The accomplishment that marked my transition from childhood to adulthood took the form of a simple letter. Nearly six years ago, when beginning my search for high school, I discovered the International Baccalaureate program at North High School. The IB program offered a challenging curriculum with numerous rewards, both concrete and abstract. The classes were rigorous and focused on international perspectives, and the program itself had values that aligned well with the kind of adult I wanted to be. Already...