The International Business Academy began in 1999 with a freshmen class. The vision for the IBA was to provide a curriculum with fundamental business courses for students with an interest in learning more about business! The first senior class of IBA students graduated in 2003. The International Business Academy (IBA) at Newman Smith HS, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD successfully accomplishes its m
ission of “giving students a foundation in marketing, economics, finance, language, and the cultural aspects of international business to become successful in their chosen area of business.” IBA students are equipped to determine a more specific college major through a challenging curriculum, real world experiences of domestic and international travel, paid or unpaid internships in a field of their choice, and partnerships with business, industry and post-secondary education. Students are exposed to the vast field of careers associated with business, and are prepared to compete with peers entering post-secondary study, or an entrepreneurial challenge. The curriculum provides a challenging business, cultural, and language curriculum specifically to educate them for a competitive environment. The 165 students 9-12th grade are required to complete the courses for high school graduation as well as additional requirements for the Academy, such as, three years of foreign language, Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Business Law, Global Business, Macro Economics and a choice of one of the following: Advertising, or Finance. Every student must take at least one Pre-AP or AP course per year and is required to complete a paid or unpaid internship with a company/industry of their choice. Real-world experiences are abundant since the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex is an important location for international trade and commerce in the global economy. The IBA takes advantage of these resources for its students through annual field trips to visit local colleges and local businesses. We partner with professionals in the area to speak to our students about various industries, professions and the necessary educational paths. Travel is an important component in our curriculum too! We offer domestic and international travel for our students to learn outside of the classroom as well as around the world. Many of our seniors graduate in the top of their graduating class at Newman Smith, as National Merit Scholars, Gates Millennium Scholars, and / or other scholarship recognitions for academic or athletic achievements. Through partnerships with local colleges, the IBA student has the option of graduating with 28+ dual and college credit hours. Our graduates attend such universities such as Baylor University, Boston University, Julliard School- New York, Indiana University, Northwestern University–Chicago, Loyola University-Chicago, University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, Texas A & M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, Tulane University, University of North Texas, University of Rochester, and University of Texas at Austin, Arlington and Dallas, Stephen F. Austin University, Sam Houston State University, William Jewel College, and Yale University as well as receive appointments to the Merchant Marines and United States Naval Academy. The goal for International Business Academy students is to provide 21st century knowledge and skills to compete with their peers domestically and internationally.
