Primary Years Programme (PK2-Grade 4)

IN THIS SECTION

As part of Lausanne's International Baccalaureate curriculum, the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is an inquiry-based program at Lausanne for students in Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through 4th grade that takes the best of teaching and learning worldwide to create classes that are challenging, exciting and perfect for the developing minds of children. It focuses on developing the whole child as an inquirer in both the classroom and the world outside. This helps students grow socially, emotionally and academically. 

They become aware of other cultures and peoples, exploring their common humanity while appreciating their differences—all to create a better, more peaceful world. This provides them with a foundation that they build upon in their journey through Lausanne's Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP).

CHALLENGING, EXCITING, AND EXPLORATORY

The PYP is designed to teach our students to build connections across subject areas and develop investigations into their ideas while encouraging students to think deeply and make connections. Following an inquiry method of teaching, educators ask students open-ended questions, encouraging children to engage in discussions.

The students explore the world through six transdisciplinary themes:

Who we are
Where we are in time and place
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organize ourselves
How we share the planet

Meaningful Assessment

Students need meaningful and useful feedback on their learning. This allows teachers to personalize their instruction to better suit each child's individual needs. Children are assessed in all subject areas. Teachers then provide frequent feedback to students, parents and administrators. That allows teachers to reflect on teaching effectiveness, refine teaching strategies and celebrate student performance.

At Lausanne, the Primary Years Programme:

teaches students a broad base of knowledge and skills in subjects like mathematics, science, social studies and the language arts.
incorporates transdisciplinary themes that encourage students to learn more about themselves and the world around them — and to see how they interconnect.
foster every student’s development of learning with a powerful emphasis on important ideas and concepts through the units of inquiry.
emphasize the development of the whole student, including the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being of every child.
empower students to develop independence and to take responsibility for their own learning.
embrace the attributes outlined in the IB Learner Profile: students are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

Learn more about the Primary Years Programme by visiting Lausanne. Schedule your tour today.