International Baccalaureate (IB)

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.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Regardless of location, size, or configuration, an IB school strives to develop an internationally-minded person. At its heart, IB is motivated by a mission to create a better world through education.

 All IB Programs:

• Teach international mindedness

• Use inquiry as a pedagogical approach

• Emphasize language learning

• Provide opportunities for actions and becoming responsible community members

• Emphasize collaboration for both students and teachers

• Value teaching students how to learn by explicitly teaching Approaches To Learning (ATL): thinking skills, social skills, self-management skills, research skills, communication skills

Please view our language policy and assessment policy for more information about teaching and learning at Seven Peaks School, as well as our Access and Inclusion Policy. 

IB Access and Inclusion Policy

Language Policy

Assessment Policy

Academic Honesty Policy

Inquiry-based learning is the heart and soul of the IB program and teaching and learning at Seven Peaks School. Inquiry-based learning emphasizes teaching methods that incorporate students’ individual knowledge and interests. It gives each student a seat at the table to construct their own meaning that is relevant to themselves. Teachers in an inquiry-based classroom are seen as facilitators of experiences rather than the ‘sage on the stage.’ When this is implemented effectively, learning outcomes become accessible to all students in a differentiated and individualized way.  The diversity of learners within an inquiry-based classroom creates an environment where students can develop all of the skills and learner profile traits that IB strives to cultivate in all students. 

Inquiry-Based Learning: 

• Centers on learners interests and background knowledge 

• Engages students with relevant, challenging, and authentic experiences

• Promotes student agency and action

• Supports relationship building with peers, teachers and others in the community 

• Develops skills that teach students how to learn

“When students feel safe and supported, they are truly ready and able to learn”

Laura Weaver & Mark Wilding

At Seven Peaks School, we value the social and emotional wellbeing of our students and staff. As an International Baccalaureate school the themes and character traits fundamental to the  IB Learner Profile are woven throughout our curriculum and embedded in our school culture.  This dynamic  framework encourages and supports students to engage in emotional learning;  identifying emotions, friendship skills, building empathy and self-awareness, emotion regulation, conflict resolution and mindfulness.

The counseling program at Seven Peaks School is designed to provide academic, social and emotional support for students, parents, and staff.  Learn more about our approach to SEL on our Counseling page.

Approaches to learning skills

The IB approaches to learning skills (ATL) are grounded in the belief that learning how to learn is fundamental to a student’s life in and out of a school context. In broad terms, IB programmes support learners in developing:

• Thinking skills
• Communication skills
• Research skills
• Self-management skills
• Social skills

The approaches to learning and associated sub-skills support students of all ages in being agentic and self-regulated learners. Through a variety of strategies, PYP teachers collaboratively plan for implicit and explicit opportunities to develop ATL both inside and outside the programme of inquiry.

Read more about ATLs on the Int'l Baccalaureate webpage.