International Baccalaureate
Welcome to the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township
International Baccalaureate Website
The Metropolitan School District of Washington Township is making transformational and systemic changes that enhance the teaching and learning for all Washington Township students. Having hosted the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for more than 20 years, the District is extending the International Baccalaureate (IB) to all of its elementary and middle school students, making it the first district-wide IB program in the state of Indiana.
The Continuum of Washington Township’s International Baccalaureate Education
The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers a sequence of three high-quality programs of international education. In Washington Township, the Primary Years Program (PYP) serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The Middle Years Program (MYP) serves students in sixth through tenth grade, and the Diploma Program (DP) serves students in eleventh and twelfth grade. The PYP and MYP are school-wide, all-inclusive programs that ALL Washington Township elementary and middle school students receive. Participation in the DP at North Central High School is by student choice and selection is based upon a three-step application process. Historically, in Washington Township the term IB has referred to North Central’s Diploma Program. With the addition of the PYP and MYP in the elementary and middle schools, the term IB now refers to a much larger continuum of education offered in all schools.
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All three programs, PYP, MYP, and DP, focus on the development of the whole child, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth through the study of languages, humanities, technologies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. The approaches to teaching and learning are diverse and flexible allowing teachers to meet the individual needs of all students. Teachers stimulate curiosity and foster lifelong learning in all students. |
| The Learner Profile is a set of attributes that defines the type of learner IB aims to develop through its three programs. The profile combines knowledge, skills, and creative and critical thought to educate the whole child and prepare them for active and responsible citizenship. As a significant component of all three programs, the Learner Profile is central to the meaning of international-mindedness. All IB learners strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. Learn more about the IB Learner Profile. |
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Each program also includes a student-initiated community service component that encourages students to extend their learning beyond the classroom. The service can involve service to their classmates or to the larger local and global community. Through such action, students develop skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution that encourage thoughtful, active citizenship. |
The International Baccalaureate 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.
Journey to Authorization
While many of the instructional strategies and components of IB are already being implemented in all Washington Township classrooms, the journey to becoming an authorized IB school takes anywhere from three to five years. All Washington Township Schools are in phase two of three of the authorization process.
The MSDWT International Baccalaureate Head Council
Consisting of administrative and teacher representatives from all Washington Township Schools, the MSDWT IB Head Council serves as an advisory group to the superintendent and his leadership team.
Learn more about the MSDWT IB Head Council here.