IB CURRICULUM
The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is considered the world's leading academic program for college readiness, the "gold standard" course of study that most U.S. schools reserve for only their top five percent of students or fewer.
ISI proudly takes a different approach to the IB by extending its impact to all enrolled students, a model that we refer to as universal IB.
Further, ISI is the only school in Indiana where this universal approach is applied across the full continuum of the IB curriculum - from the IB Primary Years Program that starts with our students at 3 years old to the IB Middle Years Program and through to the IB Diploma Program for our students in grades 11 and 12.
All members of the ISI faculty are trained IB practitioners for their appropriate level, and it is their experience and quality that routinely have our students outperforming the average attainment rates of their global peers from the 5,000+ schools in 156 countries that are also designated as IB World Schools.
Why the IB is different
The International Baccalaureate (IB) programs aim to do more than other curricula. IB programs develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The IB gives students distinct advantages by building their critical thinking skills, nurturing their curiosity and their ability to solve complex problems.
The IB strives to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect, alongside a healthy appetite for learning and excellence.
- The IB's programs are different from other curricula because they:
- encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions
- develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools
- encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts
- develop multilingual students.
IB students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are also likely to perform well academically – often better than students on other curricula.
The Primary Years Programme (PYP), for children aged 3 to Grade 5, nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. The PYP is a student-centered approach which offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding.
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides a challenging framework that encourages students from Grade 6 to 10 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. The program empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The Diploma Programme (DP) is a curriculum for Grades 11 & 12 which aims to develop students with an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – who flourish intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Research has found the DP develops students who are better able to manage their time and meet expectations placed on them. The DP culminates in final exams and a qualification welcomed by leading universities in the US and around the world.