What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme?

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 Programme 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 programme, for K to grade 5.

Click here to learn more about the Primary Years Programme (PYP), grades K through 5.
Click here to learn more about the Middle Years Programme (MYP), grades 6 though 8.

The IB Programme is Unique

We offer a continuum of education, consisting of three individual programmes. At Soundview, we span the years from kindergarten to middle school.

The IB is a high quality education sustained for over 35 years. The IB curriculum represents the best from many different countries rather than the exported national system of any one. We maintain our high standards by actively training and supporting teachers, and we are authorized and evaluated as a IB World School through the IB organization.

We cultivate international-mindedness in IB students. To do this, we believe that students must first develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. All IB students learn a second language and the skills to live and work with others internationally—essential for life in the 21st century.

We encourage a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to reflect critically, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn. We encourage community service because we believe that there is more to learning than academic studies alone.

IB World Schools are under the same curriculum framework and the teachers and the schools are able to network through the IB on-line curriculum center.

The IB organization ensures the consistency of the program year to year as the students moving through the school system through the coherent IB framework and unit planners.

How Does the IB Define "International Education"?

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) chooses to define "international education" according to the following criteria.

• Developing citizens of the world in relation to culture, language and learning to live together
• Building and reinforcing students' sense of identity and cultural awareness
• Fostering students' recognition and development of universal human values
• Stimulating curiosity and inquiry in order to foster a spirit of discovery and enjoyment of learning
• Equipping students with the skills to learn and acquire knowledge, individually or collaboratively, and to apply these skills and knowledge accordingly across a broad range of areas
• Providing international content while responding to local requirements and interests
• Encouraging diversity and flexibility in teaching methods
• Providing appropriate forms of assessment and international benchmarking

IB Learner Profile
The IB learner profile is the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century.

The learner profile provides a long-term vision of education. It is a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.