IB Program

Short Avenue Mission: Short Avenue Elementary School's mission calls upon all of its community, in working together, to enrich our students through innovative, concept-driven, student-centered learning.  Through this process of inquiry, reflection, collaboration, and critical thinking, all students will confidently exhibit 21st Century skills that will effectively prepare them for a world of diverse, global opportunities. In addition, Short Avenue students will understand how their education provides them with, not just the knowledge and skills, but also the integrity to become productive, disciplined, and responsible citizens of the world.

Short Avenue Vision: Short Avenue Elementary strives to inspire and develop creative and critical thinkers who engage in inquiry, collaboration and  reflective action to solve problems and positively shape the future. 

The IB Mission Statement: 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.

The IB program is an inquiry-based approach to instruction, with a strong focus on student agency and international mindedness. We view students as partners in our learning, with their interests and curiosities at the forefront of our decision making. The vision of the IB program is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who have the integrity to become successful, disciplined, responsible citizens in the world. Our thoughtful curriculum takes on a transdisciplinary approach to learning. Teachers work together with their students to make connections across and between disciplines, rather than teaching subjects in isolation. We encourage children to ask questions and reflect on their leaning. The curriculum, or Program of Inquiry, is standards-based and aligned to both State and District standards, as well as the IB standards practices. Students learning is centered around specific themes such as "Who We Are", "How We Organize Ourselves", "Where We Are in Place and Time", "How the World Works", and "Sharing the Planet". The learning is purposeful and meaningful, in hopes that it will inspire students to take action and create a better and more peaceful world.