Huffman Elementary Becomes an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program

Joe T. Huffman Elementary opened its doors in August 2019 as the IB World School at Huffman Elementary. Providing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. In order to become an official IB World School, Huffman was required to spend two years putting specific academic requirements in place. In April 2019, IB representatives came to Huffman for an authorization visit. They looked through Huffman's curriculum, observed classes and interviewed students, staff and parents over the course of two days.

Huffman received this official word on June 5, 2019, bringing to fruition the hard work and dedication of students, staff and the Huffman community. With authorization now approved, the school is officially the IB World School at Huffman Elementary. Huffman is the only elementary school in Plano ISD participating in the program. Plano East Senior High has had an IB World School for 9th-12th-grade students since the late '90s.

IB is an international education program that focuses on the whole child, develops effective approaches to teaching and learning, works to increase an understanding of languages and culture, and explores globally significant ideas and issues. IB scholars strive to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. These Learner Profile attributes are at the very core of daily learning, so students can become knowledgeable, responsible members of their own community and beyond.

The PYP is designed for students aged 3-12. it focuses on inquiry as a vehicle for learning. The PYP is guided by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance all while being grounded in the state standards. These six themes provide teachers with an opportunity to design a curriculum that incorporates issues on a local and global level and creates experiences that go beyond the scope of learning within subject areas.

The Six Transdisciplinary 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

These six themes provide teachers with an opportunity to design curriculum that  incorporates issues on a local and global level and creates experiences that go beyond the scope of learning within subject areas.

To learn more about IB PYP, visit the IBO website.