With more than 50 years of history and being a very prestigious educational system, there are often misconceptions and doubts about this rigorous educational methodology. It is true that educational quality, teaching methodology and school environment are essential aspects when thinking about the educational center that best suits your children.
The main concern is to make a choice that will last for years and that, in addition, will condition the future of your children. There is not a single formula, nor is there a single option. Every day we have more personalized, wide-ranging and varied educational models. Among all of them, Casvi International American School stands out, which is not only an American international school with native teachers, it is much more. Because its educational project is based on the three International Baccalaureate Programs, a recognized methodology that promotes the development of skills and abilities of all children from an early age.
But do we really know what the International Baccalaureate is and what are the differences between its different grades? The International Baccalaureate Organization, better known as IB, “offers four demanding and quality educational programs to a community of schools around the world, with the purpose of creating a better and more peaceful world”, according to the Organization. The main objective of this methodology is to train caring, informed and knowledgeable young people, capable of contributing positively to the current challenges of society, within the framework of mutual understanding, intercultural respect and through a broadly international mindset.
The IB formed its first program in 1968, the so-called Diploma Program (DP), since then all programs of this methodology are studied in more than 5,000 schools in 158 countries, according to Europa Press. The DP is one of the most historic stages within this teaching methodology, consisting of six groups of subjects and three core components of the program. Theory of Knowledge is one of them, which encourages students to become more aware of the world around them, and of their own perspectives and assumptions. All of this, through the exploration of an essential question, “How do we know what we know?”.
Over time, the IB began to introduce new levels to its Organization. With the addition of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in 1994, and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in 1997, the IB formed a continuum of international education programs for students from ages 3 to 19. During the PYP level, students aim to learn to transcend traditional boundaries between subject areas. In the MYP, each student develops the skills to explore six global contexts developed and expanded from the PYP’s transdisciplinary themes: identities and relationships, spatial orientation, and scientific and technical innovation.
Each one of the PEP programs reflects “the primary intention of providing an education that enables students to understand the complexities of the world around them, as well as to develop the skills and aptitudes necessary to take responsible action for the future,” according to the organization. Each stage provides students with an education that transcends disciplinary, cultural, national and geographic boundaries, and also fosters critical engagement, stimulating ideas and effective relationships.
Without any doubt, the IB is a prestigious but demanding teaching methodology that forms global citizens capable of making real contributions to the world around us. Education is the only tool at our disposal to build a better, and more educated world. Therefore, at Casvi International American School, our belief is that learning to learn is fundamental to the education of our students, and for this reason, we believe that IB education is more relevant and necessary than ever because the IB methodology is based on:
- Is inquiry-based
- Is focused on conceptual understanding
- It is developed in local and global contexts
- Focuses on teamwork
- Removes barriers to learning
- Is guided by constant evaluation
