 In 1994 , Joseph M. Wilson , a lawyer by trade with degrees from Amherst College ( B.A. ) , the University of Pennsylvania ( M.A. ) , the University of Southern California ( J.D. ) , and Harvard University ( M.A. ) , was appointed principal and with the support of alumni and parents , was able to secure more funding and additional autonomy from the Baltimore City Public Schools . Wilson introduced the IB Diploma Program in 1998 . The turnaround Wilson orchestrated led to a quick resurgence and restoration of the school 's academic reputation . Enrollment , student performance , and the quality of the colleges and universities to which graduates matriculated improved , which attracted critical acclaim from education professionals and international media attention . In 2000 , City College was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School , the highest academic honor bestowed by the U.S. Department of Education . In 2001 , the Toronto National Post reported on its search for the perfect high school in Great Britain , the United States , and Canada . One subject of the prominent feature article was Baltimore City College and its turnaround . 
