Feb. 11, 2017 -- Want to learn more about the International Baccalaureate (IB) program or what's happening at the District's IB schools? Download and read the first installment of our monthly IB newsletter, which was written and edited by IB Coordinators Leslie Garrett and Melissa Garcar.
Download the February IB Newsletter.
CH-UH has three authorized IB schools: Canterbury Elementary, Roxboro Elementary and Roxboro Middle. Two District schools are in the candidate phase: Monticello Middle and Fairfax Elementary. Monticello is expected to receive official authorization this spring.
What Is IB?
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) offers a continuum of international education. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.
In order to teach IB programmes, schools must be authorized. Every school authorized to offer IB programmes is known as an IB World School.
Primary Years Program
The PYP prepares students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child.
Middle Years Program
A challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, the MYP is inclusive by design; students of all interests and academic abilities can benefit from their participation.
CH-UH currently offers both the PYP and MYP programs.
Authorized Schools
Canterbury Elementary
Roxboro Elementary
Roxboro Middle
Candidate Schools
Fairfax Elementary
Monticello Middle
Roxboro Elementary School
Roxboro Elementary is in the sixth year of delivering Ohio’s curriculum through an IB framework. The IB Leadership Team, comprised of grade-level teacher leaders, support staff, and parent representatives, is currently planning to undertake a required, year-long self-study of our IB Primary Years Program (PYP).
Our IB friends in Shaker Heights have shared their self-study journey with us, and we are feeling confident. Over the next year, we will collect evidence and write essays that relate to the standards and practices of IB.
Roxboro Middle School
Roxboro Middle School is currently in year two of post-authorization. Teachers in the eight Middle Years Program (MYP) subjects are required to teach self-created units that cover key concepts and assess our students using an eight-point rubric used around the world. These criterion are assessed two times per year and are reported in Infinite Campus.
Our students have read great books as part of IB units, have gone on field trips as extensions of IB units, have performed for parents and community members as parts of IB units, have completed real-life connections because of IB units, and have begun the community service components of the MYP. Beginning this March, our eighth grade students will start their mandatory “Community Project” on a topic of their choice that inspires passion and action.
Canterbury Elementary School
Canterbury Elementary is the newest CH-UH school to be IB authorized, having completed verification in Spring 2016. Our teachers are using the written planners from last year and are making changes as needed. We are reflecting on the activities, books, videos, field trips, and daily plans of our units and providing evidence to the student learning.
This past January, our literacy lead created a night of “travel to new places and see new faces” which used the six IB themes as a guiding light for activities. Families became more familiar with the themes and visited fun stations.
Fairfax Elementary School
Fairfax is currently working on developing and teaching PYP inquiry based units of instruction. Students are engaged in activities that meet the curricular standards while also allowing opportunities for exploration and inquiry in the classroom.
Each grade level K-5 is required to teach six transdisciplinary units, which reach across the content areas by using concepts to make connections. Concepts that are currently being taught through IB inquiry units include: creativity, energy, communities, interdependence, conflict and exploration.
Monticello Middle School
Monticello is in the second year of IB MYP Candidacy. The staff has worked diligently to implement the IB MYP framework at a fast-tracked pace in order to prepare for the verification visit this March. A team from the IB Organization will be visiting March 16-17 to document evidence of required practices.
Teachers are currently developing rigorous learning experiences and real world application opportunities that allow students to use critical thinking, collaboration and creativity in the classrooms.