette.org
816.702.9221