Pathways to College, Career and Citizenship

The Bellingham School District has a clear mission of developing students who are future ready for college, career and citizenship.  Our schools share a common curriculum outlined in the state and district standards.  Principals, working with their school communities and supervisors, may propose researched-based special programs, models or initiatives for consideration.  Many factors will be considered, including how proposals align within the district’s K-12 system.  Examples of special programs or models include the Collaborative Specialist Model, AVID, GEAR UP, NCOSP and the Learning Network.  The district is currently exploring all-day kindergarten, world language models K-12, career and technical education visioning and more.

When new schools have opened in the district, planning principals have created an initial vision prior to staffing (i.e., collective commitments at Bellingham High School, houses within a school at Squalicum High School, teaming and student-led conferences at Kulshan Middle School).

Questions and answers about Wade King Elementary becoming an International Baccalaureate World School

Question:  What is the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)?

Answer:   The IBO is a non-profit educational foundation offering high quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools.  The organization offers three programs for students (Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program, Diploma Program) to help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live in a rapidly globalizing world.  There are more than 582,000 IB students at 2,167 schools in 125 countries.  The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Question:  What does thePrimary Years Program (PYP) offer?

Answer:  The PYP is designed for students between the ages of 3 and 12 years.  It is an international, trans-disciplinary program designed to foster the development of the whole child, not just in the classroom but also through other means of learning.  The PYP focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare. 

Question:  Are IB schools based on solid educational theory, methodology and best practices?

Answer:  IB Schools combine research and best practices from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant and engaging educational framework for all children.  (Vygotsky, Gardner, Marzano etc.)

Question:  Does the IBO have a specific curriculum?

Answer:  The IB framework does not replace state or district learning standards.  It expands on them to provide an international perspective that relates Bellingham, Washington and the United States to the larger global community.  At the heart of the PYP philosophy is a commitment to structured inquiry as the leading vehicle for learning.  Six trans-disciplinary themes provide the framework for the exploration of knowledge.  Teachers and students are guided by these themes as they design curricular units of investigation and study.  Students explore subject areas through these themes, often in ways that transcend conventional subject boundaries. In the process, they develop an understanding of important concepts, acquire essential skills and knowledge, develop particular attitudes and learn to take socially responsible action.

Question:  What else makes the Primary Years Program (PYP) unique?

Answer:  In addition to structured inquiry as the main way students learn, IB schools offer a second world language for all students, which is a district graduation requirement.  Students are provided character education to develop international mindedness, which is expressed in a series of attributes and attitudes embedded in the school culture.  An expectation of the PYP is that successful inquiry will lead to students taking responsible action.

Question:  Do teachers receive special training?

Answer:   Yes.  All teachers are trained in the philosophy, mission and methodology of the IBO.  Teachers are expected to collaboratively design and use trans-disciplinary units of inquiry and rigorous assessment practices.  There is ongoing training in specific aspects of the PYP for all authorized World Schools.  Teachers are supported by an IB coordinator., who can also serve as a coach to help implement the program. 

Question:  Are IB Programs for all children?  Are they more like Advanced Placement courses or honors programs?

Answer:  The Primary Years Program and Middle Years Program are designed for all students.  While holding high expectations and rigor for all, teachers provide personalized instruction to keep all students engaged in meaningful learning.  The High School Diploma Program is more like Advanced Placement and not all students choose the demanding requirements of an IB Diploma. 

Question:   How do you become an IB authorized World School?

Answer:  IB World Schools go through an intensive two to three year authorization process.  This includes a study of the school’s resources and commitment to the IB mission and philosophy. 

Question:  What are the costs of becoming an authorized IB World School?  Where will we get the resources?

Answer:  IB schools incur costs by providing ongoing professional development for all staff, offering a second world language, having an IB coordinator and paying an annual fee.  The district and schools will need to explore reallocating existing resources to cover the required components of an IB school.  There is no additional funding available at the current time.  Families attending IB schools will not be expected to pay tuition or extra charges. 

Question:  Are there other IB Schools in Washington State?

Answer:  There are no elementary schools who offer the Primary Years Program in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana.  There are three schools who offer the Middle Years Program and 15 high schools who offer the Diploma Program in Washington State.  There are six Primary Years Program schools in British Columbia, Canada. 

Question:  How was it decided that King Elementary could begin the process of becoming an IB World School?

Answer:  The Planning Principal was charged with the responsibility of creating a vision for the new school.  After considering a variety of models and programs for elementary schools, the Planning Principal presented a proposal to the Superintendent to go forward with the feasibility study/consideration phase of becoming an IB World School as he works with the school community in establishing its mission. He then was authorized by the School Board to visit IB schools and explore this option.  This is a two to three-year authorization process.  The Board will need to take action when the application is made.  Staff will attend initial training this summer.

Question:  Who will attend King Elementary?  Will families have a choice?

Answer:   New elementary attendance boundaries were approved by the School Board last spring.  King Elementary has a designed geographic attendance area.  Any family who would like their children to attend a school different than their assigned school can apply through the district transfer request process—Policy 3131.  Transfer requests are approved based on space availability and staffing/resource capacity at the school.

Question:  How can I find out more about the International Baccalaureate Organization and its programs?

Answer:  Go to the website: www.ibo.org .

Contact for King Elementary:  Planning Principal Rob McElroy 

(360) 676-6470 ext. 4438 or rmcelroy@bham.wednet.edu