A proposal to introduce an advanced learning program, known as International Baccalaureate, was met with enthusiastic approval from the School Committee Wednesday night.

”My sense is, and I don’t believe in hyperbole, that this is the biggest deal that has been presented to this school committee in a decade or more,” said Committee Chair Geoffrey Swett.

The high school program would allow graduates to go right into their sophomore years of college.

Wareham applied to be a candidate school in the program in January 2015. It will be fully grant-funded and will be part of the new Academy for Innovators and Entrepreneurs at the school, headed by Coordinator Mark Blake. The district currently has a grant from International Baccalaureate for $75,000, and is applying to get between $325,000 to $425,000 in grants and foundation money to start up the program.

The International Baccalaureate organization was founded in 1968, and offers an advanced academic track for students at 3,500 different IB-certified schools in 145 countries. The organization offers the primary years program for students ages 3 - 12; the middle years program for students ages 11 - 16; and the diploma program for students ages 16 - 19.

The high school-specific diploma program puts students on a four-year-long academic track that begins when students are in their freshman year of high school. It runs parallel to a standard high school diploma program, but the classes offered are much more rigorous, in order to mimic college-level classes. Students who pass the courses will be able to go straight into their sophomore year of college, if their chosen college recognizes International Baccalaureate certification.

High school Principal Scott Palladino and Andrea Schwamb, director of Curriculum and Development, made the presentation to the Committee Wednesday. They explained how the program works, what must be done to implement it, and the many benefits they believe it will provide to students willing to accept the challenge.

“We hope to have a good percentage of students who will take IB classes,” Palladino said. “I think the timing is right for this.”

International Baccalaureate diplomas are recognized both in the US and internationally. They are awarded at the tail end of summer and are in addition to conventional diplomas, he said. Committee member Cliff Sylvia agreed that the timing was perfect to introduce this to Wareham, particularly as a five-year high school that includes eighth graders is under consideration in the district.

“I know this works. I’ve seen it in Boston help students with self-pride, self-direction and being critical thinkers. So full steam ahead,” Sylvia said.

Certification as an authorized International Baccalaureate World School is a two-year process that is already under way. The school is working with a program consultant in Atlanta at a school where the program is already in place.

Wareham was awarded candidacy in June 2015 and the application will be concluded by April.

If successful, diploma courses will begin in August 2017 for students in grades 11 and 12. Additionally, there is a middle years program that allows students to segue into the senior curriculum. That certification is also being sought, Schwamb said.

“This is a huge deal and it could really change the direction of Wareham High School,” Palladino said. “Traditional teaching is going to be out the door.” Knowledge-based, hands-on learning and an infusion of technology will provide a total shift to what has been going on in education for the last 30 years, he said.

Students with this diploma would not only have an advantage when applying to college, but the rigorous courses would also earn them college credit.

More than 141,831 Diploma Program students around the world took their final exam in May 2015, according to the program's website, which reported there are now more than 1.3 million graduates of the program in 140 countries across the world.