What to expect/International Baccalaureate

[One_Girl]

My dd just got into a charter school that offers the International Baccalaureate program. I am excited to have her out of her old school. How is learning in a school like this different, better, or the same? Is there anything I should watch out for?

[MamaJenese]

What grade? My son was just accepted into a primary school that is an IB school. He will be entering K. My sister teaches an an IB high school.

[Marisgirl]

I am an IB graduate from high school and I will just tell you that the program is intense. Not intense to the point where they don't have a life, just intense in the AMOUNT of information that will be processed. After graduating from high school, I had enough credits to skip my entire freshmen year of college - that intense. I loved it though and wouldn't have changed anything around in the world.

[34me]

My kids did MYP and are in the HS program. I would agree with Marisgirl. The fact that she is starting in the primary program, so she will never know any different is also a plus.

[One_Girl]

Do they still value things like recess and socializing? What kind of teaching style is used? It seemed like kids would be exploring learning to some extent and developing critical thinking skills. Is that typically the case?

[AndrewsMother]

Originally Posted by One_Girl

Do they still value things like recess and socializing? What kind of teaching style is used? It seemed like kids would be exploring learning to some extent and developing critical thinking skills. Is that typically the case?

From my observations, IB students unlike AP students must rely on critical thinking instead of memorization to successfully pass the courses.

[Teacher35]

Don't

Originally Posted by One_Girl

Is there anything I should watch out for?

Yes everything. I would run as far from this program as I could.
They use 'constructivist' methods which allow them to infuse an agenda into the curriculum.

This program is purchased from the UN and the tests are sent to Geneva to be corrected.

You want a bunch of global socialists running your child's education?

You'd better read up on this first.

www.truthaboutib.com
www.ibo.org

Just look at their mission and goals. Your children will lose the American heritage of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. If this is what you are OK with, go right ahead.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by Teacher35

Yes everything. I would run as far from this program as I could.
They use 'constructivist' methods which allow them to infuse an agenda into the curriculum.

This program is purchased from the UN and the tests are sent to Geneva to be corrected.

You want a bunch of global socialists running your child's education?

You'd better read up on this first.

www.truthaboutib.com
www.ibo.org

Just look at their mission and goals. Your children will lose the American heritage of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. If this is what you are OK with, go right ahead.

Seriously? Dd has been in IB for 6 years now and I've seen none of that.

If she did become a global scientist and learned to question things like the American Constitution I'd be the happiest mommy on the planet, though.

Interesting first post.

[Qbear'smama]

Originally Posted by velochic

Seriously? If she did become a global scientist and learned to question things like the American Constitution I'd be the happiest mommy on the planet, though.

this global perspective is what makes me interested in the program (I'm not American, tho).

[velochic]

Originally Posted by Qbear'smama

this global perspective is what makes me interested in the program (I'm not American, tho).

Agree! Yes, there is definitely, at least in the PYP (that's where we are now, so I can't talk much about MYP or the diploma years) more emphasis than public school on thinking globally, but most definitely the lesson is to act locally. It's not like IB is going to turn your child into an Anti-american defector or something.

For example, today, dd's homework (3rd grade) is to look up the definitions of the PYP learner profile in her target language and for us to talk about what they mean (in English... they'll talk about it in the target language at school tomorrow). The PYP attributes are: caring, communicators, inquirers, knowledgeable, open-minded, principled, reflective, risk-takers, thinkers, balanced. I mean who wouldn't want their child to be all those things?

[One_Girl]

Thank you all for your input. I had heard that the IB program is one that encourages global awareness, which is something I want for my dd, but I also hope she gets the physical and social side of school that she would definitely get in our local public schools.

Teacher35: I don't mind if she becomes a socialist. I don't mind if my they get their curricullum from a member state of the UN, but I don't think the UN puts out in depth curricullum for schools, though they do have some cool links I am going to look into later for myself. The UN is made up of many countries that have many different types of political beliefs America and China have both been members since 1945 and our political beliefs are very different. I think you should look into your sources a little more.