IB diploma candidates get new perspective during CAS trip to Catamount

International Baccalaureate education is intended to expand a student’s global perspective.

Earlier this week, a new perspective is exactly what Red Hook High School’s full IB diploma candidates received, high in the treetops of Hillsdale.

The Class of 2027’s full IB students visited the zipline and ropes course at Catamount Ski Resort on Monday. Each year, IB Theory of Knowledge teacher Bill Decker accompanies the students on a field trip that aligns with the IB Learner Profile.

“The purpose of the trip is to engage in an activity that encourages the students to take risks, work as a team and challenge themselves,” Decker said.
 Decker said off-campus activities that encourage students to challenge themselves and be physically active was originally part of the IB program when it was started at the school two decades ago, and he’s brought it back since becoming the program’s CAS – or, Creativity, Activity, Service – coordinator three years ago.

Past trips have included an Escape Room in Poughkeepsie two years ago and rock climbing and cave exploring at Albany’s Indoor Rock Gym last year.

Red Hook’s IB program has boomed in recent years. Last year, a school-record 34 students graduated with a full IB diploma. While this year’s class will not quite reach that number, roughly 25 participated in the ropes and zipline activity this week. IB offerings at the school have also grown; this year Red Hook expanded on its IB English for All initiative by adding an option for students to take IB Literature and Performance, a class that incorporates the performing arts with the rigorous expectations of IB Literature.