What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program?

The IB is an internationally respected curriculum and framework that was developed in the 1960s to facilitate international movement of diplomats. The organization pulled the best practices of a variety of countries, and created the two-year Diploma Program, for grades 11 and 12. It is a rigorous, university level curriculum that challenges able, motivated students. The Middle Years Program was introduced in the early 1990s to prepare students for the diploma program; typically it would cover grades 6-10. In the late 1990s the IB completed its work by adding the Primary Years program, for K to grade 5.

Why Soundview is adopting IB

The IB curriculum model places students and the way they learn at its center. The child’s development is the basis of the whole educational process. The IB programs prepare students to be resilient, flexible, confident, conscientous and positive people who know how to think, create and reflect.

IB is a curriculum framework that guides teachers in following “best practices”. IB doesn’t dictate what to teach. However, teachers need to articulate why and how they are teaching. Through consistent assessment before and after teaching, teachers, parents and students are able to measure their learning progress. In order to meet the IB curriculum model criteria, teachers and school become more accountable and consistent in following the best educational practices.

IB is an ideal curriculum model for especially bright and creative students. Soundview School is already practicing the majority of these excellent practices, so the implementation of the IB framework will not feel that different from what we are currently doing.

IB learners strive to model the 10 traits of the IB learner profile. The following video helps bring the IB Learner Profile alive:

A successful IB program needs:

• Intelligent, creative and dedicated teachers who understand the IB curriculum model and its framework. The IB programs’ frame work is complex and every teacher and administrator must understand the IB curriculum model and share its educational philosophy. Most Soundview teachers hold a Master’s degree. Many teachers have lived in different countries and understand the importance of global perspective.
• Small class sizes to be able to pay attention to the individual student
• The whole school’s mission has to match the IBO’s mission, NOT an individual school leader’s or parent’s passion.
• A commitment to arts, foreign language, humanities, math, science, and technology.