 The president's budget proposal eliminates public media funding. Learn how you can help at lptv.org slash action. The international baccalaureate at Grand Rapids High School is the first and longest running program of its kind in the state. As Mel Meyer reports for this week's Golden Apple, the students can get immersed in cultures far and wide from right here in Minnesota. Since 1983, the school has been providing the college level courses to its students. Students can choose from 20 different courses to get a college credit or to try to get many credits with a full degree. Students like Alex have to take six of the classes, a critical thinking course, 150 hours of community action, an exam, a college level thesis paper over a couple of years in one subject of their choice. The curriculum isn't necessarily based on points you have to cover, rather it guides teachers to hit different topic areas such as world events, cultural diversity, customs and traditions. We look at them from the lens of people all over the world, not specifically from the lens of we being northern Minnesotans. The program is offered in all but three countries in the entire world and connects them to each other. The seniors in German 4 just wrapped up their oral examinations. They had to describe a picture and then talk about the cultural significance of the picture and compare it to their own culture and it was kind of a big deal. They then send off the audio recordings to be evaluated by a randomly selected school. While the program is open to all students, the class work is challenging, so the courses are mostly juniors and seniors, a good challenge as they start to prepare for college. Their standards really cover a lot of bases which is really nice because you know that you're getting a well-rounded education throughout. About 30 to 40 percent of all juniors and seniors will take one IB class. Some are up for the challenge of getting their degrees. It's just kind of a thing to strive for I guess, so I'm at least pushing myself to get something. While a lot of work, assistant principal Matt Doss says this provides an incredible opportunity. Opportunity to engage in more rigorous coursework, which is helpful because it helps meet students where they're at. In Grand Rapids with this week's Golden Apple, I'm Mal Meyer, Lakeland News. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.