UPPER ST. CLAIR, Pa. -- More than three hours of heated debate on Monday night didn't get the Upper St. Clair school board to change its mind.

Board members voted 5-4 to discontinue the International Baccalaureate program, touching off boos and rowdiness from a crowd of about 900 parents and neighbors at the Upper St. Clair High School theater.

Juniors and seniors already in the IB program will be able to finish the course, but it will end for all other grades.

The board cited excessive costs and said there was no proof to show that IB students do any better in school than other children.

Based out of Switzerland, the IB program teaches classes from a world viewpoint and has drawn criticism, especially from conservative groups.

One review said no longer are children learning the difference between capitalism and socialism.

Some students and their parents said that's not the way they look at it.

"More open-minded, and they do teach us American values," said IB student Terri Clister. "It just suggests that you keep an open mind and embrace other cultures, as well."

"It offered the opportunity to learn in an environment that really facilitated thinking," said parent Karen Williams. "We want her to become a lifelong learner, not just someone who went to school to have facts, you know, rote facts."

Earlier on Monday, parents and students protested on the streets outside the high school in advance of the meeting.