The Methow Valley School District has scheduled a second meeting for interested families and community members in mid-March to provide more information about the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which the district is exploring for kindergarten through 10th grade.
The IB program blends the teaching of reading, writing and math skills with an interdisciplinary approach to subjects such as science, history and art. It also encourages students to ask questions, which are then incorporated into the lessons. Foreign language instruction would start in kindergarten.
After a meeting last week, the district decided to apply to be an IB candidate school, the start of a two- to three-year process where teachers incorporate IB principles into their classes and the staff and families evaluate the program and its results on student learning. When the district believes it is ready, it can request formal approval as an IB school, or can decide not to pursue authorization.
The district plans a series of meetings to provide information about the program and to answer questions.
At the next meeting, district administrators will describe their research into the IB program, explain the IB philosophy and how it is applied in individual schools and classes, and outline how the district will approach any financial obligations connected with the program.
The meeting is Wednesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Methow Valley Elementary School.
