International Baccalaureate (IB)

Baltimore International Academy West is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years and Middle Years Programs and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. 

IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improving the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision. *

*Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its four academic programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP), the Diploma Program, or the Career-related Program (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.

For further information about the IB and its programs, visit https://ibo.org

 

IB Mission Statement

 

"The International Baccalaureate 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 programs of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."

 

IB Teaching and Learning

 

The IB provides Programs that challenge students to excel in their studies and encourage academic and personal achievement. The organization’s programs are evidence-based instructional best practices, centered on inquiry-based learning.

 

Inquiry-based learning is a form of active learning that starts when a teacher poses questions, problems, or scenarios—rather than simply presenting established facts or portraying a smooth path to knowledge. The teacher functions as a facilitator, rather than a subject matter expert who provides all the knowledge. Click on the link below for a brief video of teachers explaining how students learn at an IB World School.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdYev6MXTOA

 

Learning through the IB encourages students to:

• think critically and challenge what they are told

• consider both their local and international environments

• think independently and drive their own learning

• achieve international mindedness, understanding the self in order to effectively connect to others