The IB Primary Years Program at ICS
The IB Primary Years Program at ICS
At ICS, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) is not just a curriculum. It is the model that guides how we teach, learn, and grow together. The PYP shapes every aspect of our approach—from the design of learning experiences to the way we build community and nurture curiosity in our students.
Through the PYP, we focus on developing the whole child: socially, emotionally, and academically. Students build deep understanding, apply their learning in meaningful ways, and develop agency as learners.
The IB at ICS
Our Implementation
ICS is an authorized IB World School offering the PYP from PreK through Grade 5. Every student engages with a program built on inquiry, reflection, and action. Our classrooms emphasize:
Transdisciplinary Learning – Students explore big ideas across subjects, making learning relevant.
Student-Centered Inquiry – Teachers design experiences around meaningful questions, fostering curiosity.
Concept-Based Instruction – Students develop transferable understanding that supports critical thinking.
Action-Oriented Learning – Students take meaningful action based on their learning.
The Learner Profile – We cultivate ten attributes (caring, principled, reflective, open-minded, etc.) to help students grow as thoughtful, compassionate members of their communities.
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Why IB?
At ICS, education is more than academic preparation.
The PYP helps students grow into curious, compassionate, and capable people who are ready to engage with a complex world.
The PYP provides a consistent, research-based framework for teaching and learning that supports both academic excellence and personal growth. Students explore big ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and develop the skills they need to think critically, collaborate, and lead with integrity.
Choosing the IB means choosing a model that values the whole child and prepares students to thrive as lifelong learners.
The IB Learner Profile Traits
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
- Inquirers
- Knowledgable
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Principled
- Open-minded
- Caring
- Risk-takers
- Balanced
- Reflective
The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like
them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.
We Are:
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives— intellectual, physical, and emotional —to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Learn more about the IB
From the International Baccalaureate Organization
Why the IB video
IB Policies
As an IB World School, ICS maintains policies that guide and support our implementation of the Primary Years Program:
Language Policy
Assessment Policy
Academic Integrity Policy
Inclusion Policy
Admissions Policy
These policies will be accessible to ICS families and staff in the IB Parent Hub.
Parent Support & Contact
For many families, the IB may be new. We’re here to help.
In our Parent Support section, you’ll find:
Family-friendly definitions of IB terms and practices
Introductory videos and visuals from the IB
Frequently asked questions
Links to resources and ways to get involved