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Callaway High School is piloting an advanced curriculum program similar to the International Baccalaureate (IB) at LaGrange High School.

The school is testing the Cambridge International Education program. The advanced curriculum extends to kindergarten, but Callaway is first implementing it at the high school level. This is the first implementation of the program in Georgia.

Students can qualify for college credit in the program similar to Advanced Placement (AP) classes. The program is recognized worldwide in over 160 countries. 

“It’s something that our students could take abroad and go to college there. It really just opens up windows and doors of opportunity for them. It shows that they’ve been through some rigorous learning processes, and it just looks good for them and it looks good for us. So it seems like a win-win,” said Maria Hudson, Cambridge Site Coordinator for the program.

The first cohort of Cambridge students has already begun at Callaway High. Two classes totalling 47 students are in the program being taught by Hudson.

“Hudson teaches a course called “General Paper,” which is a writing-focused course,” said Callaway Principal Jason Graham.

Unlike AP courses, students can begin the program as a freshman.

“They don’t have to wait until they’re a junior to apply for the program. It begins in the ninth grade the first day they walk into Callaway High School,” Hudson said.

The Cambridge program offers over 100 courses of advanced curriculum. Graham said it takes 25 months to satisfy the requirements for a Cambridge diploma on top of their regular diploma so students need to start early, so teachers in the middle schools should look out for recommendations.

“We have students that perform at a high level, that would be identified and may be good candidates. Also, any student could request to be part of the program,” Graham said.

Graham said the program costs TCSS $3,500 for an initial application fee. The program also has a $10,000 annual fee, which is waived for the first three years. After the first three years, if Callaway administers at least 160 exams, the annual fee is waived.

The exams cost $120, which is a bit higher than AP exams at $99.

Graham said he hopes the Cambridge program can be extended down to Callaway Middle and even Callaway Elementary to be a part of Callaway’s identity. 

“We have the opportunity to stick the flag in the ground for Callaway High School and the Troup County School System to be a model school for implementing the program in Georgia, and to raise the bar across the board,” Graham said.