International Baccalaureate Candidacy- Primary Years Programme

 

Inquiry based instruction is the foundation of academics in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP). It’s rigorous process of accreditation and authorization makes the IB a prestigious brand throughout the world. Research has demonstrated that the PYP provides significant educational advantages to students throughout the world. St. Andrew Catholic School is a candidate school* for the Primary Years Programme. We will be a fully authorized school in August of 2023. As our mission statement reflects:

St. Andrew Catholic School is a diverse, nurturing community that fosters faith development, intellectual curiosity, respect for others, and lifelong learning. Our graduates are poised to achieve their God given potential for greater things in service of Church, family, and community.

 

The key to academic success is making sure students are engaged with what they are learning. Inquiry based instruction, the foundation of an IB education, is a student centered approach where a teacher guides students through questions to discover information. This approach emphasizes the student’s role in the learning process, rather than the teacher telling students what they need to know. Students are encouraged to explore beyond the lesson, ask questions, and share ideas. They will gain a deeper understanding by diving into a concept rather than simply given an idea, formula or rule. This process of asking open-ended questions empowers students to take ownership of their learning and allows them to make their own connections rather than just memorizing and restating information.

 

Many of the preliminary steps are already in place. St. Andrew Catholic School is already a school where:

 

While our overall goals will not change much, you will notice some changes in the ways teachers teach, plan, and learn.

Mr. Kim, our PYP Coordinator, ensures that our faculty have additional professional development, and more importantly, have time to collaborate with each other. Through it all, we will continue to prepare students in living and witnessing Gospel values committed to being inquisitive life-long learners.

 

All IB schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education we believe is important for our students. The aim of all IB programs, is to develop internationally minded students who, recognize our common humanity and share stewardship of the earth helping create a better and more peaceful world.