North Woods International School in La Crosse is a candidate for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program and pursuing authorization as an IB World School starting with the 2018-19 school year. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision.
North Woods already offers a strong academic curriculum that integrates global education into daily lessons. The school currently provides two strands: a global strand, integrating traditions, customs, and cultures from around the world; and a Spanish partial immersion strand offering 45% of the school day in Spanish instruction. The IB will unite both strands, bringing together the most successful elements of each, while positioning the school as a unique education option within western Wisconsin.
“This is an exciting opportunity to continue building unity in our school,” said North Woods principal Sandy Brauer. “The IB curriculum develops the whole child academically, socially, emotionally, and develops a curiosity and understanding of the world around them, which is what we want for all of our students.”
The IB Primary Years Program consists of six themes: Who we are; Where we are in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organize ourselves; and Sharing the planet. As students work through the themes each year, they will learn to speak different languages, be exposed to different cultures, and grow in their understanding about their common humanity and shared guardianship of the world. This will offer students an advantage in an increasingly global and multicultural society, and will help them become responsible, productive, and compassionate global citizens.
North Woods staff will begin IB training this June. The school will transition into the program this fall by incorporating the language and IB themes, with a goal of becoming fully accredited within three years. All kindergarten and first-grade students will receive Spanish language instruction as a part of the curriculum, created using Wisconsin Academic Standards. The remaining grades will continue as global and Spanish immersion strands, transitioning to all students receiving Spanish instruction over the next several school years.
First-year costs of the program have been partially funded by grants from the La Crosse Public Education Foundation and the La Crosse Community Foundation.
Learn more about the International Baccalaureate program at www.ibo.org.
