Sara Collins Elementary IB World School PTA

Sara Collins Elementary School is an urban school located in Greenville, South Carolina. With its school motto, "Our students are our world," it provides quality education to students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. It also houses the district's "Satellite" program for physically challenged, visually impaired, and hearing impaired students. Sara Collins Elementary, staff, and parents have been recognized for their achievements and accomplishments on local, state, and national levels.

Sara Collins Elementary became the first public fully authorized International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) School in Greenville County in February, 2004. The application and implementation of the program is a process that focuses on the best teaching and learning practices from around the world.

The purpose of the IB Curriculum is to help students meet international expectations of a learner. Students are taught to reflect and assess their role as learners using profile traits such as Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Risk-takers, Knowledgeable, Principled, Caring, Open-minded, Well-balanced, and Reflective. These profile traits make up the PYP Student Profile. Self-assessment of these traits are a part of the student’s portfolio. These qualities are considered in parent, teacher, and interview recommendations that students must use when they apply for the IB program at Sara Collins.

The basic curriculum framework of IBPYP is developed around attitudes, concepts, knowledge, skills, and action. Daily lessons and Units of Inquiry incorporate as many of each of the attitudes, concepts, knowledge, and skills as possible.

The skills taught in IBPYP are transdiciplinary. That is, they are skills needed in and across all disciplines. They are in fact the “Learning to Learn” skills necessary for life-long and international learning. Teachers at Sara Collins Elementary include these skills in their lesson plans and classroom activities.

At Sara Collins Elementary School we share a common vision for all students. Our goal as members of this learning community is to ensure that:

Students will be educated in a safe, nurturing, environment,

Students will be challenged to reach their full, academic potential,

Students, staff, and parents will work together to create a climate of high expectations in both academic and social areas,

Students will be recognized for their unique abilities and learning styles,

Students will use technology to compete in a global society,

Students will maximize academic success by the use of good study and organizational skills,

Students will communicate in a foreign language,

Students will participate in extra curricular enrichment activities.