WELCOME
To ISR Primary Programme
WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)?
Commonly referred to as the IB, the International Baccalaureate, is a comprehensive international curriculum that takes a holistic approach to education; it fosters intellectual, personal, emotional and social development. It aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people motivated to succeed.
The IB encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, unique in their differences, can also be right. The IB strives to develop students with agency: students who have a voice, a choice and ownership for their own learning.
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME (PYP)
ISR is an authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) school, authorized in April 2005. The PYP is for students between the ages of 3 to 12 years old. At ISR, even toddlers are introduced to PYP values and are prepared for the Programme.
ISR aims to meet the widely varying needs of its international student body. Our students and teachers come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences; they carry myriad beliefs and expectations to school. Our goal is to provide a programme that will not only meet the needs of this diverse group, but will create added-value from the richness of that diversity.
The student is at the center of the PYP. The traits of the model IB person are outlined by the IB Learner profile attributes:
- Caring
- Knowledgeable
- Principled
- Courageous
- Thinker
- Communicator
- Open-Minded
- Balanced
- Reflective
- Inquirers
WHAT WILL MY CHILD LEARN?
With over 15 years of experience implementing the programme, ISR has developed its own Programme of Inquiry (long-term plan for learning) and Scope & Sequence documents (learning outcomes) for all subject areas: languages (English, French, Latvian), mathematics, visual arts, science, music, physical education, and social studies.
47 nationalities make up the student body at ISR. The majority of students joining our school are non-native English speakers. The school has a well-established system in place to help students acquire English, which is the language of instruction, as soon as possible.
Inquiry-based learning is the leading pedagogical approach of the Primary Years Programme (PYP); it recognizes students as being actively involved in their own learning and as taking responsibility for that learning. Through inquiry, students not only acquire a wealth of knowledge, but also learn how to learn. ISR puts a strong emphasis on connecting learning with real-life experience through field trips, guest speakers, and supporting each other as well as the community around us. Inquiry-based teaching and learning helps students take action by using what they have learned.
PYP is a concept-based curriculum. Unlike other curricula that focus mainly on factual knowledge, the PYP focuses on ideas that are broad, abstract, timeless and universal. These concepts help to weave essential understandings across, between and beyond subjects areas and to transfer learning to new contexts.
The Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are a set of lifelong skills that everyone needs within
and beyond the classroom: research skills, communication skills, social skills, thinking skills, and self-management skills. These skills form the foundation of every student’s toolkit for lifelong learning.
THE BENEFITS OF A PYP EDUCATION
PYP students perform better – Ongoing research indicates that IBPYP students out- perform their non-IB peers. The PYP, combined with the personalized student approach at ISR, sets students up for academic success.
The PYP develops intercultural awareness – The programme strives to develop open-minded global citizens who respect cultures, who nurture the diversity found around them, and who endeavor to lead by example.
PYP students are independent thinkers – The PYP teaching style is student-centred;Students drive their own learning by collaborating to conduct inquiry into real-life issues.
The PYP is internationally transferable – With more than 1900 schools offering the PYP in over 150 countries worldwide, students can easily transfer from one PYP school to another.
THE ISR DIFFERENCE
Whether their stay is short lived or long lasting, all members of the ISR family call Latvia “home”. ISR is an International School with a Latvian Heart. Families who are part of our community experience and celebrate Latvia as a unique country with a rich heritage. When families embark on the next phase of their life journey, they take a little piece of Latvia with them.
ISR prides itself on having strong roots into the local community through charity work and sharing both educational knowledge and resources with local schools.
ISR has a highly skilled Primary Division headed by Ms. Amanda Romey, the School Principal/Deputy Director. She is supported by Ms. Ginta Karklina, the PYP Coordinator. Together they combine 47 years of experience. Student learning is guided by a Homeroom Advisor, a Support teacher, and a variety of Specialist teachers.
ISR is one of the longest established international schools in Latvia. ISR was founded as a playgroup and the playgroup developed into a school. The PYP was chosen as a programme to implement because it develops the whole person. Through carefully following each child’s growth and learning, we foster individual success both in academic development and social-emotional wellbeing. Teachers aim to differentiate and personalize learning as much as possible to help each student reach their potential.
The adage is that “it takes a village to raise a child.” At ISR, every adult is considered a teacher. Students can learn from everyone, from the custodial staff to the Director.
Interested?
Book an introductory session with our Admissions department:
admissions@isriga.lv
+371 2511 9337
