The International Baccalaureate (IB) began in 1968 to provide a rigorous international education program and now has 4 programs serving students ages 3 to 19 in over 4,000 schools worldwide. The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring students who help create a better world through intercultural understanding. The Hilton Central School District offers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma programs, with a focus on developing skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication known as Approaches to Learning. Examples show how Hilton students apply these skills through community service, research projects, and sharing their strengths as learners.

1. The International
Baccalaureate in
the HCSD
Hilton-Parma Chamber of
Commerce
October 7, 2015

2. What is the International Baccalaureate?
 The International Baccalaureate (IB) began in 1968 in
Geneva, Switzerland.
 IB began its Diploma Programme (DP) for international
mobile students who were college-bound
 IB is a non-profit educational organization and is non-
governmental; sustained through IB World School fees
 4 programmes: PYP (ages 3-12, began in 1997), MYP
(ages 11-16, began in 1994), DP (ages 16-19, began in
1968), and CP (ages 16-19, began in 2012)
 The IB works with 4,267 schools in 150 countries
 Reputation for high-quality education
 Encourages a positive attitude toward learning
 Encourages international-mindedness

3. The IB Mission
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) aims to
develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young
people who help to create a better and more peaceful
world through intercultural understanding and
respect.
To this end the IB works with schools, governments and
international organizations to develop challenging
programmes of international education and rigorous
assessment. These programmes encourage students
across the world to become active, compassionate and
lifelong learners who understand that other people, with
their differences, can also be right.

4. What does it mean to be
internationally-minded?
 Businesses speak of “international relations” or
“global relations” - the “mindedness” piece is
having this knowledge as well as the empathy/care
for others around the world
 Emphasis on: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers,
Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring,
Risk-Takers, Balanced, Reflective
 Cultural understanding and celebration, political
awareness, understanding of multiple
perspectives, global awareness, recognition and
development of universal human values

5. Examples
Level Traditional IB
Kindergarten Learn symbols of
US
learn symbols of US and universal
symbols – why do we have
universal symbols and why are
specific symbols important to
countries?
8th
Grade Read textbook
excerpts about
wars in
American history
experienced a lesson in global
awareness as veterans from various
wars came to speak to students about
their experiences in the military and
how they helped change the course of
history from their points-of-view
11th
Grade Current event
discussion:
Displaying the
Confederate flag
Connected with German students who
have a similar experience and POV
with the display of the Nazi flag

6. The 3 Programmes in Hilton
 Require study across a broad range of subjects drawing on
content from educational cultures across the world
 Give special emphasis to language acquisition and development
 Encourage learning connections across disciplines
 Focus on developing the skills of learning (Approaches to
Learning)
 Provide students with opportunities for individual and
collaborative inquiry, planning and research
 Include a community service component requiring action and
reflection

7. What are Approaches to Learning?
 Skills which help students manage their own
learning
 Provide a foundation for success in further
education and the world beyond the classroom
 The development of these skills is incorporated
throughout the units of learning
Approaches to Learning
Thinking (Critical thinking, Creative thinking, Transfer skills)
Self-Management (Organization, Affective, Reflection skills)
Research (Information Literacy, Media Literacy skills)
Social (Collaboration Skills)
Communication (Listening, Speaking, Presenting, Writing skills)
Approaches to Learning
Thinking (Critical thinking, Creative thinking, Transfer skills)
Self-Management (Organization, Affective, Reflection skills)
Research (Information Literacy, Media Literacy skills)
Social (Collaboration Skills)
Communication (Listening, Speaking, Presenting, Writing skills)

8. Approaches to Learning in Action
Northwood students used critical
and creative thinking skills,
organization skills, information and
media literacy skills, and reflection
skills to research playground
equipment and bring it through the
Design Cycle

9. Approaches to Learning in Action
QUEST graduates use research
skills, social skills, organization
skills, thinking skills, and
communication skills to investigate
a passion and take action to make
the world a better place.
Some example areas of passion:
• Autism Awareness
• Water Pollution
• Stroke Prevention
• Prostate Cancer Screening
• Child Abduction Awareness
• Child Hunger
• Animal Abuse
• Gender equality in the workforce

10. Approaches to Learning in Action
Student Ambassadors from Merton Williams used
communication and affective skills to share their
strengths as a learner with Hilton East residents.
These students also used transfer and
communication skills as they shared these strengths
with younger students in the district.

11. What does this mean for you?
 Hilton is graduating knowledgeable, principled
thinkers who independently solve problems. They
are caring, open-minded, action-oriented young
people who can reflect and communicate.
 More than ever, our schools are the heart of our
community – making connections outside of
school to support learners is an integral part of
implementating the IB Programes
 IB has contributed to our “Destination District”
label, which in turn, builds community growth
and improves economy

12. QUESTIONS?
Email Andrea Geglia
ageglia@hilton.k12.ny.us
Email Brian Lumb
blumb@hilton.k12.ny.us