International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme

Buckland Mills Elementary School is an Authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School

wildcat and ib logo

The Buckland Mills Elementary School community is committed to academic excellence. We believe that the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) is the model that will support our goal to guide students in becoming lifelong learners, critical and compassionate thinkers and responsible citizens of our country and world. The IB PYP framework is student centered, rigourous, and based on best teaching and learning practices.



students engaging in inquiry

As an IBPYP school, we teach and learn through inquiry.An inquiry-based education empowers students to reflect on, find, and solve problems in their lives. Our students construct meaning and talk about their thinking while exploring new concepts. We believe that students need to be engaged in their learning and must be given multiple opportunities to explore and show their knowledge. In inquiry-based learning, the students are highly active participants in their own learning. They make personal decisions about what and how they will learn and have a thorough understanding of what is expected of them.



students working cooperatively

Our students share their learning through a variety of products as well as traditional methods of assessment. We share expectations through the use of rubrics and provide specific feedback. These open-ended opportunities for demonstrating mastery of standards-based education encourage creativity and diversity. Student learning also includes self awareness and a responsibility to recognize our common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet. The Learner Profiles coupled with the Approaches to Learning are essential to these understandings.

student examples of learner profiles

learner profiles 2

Currently, our students are beginning to speak Spanish, and they are learning to value other cultures. We are learning about other perspectives and traditions. We also have a learning garden and a Rooted in Education living labratory garden for students to create authentic connections with local and global connections. 5th grade refers to the UN Sustainability Development Goals to support their Exhibition research, with academic ties to actionable ways we can become caring and compassionate citizens of the world. Buckland Mills has begun a composting program, and all classrooms have access to recycling bins to continue our positive impact on our environment.

students in garden and showing exhibition projects

Wildcats Take Action!
We are embracing and responding to the needs of our community and world. Every year we provide coats to those in need through our Coats from Caring Wildcats Program. We also collect canned goods to fill the shelves of our local food bank and used glasses to help people see. Our SCA also supports service action and opportunities for their school community. We've done donations for Boxes for Basics, Pencil4U, and hosted an animal shelther supply drive as well. Taking local action to support a global mission of being compassionate thinkers.
bags of cans of food paper turkey and more donated food more tubs of donated food






With every new opportunity that arises, we challenge ourselves to reach beyond our community to create a positive impact on our world.
PWCS Specialty Program Transfer Information
The IB PYP program is for all students at Buckland Mills Elementary School. We consider transfer students interested in our school's programme from the following schools: Alvey ES, Glenkirk ES, Gravely ES, Haymarket ES, Mountain View ES, and Tyler ES,. Applications can be submitted from November 1-February 1.
Who Can Apply?
Rising 1st graders-5th Grade students zoned for Alvey ES, Glenkirk ES, Gravely ES, Haymarket ES, Mountain View ES, and Tyler ES
For more information on PWCS Specialty Programs and how to apply, please visit www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/advanced_academics___specialty_programs/specialty_programs/index
Mission Statement from the IBO

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.

 

IB Mission statement, ibo.org

Tessa Swiger, IB PYP Coordinator