Clark Elementary School in Waukegan has been officially authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The school received its authorization last month after a process that began in 2022.
The IB designation follows a review process that included professional development, curriculum changes, policy work, and evaluation by the International Baccalaureate organization. Staff at Clark collaborated to redesign instructional units and align with IB standards.
“This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of Clark’s teachers, staff, and school leadership,” said Superintendent Theresa Plascencia. “We are incredibly proud of the effort and commitment shown throughout this process. This achievement would not have been possible without the support and buy-in from Clark’s students, families, and entire school community, who embraced this work and helped make it a reality.”
With this authorization, Clark Elementary will focus on inquiry-based learning that promotes critical thinking and global awareness. The PYP encourages students to ask questions and make connections across subjects.
“This authorization is a testament to what’s possible when an entire community unites around a shared vision,” said Principal Gladys Rodriguez. “Our IB Coordinator and external Inquiry Coach were absolutely pivotal — they challenged us, pushed our thinking, and helped us build a Program of Inquiry that is both rigorous and deeply rooted in who our students are. This achievement belongs to every teacher ans staff who reimagined their practice, every parent who leaned in and believed in this work, and every student who showed up with curiosity and courage. Clark didn’t just earn an authorization — we earned it together.”
Clark becomes the second IB World School in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 (CUSD 60), joining Whittier Elementary which was authorized in 2024. Both schools are currently the only authorized IB institutions in Lake County.
Waukegan CUSD 60 serves over 15,000 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across multiple schools including Clark Elementary. The district represents Lake County with a diverse student population: about 79 percent Hispanic, 13 percent Black, three percent White, and one percent Asian according to state data https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. The district employs over 1,000 teachers—most of whom are women—and spent more than $23,000 per student during the 2020 school year https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
Despite these investments, CUSD 60 has faced challenges such as high rates of chronic truancy—21 percent compared to a statewide average of under ten percent https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
Families interested in learning more about Clark’s IB program can tour the school on March 21 from 10 to 11 a.m., with RSVP required.
