Parent Student Handbook

What You Will See in a Primary Years Programme (PYP) School:

Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based Learning includes teaching methods built on students' individual knowledge and interests, and emphasizes learning how to learn and how to find out, using both traditional and contemporary media.

Units of Inquiry

Each teacher has the mandate that the learning within their classroom must be engaging, relevant, challenging and significant. There are no time-filling worksheets in a PYP classroom! Teachers are viewed as facilitators and not ‘distributors’ of knowledge. All learning is framed under six Transdisciplinary Themes: Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How We Organize Ourselves, Sharing the Planet, and How the World Works.

Communication

In a PYP classroom all learning outcomes are transparent and accessible for the entire learning community including parents, students and other teachers.

Collaboration

Teachers work closely with their colleagues to constantly reflect, review and revise the program and collaboration is an expected part of the school community.

What are students doing? 

• Students are making choices and decisions. 
• Students are using materials in flexible and imaginative ways.
• Students are initiating inquiry and are asking questions. 
• Students are working collaboratively with others. 
• Students are sustaining their interest and are expanding their knowledge. 
• Students are constructing understanding. 

International Baccalaureate Terminology and Policies

As an IB World School, we have some unique language and policies that guide our IB practices. A table of Primary Years Programme Terminology, IB Policies, and our IB Complaint Procedure are included in the appendices at the end of this handbook. Policies include our Academic Integrity Policy, Admissions Policy, Enhanced Assessment Policy, Inclusion Policy, and Language Policy.