This year’s IB Global Conference (#IBGC2026) in Denver, CO is buzzing with energy as IB educators gather under the theme “Shared Learning, Shared Futures.” On a personal note, this is my first time back since Toronto in 2023, and being here with colleagues after three years away makes the trip even sweeter. During the Toronto conference, I had the chance to sit with Phil Evans from the IBO to share our “IB for All” story in Dobbs Ferry, and he brought a team of filmmakers to our high school this past spring to capture it. We’re proud that our story will be shown at this year’s opening general session. I’m also looking forward to joining a panel on expanding access to the DP on Friday at 11:15 (Mile High Ballroom, 1EF), and co-facilitating a work session on the same topic later that afternoon at 3:45 (Mile High Ballroom, 2c). It’s an honor to contribute to these sessions and to build on the conference theme by sharing our experiences with fellow educators.

The “Why IB?” question is one that I’ve returned to at nearly every global conference since 2013. While it’s an easy one for those of us living the program every day, it’s still a question many families ask, especially those who grew up with different high school experiences. When I started as principal in 2011, our school was at a crossroad and had an identity crisis of sorts. “Why IB?” was a very real question, and the future of the IB program in Dobbs Ferry was getting fully challenged, so we started by talking not about IB but instead about the skills and qualities that we wanted for every graduate. It didn’t take long for us to discover that our values directly aligned to the IB Program, and we quickly rallied behind shared vision and mission that the entire community could get behind. Over time, we trained all our teachers, opened co-taught sections, created more pathways to the full diploma, aligned our curriculum, and prepared every student for IB English and IB Math. We also built complementary programs and systematic academic support programs so that every student could thrive. 

The momentum grew so strong that by 2014 the community supported bringing the Middle Years Programme to grades 6-10, and we were authorized in 2016. Our efforts were further recognized with a National Blue Ribbon in 2020. Fast forward to 2026, and our most recent graduating class had 54 IB Diploma candidates and 629 subject area registrations, both all-time highs for our school. That’s also nearly five times the number of diploma candidates we had in 2012 (we had 11), and almost double the total subject registrations.

We’re truly “all in” with IB, and we believe our students are far better prepared as a result. So, back to the question of “Why IB?” Here’s why…

The Program is Fully Inclusive. Perhaps the greatest strength of the IB is that it gives every student meaningful and equitable access to a rigorous curriculum. At DFHS, all students take at least two IB DP courses, with an average just under five, and all of our teachers—including special education—are IB trained. Every student also completes the MYP along with the Personal Project. In 2026, we had all-time highs in terms of our total number of full IB Diploma Candidates as well as the total number of subject areas registered.  Those numbers reflect years of intentional work and a genuine “IB for All” philosophy. The IB Learner Profile and our early use of the E2 framework also made our district-wide focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion feel completely natural. Creating a welcoming environment and offering a curriculum that reflects our diverse student body is at the heart of who we are.

It Promotes International Mindedness. The IB curriculum naturally encourages students to think globally while staying deeply connected to their own culture and community. At DFHS, we live this through “think globally, act locally.” All students engage in CAS experiences, service learning runs throughout our curriculum, and our “Hands-In Dobbs Ferry” club has become one of our most popular. This mindset has led our students to make meaningful contributions in our Dobbs Ferry village while understanding the broader global impact of their actions. We’ve also welcomed more students from around the world who specifically chose us because we’re an IB World School. That diversity has enriched our community and given our students the chance to examine every subject through multiple perspectives.

Preparing Students for an Interconnected World. The theme “Shared Learning, Shared Futures” captures exactly why the IB remains so powerful. In a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change, the skills that matter most are the ones the IB has always emphasized—critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration, and creativity. These are precisely the human skills that technology cannot replace. Our students learn to approach complex questions from multiple angles, communicate effectively across cultures, and adapt to new situations with confidence. The Approaches to Learning skills we develop through the MYP and DP also provide students with a strong foundation to thrive in jobs and challenges that are yet to exist. The IB doesn’t just prepare students for college—it prepares them to shape the future.

The Research is Clear. Study after study continues to show that IB students are accepted to top colleges at higher rates, graduate on time at higher percentages, and earn stronger GPAs than their peers. Our own graduates regularly return to tell us they felt exceptionally well prepared—sometimes even over-prepared—for the demands of college. The IB Diploma is recognized and respected by universities around the world, and that recognition only continues to grow.

The IB Community. One of the most valuable parts of being an IB World School is belonging to a global network of educators who are all working toward the same goal. This conference is the perfect example of “Shared Learning, Shared Futures” in action. The chance to reconnect with colleagues, share what’s working in our schools, and learn from each other’s experiences is incredibly powerful. Whether it’s through panel discussions, workshops, or informal conversations, we leave these gatherings energized and better equipped to serve our students. The leadership strand this year has been especially strong, and it reminds us that when we learn together, our students benefit.

At its core, the IB gives a school a singular, clear vision and mission that everyone can rally around. Every program we offer—academic, social-emotional, and extracurricular—is designed to support and enhance the IB experience. That coherence is powerful. It creates a school culture where students aren’t just taking rigorous courses; they’re becoming thoughtful, principled, open-minded young people ready to make a positive impact in the world. 

That’s why IB. And that’s why it’s no longer a question that we get asked in Dobbs Ferry.