Education

International Baccalaureate®

The International School of Bergamo is an authorised IB World School for the Primary and Middle Years Programme®
IB Schools share a common philosophy, a dedication to high quality, challenging, international education that this school believes is important for our students.
In September 2019, the school will open the first year of High School with a commitment to becoming an IB Continuum School.

Early Years

The Early Years includes a Pre-K for children from 24 months which follows the EYFS programme and a Kindergarten and Transition class based on the IB® PYP for three-year-olds and four-year-olds.
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Elementary School

The Elementary school, which starts at five years of age with the first class (Grade 1) and ends with the sixth class (Grade 6) follows the IB® Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum.
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Middle School

The Middle school, which starts at eleven years of age with Grade 7 follows the International Baccalaureate® Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum.

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High School

The High school, which starts at fourteen years of age with Grade 10 follows the IB® Middle Years Programme (MYP) with a commitment to offering the Diploma Programme (DP) for the last 2 years.
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The International Baccalaureate ® offers a continuum of education, consisting of 3 programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) for students aged 3 to 18.
The IB learner profile is at the heart of this common framework as a clear and concise statement of the aims and values of the IB and an embodiment of what the IB means by "international-mindedness"

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IB® curriculum
The IB Primary Years Programme® (PYP) is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside.


It is defined by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning.
The Middle Years curriculum will be based on the IB® MYP, a framework for learning, designed for students aged 11 to 16 which promotes learning through inquiry and conceptual investigation.
The MYP encourages students to pursue excellence in all their endeavours while promoting international mindedness. As independent learners, MYP students’ are expected to apply relevant knowledge and critically evaluate information in order to understand an ever-changing world
As part of our long-term commitment to the educational goals of our students, in the coming years, ISBergamo is set-off to offer a high school curriculum inspired to the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme.

The Diploma Programme® for students aged 16 to 18 is a demanding two-year curriculum that meets the needs of highly motivated students, and leads to a qualification that is recognized by leading universities around the world.
International School of Bergamo is an authorized IB World School for the Primary and Middle Years Programmes.

For over 40 years, IB programmes have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalised 21st century, and for helping to develop the citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. Founded in 1968, currently there are over 1 million IB students at 4,162 schools in 144 countries across the world.
What is the Primary Years Programme?
Curriculum Framework
In the Primary Years Programme, teaching is not confined to the single subjects in isolation. Students engage in units of inquiry, which require the development of knowledge and skills across a number of subject areas.
IB® Learner Profile
The aim of all IB® Programmes is to develop internationally minded people and the IB learner profile is at the core of the entire curriculum and is reflected in the school mission statement and core values.
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Transdisciplinary Themes
Transdisciplinary themes provide the framework for the units of inquiry studied in each class. Students explore these themes:
  • 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.
Programme of Inquiry
The transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a programme of inquiry –investigations into important ideas, identified by the schools, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the students.
Students who learn in this way begin to reflect on their roles and responsibilities as learners and become actively involved with their education.
The Subject Areas
The PYP offers a balance between learning about and through subject areas, and learning beyond them.
There are six subject areas in the PYP—
  • arts;
  • language;
  • mathematics;
  • social studies;
  • science;
  • physical, social and personal education
These subject areas provide students with knowledge, skills, and concepts which students can explore to understand the interconnected nature of the subject areas and the transdisciplinary themes.
Transdisciplinary Skills
As well as learning specific subjects, there are many skills that a student should develop that are not limited to one subject. These skills are not taught in isolation, but are developed throughout the program me.
These skills are:
  • Thinking skills
  • Self-management skills
  • Research skills
  • Social skills
  • Communication skills
Concepts
The Primary Years Programme is a concept-driven curriculum. Key Concepts are central to the curriculum and are presented in the form of questions. These questions support student’s engagement in structured and purposeful inquiry, within the transdisciplinary programme and subject specific inquiries.
A set of eight concepts have been identified:
FormWhat is it like?
Function How does it work?
Causation Why is it like it is?
Change How is it changing?
ConnectionHow is it connected to other things?
PerspectiveWhat are the points of view?
ResponsibilityWhat is our responsibility?
ReflectionHow do we know?
Special Educational Needs
The International School of Bergamo is committed to include and support all children with a variety of needs and ability. The school and its staff prides itself on delivering an education that aims to maximise the potential of all children. A Learning Support Coordinator, as well as a team of external consultants, ensure that the Learning Support Policy in implemented throughout the whole school.
The Learning Environment

Teaching strategies and student learning

The taught curriculum reinforces the pedagogy of authentic learning that is inquiry-based and conceptually driven. The programme is committed to structured, purposeful inquiry that engages students actively in their own learning. In the PYP it is believed that this is the way in which students learn best. In this way, teachers can support them in constructing meaning.

The learning environment also plays an essential role for inquiry-based learning. Classroom space is stimulating and well organized. Displays demonstrate individual achievement and support engagement in the learning process.

Teaching and learning strategies focus on:
  • Inquiry-based learning
  • Child-centered learning
  • Stimulating learning environment
  • Student initiated action
  • Development of specific attitudes
  • Comprehensive assessment
  • Positive reinforcement of student achievement.
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