Lower School

The Lower School curriculum is structured around the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. The Lower School program is driven by concept acquisition and is inquiry-based. Students learn a global perspective incorporating mathematics, social studies, drama, language, music, visual arts, science, and computer technology along with personal, social and physical education.

The programme:

• encourages international-mindedness in IB students. 
• encourages a positive attitude to learning by engaging students in inquiries and developing their awareness of the process of learning so that they become lifelong learners. 
• reflects real life by encouraging learning beyond traditional subjects with meaningful, in-depth inquiries into real issues.

In Preschool through Grade Five, students explore six units of inquiry each year. These six to eight-week transdisciplinary units are investigations into important ideas and require a high level of involvement on the part of the students. In each grade level, the themes revolve around the following topics: 

• 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

In addition to the critical thinking skills developed through these transdisciplinary units, students also learn all the skills necessary to effectively communicate their understandings. Reading, writing, mathematics and information skills are embedded into the entire program. The school also offers supplementary classes in music, Spanish, physical education, art and technology. By blending IB learning and traditional skills learning in the classroom, Lower School students are well prepared to transition into the Middle School at St. Mary’s.

Throughout the IB Primary Years Programme students and parents will come to develop an understanding of the IB learner profile. The ten aspirational qualities of the learner profile inspire and motivate the work of teachers, students and schools, providing a statement of the aims and values of the IB and a definition of what we mean by “international-mindedness”.  IB learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective. 

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Lower School Curriculum Guide

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