Sunnybrook School was the first authorized school in Ontario to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at the Primary Years Program (PYP) level. Sunnybrook has been providing the IB curriculum since 1997 and is proud to have 4 IB workshop leaders on staff.
As of 2022, the IB PYP enhancements will be embedded into the existing program focusing more on student agency and assessing the process of learning. Agency allows our students to have a voice, ownership of their own learning, and the opportunity to take action as a result of that learning. Our job is to facilitate opportunities in their learning to enable more active participation. Assessment in the PYP ensures different learning styles are recognised and rewarded. Assessment is a valuable source of information for teachers to observe and understand each student individually, so they can personalise their approach to cater to unique learning needs.
The IB Learner Profile
Our students learn how to be good citizens of the school in many ways. The IB Learner Profile gives us a common vocabulary for teaching the values and behaviors that contribute to a strong community where everyone takes responsibility and feels valued. These are the dispositions of the IB Learner Profile:
Inquirer
We nurture 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 our life.
Thinkers
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators
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.
Risk-takers
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.
Knowledgeable
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.
Principled
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.
Caring
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.
Open-minded
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.
Balanced
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.
Reflective
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.
