*timeline is subject to change*

South Smithfield Elementary School is a candidate school for the PYP. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students. Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.

For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.

SSE has structured class schedules to allow for times for which teachers teach transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry and make cross curricular connections. Throughout the day, students will be involved in inquiry-based learning that challenges them to go beyond the normal classroom experience, as well as across and above traditional subject boundaries. Students will be encouraged to be open-minded thinkers and doers. Our hope is that our students will become knowledgeable about the world around them and that they will take action to make their world a better place.

Please feel free to ask me or your child’s teacher any questions about how the Programme of Inquiry is being implemented within their classroom. I look forward to working with you throughout this school year.

Amanda Jackson
IB Coordinator @ SSE
amandaljackson@johnston.k12.nc.us
919-934-8979 ext. 5707

Candidacy-a period of time when we will begin trial implementation of the programme that will last no less than one academic year. During this time, SSE will commit to improving the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of inquiry-based learning.

• 20 hours of remote consultation per year of candidacy. The remote consultation can be carried out via email, telephone or online conversations.

• One two-day, on-site visit from the consultant. The visit is planned by the school and the consultant and can take place at any time within the process, depending upon the school’s needs.

IB Consultant- an individual assigned by the IB who has been fully trained according to global IB policies. This person offers support during the school’s trial implementation period. Both after the consultation visit and at the end of the consultation process, the school will receive a report from the consultant. Each report summarizes the progress made by the school towards meeting the requirements for authorization and provides feedback on the school’s readiness to apply for authorization.

Applying for Authorization- Once SSE feels prepared to meet the requirements of the programme, we will fill out an electronic application. On the application, we will provide evidence of IB programme implementation. A team will come out to evaluate our school based on those evidences.

IB World School- An International Baccalaureate World School aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.