Honoring, recognizing, and celebrating William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs (Bodine) was founded in 1981 as a partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, according to its mission statement, is a “nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to informing and engaging people of all ages on matters of national and international significance”; and

WHEREAS, Bodine is the first public school to be cosponsored by a world affairs organization, and its curriculum places an emphasis on international issues and perspectives; and

WHEREAS, Lauren Swartz, president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, says this global emphasis promotes opportunities: “Ninety-five percent of the world’s population lives outside of the U.S. and only 0.0002% of the world’s population lives in Philly… they have to understand the world around them. What we want our students to take away from our programming is that the world is full of opportunities”; and

WHEREAS, The magnet school - with a motto of “harmony in diversity” - offers a humanities and foreign language centered college preparatory program and International Baccalaureate Diploma; and

WHEREAS, The over 600 students that attend Bodine are accepted on strict admission requirements, including high academic performance (A or B in all major subjects), attendance record (95 percent or higher from previous year), and behavioral history (no suspensions or behavior-related comments on report card); and

WHEREAS, Bodine’s graduation and college matriculation rates stood at 99% for the class of 2020; and

WHEREAS, For its academic achievements, Bodine has received several national and local awards through the years, including previously being named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education and being ranked among the top-fifty public high schools in the Nation by

U.S News and World Report

; and

WHEREAS, The William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs offers a unique and invaluable educational experience for young Philadelphians looking to immerse themselves in global perspectives and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is proud to recognize Bodine’s four decades of excellence and continue supporting its mission to produce caring and thoughtful leaders of tomorrow; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it herby honors, recognizes, and celebrates William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs, further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

End