Higher expectations are now being required from Mariner Middle School students as they begin taking international baccalaureate classes for the first time this year.

Mariner Middle was accepted for the Middle Years International Baccalaureate program last May.

“Our IB program is school-wide,” Mariner Middle School Principal Rachel Gould said. “All of our classes and students will be participating in the program.”

She said that the IB program afforded them the opportunity to add Spanish to the curriculum this year.

Gould said about 99 percent of her staff had initial IB training in July.

“Our teachers trained for a week, learning about IB, the philosophy of the program and how to implement,” she said. “It is taking the lessons the teachers already do and making them better.”

Students of Mariner Middle, Gould said, will be global thinkers and have a better understanding of their impact on the world because of the IB program.

Gould said they will hold a parent workshop on Sept. 14 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. to help parents understand the intricacies of middle school.

“Our school is so fortunate to have such outstanding students this year,” she said. “I am excited about all of the great things we will be doing.”