International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Parent Information Night November 19, 2015

What is the International Baccalaureate Programme? The IB is a not-for-profit foundation, motivated by its educational mission, focused on the student. The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. The IB Programme is not a gifted program. It is a philosophy of teaching that aims to help students connect with the world.

What is the MIDDLE YEARS Programme? The MYP is: for students aged 11 to 16 a framework of academic challenge 8 subject groups, plus personal project in the final year taught in any language The MYP encourages students to: understand the connections between subjects through interdisciplinary learning understand the connections between subjects and the real world become critical and reflective thinkers The Middle Years Programme begins at Talley Middle School and continues at Mount Pleasant High School

The Philosophy

What is an “IBMYP” student? IB learners strive to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective If your child shows the characteristics of this profile, this program would be a good fit for him/her!

What are teachers looking for in an IB student at Talley? Creativity Respectfulness Initiative Acceptance Motivation Thoughtfulness Tenacity

What will my child experience if accepted into this program? In addition to the core classes of Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies, students in the IBMYP program at Talley are required to participate in the following scheduled classes:

What is the application process? The Student Application is available on our website now! Visit the Talley website at and find the application in the “International Baccalaureate” section. Steps: Download and print the application Give your child’s teachers the recommendations attached to the application. These should be sent to Talley directly from the teacher Fill out the student profile sheet and criteria document Arrange for your child to visit Talley for the Interview and the Writing and Math Assessments. This can be done while your child shadows, if you choose to have your child participate in shadowing.

When will the decision be made? All completed applications are due by March 4, 2016 Applications submitted after March 4th are not guaranteed to be reviewed. Applications submitted by March 4 th will be evaluated using our IB database and decisions will be made shortly thereafter. Families will be contacted via post mail. Families will either be invited to attend, informed of a placement on the waiting list, or informed that the child will not be offered a spot in the program.

Deadlines and Important Dates January 11, 2016Shadowing and Assessments begin March 4, 2016Applications due April 18-22, 2016Candidate Notification May 12, 2016IB Open House for Admitted Students

One Additional Option… The “Gateway to IB” Programme There are many students who show a lot of potential but could benefit from some time and experience at the Middle School level. The Gateway Programme allows students to spend one year learning from our IB teachers. These students are exempt from our mandatory community service hours. We will evaluate their performance at the end of the 6 th grade year to determine their placement for 7 th grade and where we believe they will find the most success.

The Decision of the Family Once invited into the program, families can either accept or decline the invitation. If accepted, your child will receive the summer 2016 work at the end of this school year via USPS and attend an IB “Meet the Teachers” night in June. If you need to choice your child into Talley for the IB Programme, there is a separate “Choice” form that you will receive.

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