What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is a globally recognized leader in the field of international education. IB programmes encourage students, ages 3 to 19 years, to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. Founded in 1968, IB programmes are offered by more than 3,000 schools in 139 countries to approximately 845,000 students. Today, the community stakeholders are committed to establishing the IB Middle Year Programme (MYP) at our school. Our school is focused on ensuring that all students reach an ever-increasing standard of academic excellence despite the soci-oeconomic, interpersonal, and familial challenges that many community students (and their families) face. The surrounding communities have demonstrated unprecedented support for King Middle School and Maynard Jackson High School. We believe the IB MYP will help in closing achievement gaps within our school community.

What will be different at King MS?

Your child will engage in rigorous inquiry lessons that teach them how to think and solve problems. Your child will learn how to use the IB rubrics (grading descriptors) and begin to study Mandarin Chinese, Spanish or receive additional Language and Literature and Mathematical support.  In 6th - 8th grade, students will participate in service projects. 

Will my child have to apply to be part of the program?

No, if your child attends King MS or Jackson HS (9th or 10th grade), your child will automatically be enrolled in the MYP. All of our students are part of the program.

How does the MYP work?

As teachers, the first thing we do is organize your child's sequence of lessons based on the Georgia D.O.E standards.   Our teachers have designed concept-based units to deliver instruction at the various levels of all learners.  

So is IB a set of classes that my child will take?

No, the MYP is a philosophy, or approach to the organization of curriculum and guiding concepts.  We hope that the IB experience will help equip students with academic and soft skills required to be ready for college, career and life. 

What else do I need to know about the MYP?

We often talk about the "learner profile." This refers to a list of the characteristics that help teachers and families understand a student's strengths, interests, and learning needs. It also helps students become more aware of themselves as learners.  

The qualities include being principled, open-minded, caring, balanced, inquiring, and knowledgeable. We try to encourage kids to be thinkers, communicators and risk-takers. We want to set them up to be lifelong learners.

My child is not in the gifted program. Will the MYP be too hard?

In MYP we stress academic rigor. We know that all students live up to set expectations, so we expect a lot. Teachers will continue to differentiate their instruction so that every child can succeed. We never want to leave a child behind.

How can I support my child (or children) in the MYP?

Your interest in school work is always a great motivator for your child's success. Continue to help them to grow academically and socially. Encourage academic honesty. Googling a subject, cutting, pasting or  utilizing AI without citing text does not allow scholars to master writing.  Discuss current events with your scholars. Talk about our environment, local and international affairs, international understanding, and cultural awareness, as you continue to build your child’s knowledge and pride in our home culture. Listen to how your children are changing as thinkers. The middle years are very exciting. Don't ask, "How was school?" Ask questions that start with "Tell me about...", "Suppose you could...", "Can you elaborate on...?", or perhaps "What do you think about....?" Show interest in your child’s higher level thinking skills. Your kids will step up to new realms when we, as educators, and you as parents, value their intellectual capacity and sense of personal integrity.