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School Choice Open Enrollment

Fernbank Elementary

Dekalb County Schools

IB Primary Years Programme

 
 
Fernbank Elementary became authorized to teach the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Primary Years Programme (PYP) in January 2008. We are proud to be part of the growing IB world community.

The IB coordinator for Fernbank Elementary is Kelly Taylor.
 
The IB Mission Statement
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
 

What is the Primary Years Program?
 

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. It is defined by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning.
 

IB learners strive to be: Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Risk- takers or Courageous, Knowledgeable, Principled, Caring, Open-minded, Balanced, Reflective. These 10 attributes are valued by all IB World Schools. They can help our students become responsible members of local, national, and global communities.


Primary Years Programme (PYP) Fernbank Elementary School (678) 874-9302

Students in the 21st century are faced with the challenge of learning about an interconnected world where knowledge is constantly developing.

Curriculum: The most significant and distinctive feature of the IB Primary Years Programme is the six transdisciplinary themes: · Who we are ; · Where we are in place and time ;· How we express ourselves ;· How the world works · How we organize ourselves ; · Sharing the planet

The six transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a programme of inquiry – investigations into important ideas, identified by the teachers, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the students. These inquiries are substantial, in-depth and usually last for several weeks. In keeping with the international focus of PYP, students are required to learn a second language.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) Druid Hills Middle School (678) 874-7602

Life in the 21st century places many changing demands on students making the transition through adolescence.

The IB Middle Years Programme, for students aged 11 to 16, provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers.

Curriculum: The programme consists of eight subject groups integrated through six relevant global contexts: · English · Second Language · Humanities · Sciences · Mathematics · Arts · Physical Education · Technology

The overall philosophy of the programme is expressed through three fundamental concepts that support and strengthen all areas of the curriculum. These concepts are based on: intercultural awareness, holistic learning and communication.
 

Diploma Programme (DP) Druid Hills High School (678) 874-6302

The IB Diploma Programme is a 2-year academically challenging and balanced programme of education based on international standards which prepares students for success at the university and life.

Curriculum: IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level during their last two years of high school. Students must choose one subject from each of the groups ensuring breadth of experience.
Group 1: Language A
Group 2: Language 
Group 3: Individuals and Society  
Group 4: Experimental Sciences 
Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science

Group 6: The Arts 
Extended essay involves independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the 6 subjects

Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing and different kinds of knowledge. Creativity, action, service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom.