WAB is committed to providing an international education, and
follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP)
in the Elementary School (students in the Early Childhood Center
follow a combination of Reggio Emilia and the IBPYP), the International
Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) Grades 6-10 and the International
Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) for Grade 11 and 12.
These provide students with broad academic programs that emphasize
the inter-relatedness between subjects. The programs focus on the
academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural development needs
of children and have at their heart a commitment to structured inquiry
as a vehicle to learning. They aim to develop sensitivity to the
experience of others and the expectation of socially responsible
action as a result of learning experiences.
The curriculum is based on the premise that the individual student
is at the center of all teaching and learning. It has been developed
to incorporate an international perspective, which reflects developments
in curriculum research from a range of different national and international
sources.
The curriculum explores Trans-disciplinary Themes, which have been
selected on the basis of their relevance and importance within a
body of knowledge that has local and global significance. It also
develops Trans-disciplinary Skills, such as the ability to conduct
research, communicate effectively, function successfully in different
social contexts, manage one's health and life and think critically
and relatively. It also fosters positive attitudes such as respect,
tolerance and responsibility and provides opportunities for meaningful
action and social service.
WAB's educational program aims to develop international students
who are:
• Inquirers
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Intellectual risk takers
• Knowledgeable
• Principled
• Caring
• Open-minded
• Well-balanced
• Reflective
The WAB curriculum gives students the opportunity to acquire knowledge
of Chinese language and culture. It also reflects the multicultural
nature of the school, and encourages students to understand and
respect the different cultures, which make up the school.
The curriculum builds on the close relationship between learning
and assessment, and provides clear learning outcomes against which
students' progress can be measured. The primary purpose of school
based assessment is to improve students' learning and the quality
of learning programs. It also provides feedback to parents and students
and monitoring of overall educational standards. Assessment also
identifies learning needs so that resources can be effectively targeted.
A range of assessment strategies are used, including norm-based,
criterion-based, peer assessment and work required assessment.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB was registered as a foundation in 1968. It grew out of
international schools' efforts as early as 1924 to establish
a common curriculum and university entry credential for geographically
mobile students. It offers to schools three programs: the Primary
Years Program for students aged 3 to 12; the Middle Years Program
for students aged 11 to 16, and the Diploma Program for students
in their final two years of secondary school. For more information
about the organization and its programs visit: www.IB.org
