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IB: JK-12

Primary Years Programme: JK–6

Primary Years Programme: JK–6

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a framework designed to foster holistic development and nurture a lifelong love of learning. From Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6, the PYP challenges students to think critically, research deeply and develop globally-minded perspectives on a broad range of issues. Students experience learning that is engaging, significant, challenging and relevant as it spans between, across and beyond traditional subject boundaries. 
 
The PYP curriculum framework is developed and revised based on the latest research related to brain development and how children learn.


Five essential PYP elements:

  • Approaches to learning
  • Key concepts
  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Action
  • Agency
Our PYP pedagogy is embedded in best practices for teaching young children, following an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary, holistic approach to learning.

Guided by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, students broaden their learning by developing their conceptual understandings, strengthening their knowledge and skills across, between and beyond subject areas. Students learn through inquiry-based instruction within a variety of subject disciplines, including English and French, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music and Physical Education. All students learn to innovate and use technology through hands-on experiences. 

Six internationally set themes:

  • Who we are
  • Where we are in place and time
  • How we express ourselves
  • How the world works
  • How we organize ourselves
  • Sharing the planet
The Junior School sparks a joy and interest in learning that will stay with a student for life. Caring teachers stimulate natural curiosity. Small classes allow for the personal attention that helps a young girl thrive and develop her self-esteem.

Students follow a curriculum that provides a solid grounding in basic skills and promotes good study habits. From the earliest age, girls learn to express themselves as competent communicators and to develop self-reliance.

The PYP is all about teaching young students how to learn. That way they’re prepared for more sophisticated studies in the years ahead.

PYP Coordinators

List of 2 items.

  • Assistant Head and PYP Coordinator

    Lara Down
    416-920-6265, ext. 381
  • Assistant Head and PYP Coordinator

    Andrea Mills
    416-920-6265, ext. 170
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.*

*The Land Acknowledgement may evolve as we honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities.

Setting the new standard for girls' education everywhere takes collective action. From all of us.
 
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