Our Approach to Learning
Our Approach To Learning
The Beacon School believes that every day is a journey of discovery. Beacon students are encouraged to wonder about the world around them, allowing their curiosity to guide their learning. As a result, students cultivate independence and a love of learning. They become engaged citizens, aware of their capacity to make the lives of others better, and taking appropriate action.
The school fosters a global perspective while remaining rooted in Filipino culture, values and language. It was the first school in the Philippines to be authorized to deliver both the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP: Kinder – Grade 5) and Middle Years Programme (MYP: Grades 6 – 8).
What is an IB education?
The international baccalaureate (IB) was founded in 1968 and is based in Geneva, Switzerland with regional offices situated across the world. It offers high quality educational programmes through a worldwide community of schools. The IB framework provides flexibility for Beacon School to include Filipino culture, history, and language within its curriculum. The overarching aim is to develop students’ intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in an interdependent world.
Through the IB curriculum, students learn through inquiry and activities based on the international education framework shared by more than 5700 schools around the world.
Beacon School faculty members engage in professional development with IB World School colleagues from across Asia Pacific as well as high quality professional development opportunities from cutting edge providers. Resources are shared and experiences with one another at workshops and through online tools including year long commitments with providers.
The IB Learner Profile
The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.
Inquirers
We nurture our 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 life.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Balanced
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives – intellectual, physical, spiritual, 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 experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Our Academic Programmes
The Elementary School (Pre K – Grade 5) curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). This is an international curriculum framework designed for children of Elementary School age and is part of a continuing programme that culminates in the I.B. Diploma in the final two years of high school offered at Beacon Academy. Our school was the first school in the Philippines to be authorized by the I.B. to offer both the I.B. Primary Years Programme (PYP), and the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
The IB Primary Years Programme
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3 – 12 “nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.”
As such it focuses on the total growth of the developing child, in addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs, in addition to developing strong academic skills. The PYP combines the best research and practice from schools around the world, offering a comprehensive inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning.
Many traditional subject areas, particularly Social Studies and Science, are integrated into our PYP Programme of Inquiry which develops with the development of six key units of inquiry across most of the grade levels. In addition, the students undertake learning engagements to ensure their development in Language Arts, Science and Mathematics. We also offer a strong Philippine History, Culture and Values component, as well as Art, Music and Physical Education, again being linked to the Units of Inquiry where appropriate. Students are also required to choose between Religious Education and World Religion. Our courses are fully recognized by the Department of Education, which means that, should they wish to, students can continue their education in other recognized schools and colleges in the Philippines.
In addition to the curriculum described above, we also have a range of special events each year. These events, which are usually transdisciplinary in nature, include Filipino Week, International Week, the Christmas Holiday Celebration, and a Science, Technology, Arts and Math Week, as well as a continuing focus on books.
In summary, we believe that our curriculum is rich, well-balanced and exciting for our students.
