Oswalt Academy and Ybarra Academy of Arts and Technology Official Candidate Schools for IB Primary Years Programme

OSWALT AND YBARRA ACADEMIES IN ROWLAND UNIFIED OFFICIAL CANDIDATE SCHOOLS

FOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME

WALNUT – DECEMBER 8, 2009 – Oswalt Academy and Ybarra Academy of Arts and Technology, both K-8 schools in the Rowland Unified School District, have received official notice that they are candidate schools for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, an international curriculum designed for students aged 3 to 12.

            “This result has been due to the past three years of tireless efforts by our teachers who have truly embraced this new inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning,” said Oswalt Principal Astrid Ramirez. “Our teachers are excited by the shifts they have seen in learning with students that are highly engaged, more aware of their world and active learners using investigative skills. We are proud of these teachers’ efforts in making us one step closer to becoming official PYP schools,” said Ybarra Principal Annette Ramirez.

            There are currently only 14 authorized PYP schools in California, 178 in the nation and 587 globally. Schools applying to offer the PYP program must begin implementing six transdisciplinary themes of global significance that allows students to “step up” beyond the confines of learning within subjects areas. Before being granted IB World School status, a delegation appointed by IB will schedule a school visit to Oswalt and Ybarra Academies in the Spring and report on the their progress and capacity to deliver the programme. Final application paperwork must then be submitted before they can be authorized.

            For further information about the IB Primary Years Programme, visit www.ibo.org/pyp.

            Stanley G. Oswalt Academy is located at 19501 Shadow Oak Drive in Walnut. Principal Astrid Ramirez can be reached at (626) 810-4109.

            Ybarra Academy of the Arts and Technology is located at 1300 Brea Canyon Cut-Off Road, Walnut. Principal Annette Ramirez can be reached at (909) 598-3744.

The Rowland Unified School District is proud to serve 16,500 students at 23 elementary and secondary schools in the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente, City of Industry, and West Covina. More than 5,000 adults (16+) are also served by the Rowland Adult and Community Education School. For more information about Rowland Unified, call (626) 965-2541 or visit www.RowlandSchools.org. 

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