Parent/Student Information Meeting Mt. Mourne School Authorized 2011

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 What is the International Baccalaureate Organization? IBO is a not-for-profit foundation whose mission is aimed at creating a better world through education. The organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging education programs with rigorous assessment components. Its programs encourage students across the world to become life long learners.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 IB Statistics Size: The IBO works with 3,313 schools in 141 countries and serves over 983,000 students. North Carolina: There are 55 IB schools. The closest to ISS are JM Alexander, North Mecklenburg High IB, and Hickory High IB Schools. Programs: The IB curriculum offers three programs for students aged 3 to 19: 1.Primary Years Program 2.Middle Years Program 3.Diploma Program

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 The IB program in Iredell County Northview 6-8 MYP Mt. Mourne 6-8 MYP South Iredell High MYP & DP 9-12

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Why is ISS providing the International Baccalaureate course of study for our students? 1.The Iredell-Statesville School District encourages all students to take the most rigorous course of study possible. --Research shows that students who succeed in IB programs tend to do better on university level work than other groups of students. --IB students earn higher average SAT scores in high school and maintain higher grade point averages at universities than non-IB students.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Why is ISS providing the International Baccalaureate course of study for our students? 2.University admissions officials are looking for three main things: Students who took the most challenging high school courses possible Students who are well-rounded Students who demonstrate the likelihood that they will be successful post-secondary students

What makes IB Curriculum Different?

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum IB Fundamental Concepts Holistic Communication International Mindedness

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum Areas of Interaction -The lens through which we view the content- The five areas of interaction in the Middle Years Program are: Community Service, a component that requires students to take an active part in the communities where they live; Products of Human Creativity, another common entity of the program that promotes student exploration of the processes and products of human creativity, ultimately enabling them to lead fuller and more productive lives; Environment, a component aimed at promoting students awareness of their interdependence with the environment and the acceptance of their responsibilities for it; Health and Social Education, dealing with physical, social and emotional health and intelligence, leading to complete and healthy lives; Approaches to Learning, with emphasis on students being responsible for their own learning, thereby developing an awareness of how they learn best.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum Student Learner Profile - the attributes we want to instill in every IB student - Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum Foreign Language 6 th Grade – French 1A or Spanish 1A 7 th Grade – French 1B or Spanish 1B 8 th Grade – French 2 or Spanish 2 9 th Grade – French 3 or Spanish 3 10 th Grade – French 4 or Spanish 4 Student will be fluent in Language B by the end of 12 th grade

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum International Mindedness Integrated into units through MYP Unit Planner Focus of Global Conversations Imbedded into everything we do

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum Interdisciplinary Approach There is a focus on Interdisciplinary Units between multiple (2 or more) disciplines Synergize the learning One assessment for multiple subjects Helps students see interconnectedness of the subjects

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Middle Years Program Curriculum Academic Rigor A/B schedule – only 90 days per subject vs Subjects are considered core Projects & Presentations Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Students must take Algebra 1 in 8 th grade Students will take all 4 sciences in 9 th & 10 th grade Summer Reading requirements Summer Math requirements

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Community and Service IB Learners turn their learning into Action. Required Hours: 6 th Grade/Level hours 7 th Grade/Level hours 8 th Grade/Level hours 9 th Grade/Level hours 10 th Grade/Level hours Community Service Is…. Is Not… Mowing an elderly neighbors yard Selling raffle tickets to neighbors Serving homeless children Babysitting a sibling Turning learning into action Something you would have done even if you werent an IB student

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Why it works treats learning as a process, not a product based on the notion that Middle Years are not a three- year proposition demands teachers design student-centered approaches to individuals through various lenses and methods students become makers of meaning and problem- solvers focuses on 21 st -century skill acquisition, real-life experiences and deep understanding over rote esteems critical thinking (Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation) pushes beyond perceived comfort zones

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Benefits of MYP (grades 6-10) International-Mindedness and The Paradigm Shift from learning content to using content to grow: Learner Profile Traits that the entire IB community nurtures in students as they become Approaches to Learning teachers use to enhance student variety of use of and ability in Balanced Open-Minded Collaboration Caring Principled Communication Communicators Reflective Information Literacy Inquirers Risk-takers Organization Knowledgeable Thinkers Reflection Thinking Transfer

IB and Athletics

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Scholar Athletes & IB Scholar athletes are encouraged to be in the IB program Students will play for their home school based on attendance zone Bussing is available to BMS and LMS IB students will not be penalized for not being at the home school

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 What will our students need in order to succeed? The number one indicator of your childs success at Mt. Mourne is MOTIVATION. (Learning for the sake of learning) Students should have a strong foundation in reading and writing skills as well as strong study habits early in their schooling. Students should have a strong foundation in mathematics. At Mt. Mourne, the math program moves at a quick pace. Students should be able to demonstrate a high level of classroom success. Being a student at Mt. Mourne requires a family commitment to academic success.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions 1.What grade levels will be included in the IB Candidate Schools? Grades 6 – 10 (grades 6-8 at Mt. Mourne and grades 9-10 at South Iredell High School) 2.Is there a cost to parents? No. Application to the IB program is open to any student living in the Iredell-Statesville School District. 3.What are the entrance criteria? Entrance criteria will include, but are not limited to, a recommendation from the previous years teacher(s), previous years EOG scores and report card and a statement from the students regarding motivation, expectations and commitment to achievement of a rigorous curriculum. 4.How will students be assessed? Teachers organize continuous assessment over the course of the program taking account of specified criteria that correspond to the objectives for each subject. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study will continue to be used as the basis for instruction. There is also an emphasis upon self-assessment and peer- assessment within the program.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (continued) 5.Do IB teachers receive specialized training? Yes. Very specific training based upon IB principles and processes is provided for the IB staff. Plans are in place for teachers selected to teach in the ISS Program to receive training during this school year and the summer of Will bus transportation be provided? Yes. Students will be transported to theirtraditional school and then shuttled to the IB school. 7.Will students be allowed to participate in athletics and other extra curricular activities? Yes. Students may participate in sports and extra curricular activities at the school located in the district in which they reside (their traditional school). As grades are added in subsequent years, more extra-curricular opportunities will be available at the IB schools. 8. How do I apply?. The application process and necessary forms can be found on the Mt. Mourne website. Hardcopies are available tonight. Applications will also be available at ISS elementary and middle school offices. The deadline for submitting applications is February 24.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions 9.When will parents be notified whether or not their child has been accepted into the IB school? Written notification will be provided by March If my student attends the IB school and is not happy, will he/she be allowed to return to the traditional school? Yes. We want all students to be successful. If a student can be more successful in the traditional setting, they will be allowed to transfer at the end of the term. ___________________________________________________________ Links to additional International Baccalaureate information: Middle Years Program at a Glance IB Information for Parentwww.ibo.org/parents Iredell-Statesville Schools Choice Mt. Mourne School Northview School