International Program
VS Smart City is an International Baccalaureate Candidacy School
IB Candidacy
Our Goal
Learning for the future
The Smart City primary school is an IB candidate school. This means that we are currently working towards certification for the International Baccalaureate (IB). During this candidate phase, our teachers undergo intensive further training in order to design lessons according to the principles of the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) and actively put what they have learned into practice. Our students learn in a transdisciplinary way: Each subject is taught in the context of the “Program of Inquiry”, specifically focusing on children’s questions and curiosity.
Milestones
Our journey to IB - Authorization
Current status: Preparation for the authorization visit
We have successfully completed the consultation phase and are now preparing for the next big step: our authorization visit. This will take place on June 12 and 13. During this visit, we will welcome 2 representatives from the IB organization.
They will speak with parents, students, teachers and board members to ensure that we are implementing the IB program as outlined in the IB documents. Invitations to parents will be sent out by Ms. Hafellner.
In addition, we check whether our program is sustainable in the long term and can continue to grow, even beyond the authorization phase.
Looking back: Our candidate phase
Our journey began in March 2022 with the start of the candidate phase. These three years were characterized by intensive training, changing mindsets, the courage to learn new things and also by moments of failure and improvement.
Would you like to find out more about the International Baccalaureate?
Learn more about the vision, goals and structure of the international education program on the official website of the IB program.
Program of Inquiry
Learning in the IB program: The building blocks of transdisciplinary teaching
The IB Primary Years Program (PYP) is based on six transdisciplinary themes that form the basis for teaching:
Who we are
How we express ourselves
How we organize ourselves
Sharing the planet
How the world works
Where we are in place and time
Each subject – from mathematics, science and social studies to German, English, art, textile design, religion, music and sport – is embedded in the context of one of these topics.
Central ideas: The focus of learning
For each topic, there is a central idea that is intensively researched, understood and presented by the pupils through the various subjects. The central idea serves as a guideline that structures and deepens the learning process.
Approaches to learning: Developing important skills
How do I learn?
In addition to the central ideas, students work on their “Approaches to Learning”. These include:
- Research skills
- Thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Self-management skills
- Social skills
These skills not only promote learning, but also support the children’s personal, social and emotional development.
My key concepts
Another key component of the IB program is the Learner Profile, which promotes the qualities students need to succeed in today’s world:
- Balanced, Caring, Communicator
- Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Open-minded
- Principled, Reflective, Risk-takers
- Thinkers
These attributes form the basis for sustainable, holistic education.
The learning profile: Characteristics for success
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Program of Inquiry
Thinking in large contexts
Children also learn the six key concepts that sharpen thinking and perspective:
Shape, Perspective, Cause, Connection, Change, and Responsibility. These key concepts are complemented by “related concepts” – big ideas that are linked to the central themes and further stimulate children’s curiosity.
Inquiry-based learning
The combination of central ideas, approaches to learning, learning profiles and concepts provides the perfect foundation for inquiry-based learning. This transdisciplinary model enables our students to think for themselves, recognize connections and act successfully in a complex world.
Would you like to find out more about the PYP and the transdisciplinary learning method?
Discover the basics of the IB Primary Years Program on the official website
and find out how this method is shaping the future of learning.