Parent/Student Information Meeting

2. Parent/Student Information Meeting Northview SchoolAuthorized 2011

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

4. 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: • Primary Years Program • Middle Years Program • Diploma Program

5. Northview 6-8 MYP South Iredell High MYP & DP 9-12 Mt. Mourne 6-8 MYP The IB program in Iredell County

6. Why is ISS providing the International Baccalaureate course of study for our students? • 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.

7. Why is ISS providing the International Baccalaureate course of study for our students? • University admissions officials are looking for three main things: • Students who took the most challenging high school courses possible • Students who are well-rounded and who demonstrate a commitment to leadership and service • Students who demonstrate the likelihood that they will be successful post-secondary students

8. How do universities view IB? • Recruitment – Universities are actively recruiting IB Graduates • Admission – IB Graduates are considered the cream of the crop and are given preferential admissions standing at most universities • Scholarships – Universities have begun to give specific scholarships to IB Graduates

9. College acceptance rates for IB students

10. IB and Athletics

11. Scholar Athletes & IB • Scholar athletes are encouraged to be in the IB program • Students will play for their home school based on attendance zone starting in 7th grade • Busing is available to home middle schools • IB students will not be ‘penalized’ for not being at the home school

12. What makes IB Curriculum Different?

13. Middle Years Program Curriculum IB Fundamental Concepts Holistic Learning Communication International Mindedness

14. 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: • Approaches to Learning • Community Service • Human Ingenuity • Environments • Health and Social Education

15. 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

16. Middle Years Program Curriculum International Mindedness • Integrated into units through MYP Unit Planner • Focus of Global Conversations • Imbedded into everything we do

17. Middle Years Program Curriculum Interdisciplinary Approach • There is a focus on Interdisciplinary Units between multiple (2 or more) disciplines • Synergize the learning • Helps students see interconnectedness of the subjects

18. Community and Service IB Learners turn their learning into Action. Required Hours: 6th Grade/Level 1- 20 hours 7th Grade/Level 2- 25 hours 8th Grade/Level 3- 30 hours 9th Grade/Level 4- 35 hours 10th Grade/Level 5- 40 hours Community Service Is…. Is Not… ~Mowing an elderly neighbor’s yard ~Mowing your own yard for chores ~Serving homeless children ~Babysitting a sibling ~Turning learning into action ~Something you would have done even if you weren’t an IB student

19. Required Classes 8 Required Subjects that must be taught year long: • Advanced Language Arts • Advanced Math • Humanities (Social Studies) • Science • PE/Health • Language B (Foreign Language either Spanish or French) • Technology (Computer and Design) • Arts Class: • Year long classes: Orchestra or Band • Semester classes at 6th grade level: Visual Arts, Drama and Chorus

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

21. What will our students need in order to succeed in an IB Program? • Because IB courses offer a high degree of challenge, students should, above all, be highly motivated learners. • Students should be open to 21st Century learning styles that take them beyond rote memorization and lower level thinking skills. • Students are required to become proficient in a second language.

22. Benefits of MYP(grades 6-10) International-Mindedness and The Paradigm Shift from learning content to using content to grow:

23. 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 21st-century skill acquisition, real-life experiences and deep understanding over rote • esteems critical thinking (Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation) • pushes beyond perceived comfort zones

24. What will our students need in order to succeed? • The number one indicator of your child’s success at Northview 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 Northview, the math program moves at a quick pace. • Students should be able to demonstrate a high level of classroom success and should maintain regular attendance. • Being a student at Northview requires a family commitment to academic success.

25. Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions • What grade levels will be included in the IB Schools? The Middle Years Program (MYP) consists of grades 6 – 10, with grades 6-8 at Northview and grades 9-10 at South Iredell High School. • Is there a cost to parents? No. Application to the IB program is open to any student living in the Iredell-Statesville School District. • What are the entrance criteria?Entrance criteria will include, but are not limited to, a recommendation from the previous year’s teacher(s), previous year’s EOG scores and report card and a statement from the students regarding motivation, expectations and commitment to achievement of a rigorous curriculum. • 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.

26. 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. Teachers attend training on a continuous, rotating basis. 6. Will bus transportation be provided? Yes. Students will be transported to their “traditional” 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). 8. How do I apply? . The application process and necessary forms can be found on the Northview website. Hardcopies are available at Northview. Applications will also be available at ISS elementary and middle school offices. The deadline for submitting applications is February 24.

27. 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 31. 10. 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 www.ibo.org/myp/index • IB Information for Parent www.ibo.org/parents • Iredell-Statesville Schools Choice www.iss.k12.nc.us/choice • Mt. Mourne School http://iss.schoolwires.com/mm • Northview School http://iss.schoolwires.com/nv

28. Question and Answer Time • Please leave additional questions on an index card, and we will post the answers on our school website. • Please drop by Northview for rising 6th grade Open House on Tuesday, January 31st from 4:00-6:00pm. Thank you for Coming!