Since there was such a wonderful display of learning through Personal Projects last night culminating a key component of the Middle Years Programme (MYP), it’s a good time to remind us of some of the key reasons why we affirmed our commitment to the International Baccalaureate by adding both the PYP and MYP to our continuum of study. In a nutshell, education in IB schools focuses on some key tenets (from the IB website):
- centres on learners
- develops effective approaches to teaching and learning
- works within global contexts, helping students understand different languages and cultures
- explores significant content, developing a disciplinary and interdisciplinary understanding that meets rigorous international standards.
In essence, the integration of content through dynamic cycles of inquiry, action, and reflection serves to develop approaches to and disciplines of learning. Think about how this matches our core values of Bounce Back (self-reliance) and Step Forward (Agency and Action). Our other values are seen as well through collaboration, relevance, and an international perspective. Truly, the programme matches both our qualities and our aspirations.
IB programmes are about working closely with students to empower them to construct meaning from their learning and, in the process, build skills of independence in both learning and doing that will last a lifetime.
Much applause to the mentorship of teachers and the capability of our 10th graders in their presentations last night. For our first iteration of the capstone event, we can all be proud of the accomplishment!