“We want to offer our students as rigorous and fantastic of an education as possible and remain true to our philosophy. Becoming an International Baccalaureate School allows us to remain true to who we are as Discovery School with a little bit more framework and it allows us to connect with the rest of the world,” stated Head of Discovery School, Amy Oswalt.
This April, Discovery School was selected as a candidate to become an International Baccalaureate World School (IB World School). With authorization as an IB World School, Discovery will be able to implement the Primary Years Program (PYP) in its curriculum.
The PYP is one of four programs offered by the International Baccalaureate (IB). It targets children ages 3-12 and focuses on six subject areas: language, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and personal, social and physical education.
The most distinctive feature of the PYP is the six trans-disciplinary themes:
1. Who we are
2. Where we are in place and time
3. How we express ourselves
4. How the world works
5. How we organize ourselves
6. Sharing the planet
These themes are meant to engage students beyond the confines of learning within subject areas and allow for the incorporation of local and global issues into the curriculum. The themes are addressed year round, with the exception of students aged 3 – 5 who may focus on four of the themes yearly.
In order to become an IB school, the candidates must undergo an extensive application process. Discovery will spend the next two years as a candidate school. During which time, teachers will be trained according the IB’s professional development. The teachers will also create their own curriculum based on the six trans-disciplinary themes. After the two years are up, Discovery will consult the IB for a two-day visit to the school. Then, the IB will determine Discovery’s authorization as an IB school.
“The PYP is a great way to teach kids. It’s definitely what I believe in as an educator,” stated Oswalt.
Amy Oswalt has been an educator for 13 years, working in various locations across the globe, including Northern Ireland and Malaysia. Oswalt became familiar with the PYP during her employment at Bexley City School in Columbus, Ohio where she taught students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.
“With what I’ve seen from students involved in the PYP is that their ability to analyze and synthesize information is enhanced. The students are making connections about the world around them,” stated Oswalt.
She then mentioned, “The addition of the PYP would add recognition to the Mansfield-area. Because the IB World Schools maintain consistent curriculums they teach (regardless of location), that’s very attractive to people from different countries, thus the PYP may attract more professionals to the area.”
