Downey Unified made a promise, the school board needs to keep it.
Dear Editor:
Six years ago, Downey Unified made a bold promise by introducing an International Baccalaureate (IB) Dual Immersion Spanish program at Carpenter Elementary. The program emphasized bilingualism, global citizenship, and critical thinking. As a parent, I was inspired. Many of us believed in the vision, even when it was new and unproven.
This spring, the first cohort of IB students is completing their elementary school journey and will enter middle school this August. That milestone should be a moment of pride for our entire district. It proves what’s possible when educators, families, and leaders come together to support meaningful innovation.
But here’s the challenge: the future is still unclear.
While a middle school IB pathway is beginning to take shape, there’s still no established high school track. For families like mine—who’ve stayed committed from kindergarten through middle school—this uncertainty feels like the district is only willing to go halfway. Without a complete K–12 pathway, this program risks becoming another great idea that never reaches its potential.
Downey Unified has shown that it values choice. Programs like AP and MADE work well for many students. But IB isn’t just an alternative—it’s a globally respected model that prepares students to think critically, lead ethically, and engage with the world. Our district cannot afford to treat it like a side option. It must be treated like a pillar.
The teachers and administrators who stepped up to build this program deserve real recognition. Their efforts helped our children thrive by developing their confidence, academic strength, and fluency in two languages. That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with belief, hard work, and vision.
This district has already done what many others only talk about. Twice, we’ve taken on the challenge of becoming IB World Schools with the PYP and MYP and succeeded. That’s no small feat. It proves that our community has the people, the vision, and the will to do hard, meaningful work for our kids.
I saw it firsthand when my child and his 5th-grade PYP cohort participated in their IB Exhibition. They tackled big, real-world issues, from plastic pollution and fast fashion to women’s rights, through research, presentations, and thoughtful calls to action that would impress many adults. It was inspiring and left me eager to see what they could accomplish in the MYP and, ultimately, in the IB Diploma Programme (DP).
But right now, the district has said that a recommendation will be made in the fall on whether or not to pursue IB DP certification, leading us to understand that there is the possibility of not completing the program. I would urge the board to fulfil its commitment that it made to our families six years ago because the IB framework was never meant to be experienced halfway. Its strength lies in the full continuum, which is a carefully designed, globally respected progression from early learning to high school graduation. Very few districts stop at PYP and MYP because doing so leaves students without the culminating DP experience that turns years of inquiry into college-ready skills, university credit, and the global awareness the world needs.
We’re fortunate that the newly appointed superintendent was involved in launching this program from the beginning. That continuity matters, but ultimately, the decision rests with the school board.
As a parent and community member, I ask our board to do more than quietly support the IB program. I’m asking for action—(1) a public commitment to developing a high school IB track, (2) a timeline for planning and implementation, (3) a funding strategy to ensure it’s sustainable, and (4) genuine engagement with parents and educators throughout the process.
This decision doesn’t require starting from scratch. The foundation is already in place. What’s needed now is the political will to carry it forward.
This isn’t about one school or one neighborhood. It’s about who we are as a district. Are we going to keep our promises? Are we going to ensure that all kids have access to a globally competitive education.
Let’s finish what we started. Our kids deserve the best.
Lorenzo Verduzco
Downey