The
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) strives to develop internationally-minded students who demonstrate the attributes of the IB Learner Profile by ensuring that learning is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant. A crucial piece of Shaker Heights Schools PYP learning is the action cycle, which encourages students to take action to make a positive difference in the world around them at school, at home, in the community and beyond. Learn more about:
IB Learner Profile
As IB learners, our students are encouraged to develop the ten attributes of an International Baccalaureate Learner: Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker, Communicator, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-taker, Balanced and Reflective. Read more about the IB Learner Profile.
- Who we are.
- Where we are in place and time.
- How we express ourselves.
- How the world works.
- How we organize ourselves.
- Sharing the planet.
Key Concepts and Questions
The PYP also includes eight key concepts and key questions—powerful ideas that have relevance within the subject area and that students explore and re-explore in order to develop a coherent, in-depth understanding. They are:
- Form—What is it like?
- Function—How does it work?
- Causation—Why is it like it is?
- Change—How is it changing?
- Connection—How is it connected to other things?
- Perspective—What are the points of view?
- Responsibility—What is our responsibility?
Exhibition
The culminating event for the PYP is Fourth-Grade Exhibition, a collaborative project in which students form groups to conduct an in-depth inquiry into real life issues or problems. This inquiry develops students’ research skills, engages them with experts in a variety of subject areas and encourages them to take responsible action. Our student groups present their findings to their families and community members at each elementary school’s IB Exhibition Night, held in May.
PYP-IB Policies
As authorized PYP schools, the school leadership and administrative structure must develop policies that support the programme. Specifically, schools must implement language and assessment policies that are consistent with IB expectations. Review our IB policies below: