CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PYP
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) at International School Palermo provides a comprehensive educational framework for students aged 5 to 11 years. The PYP nurtures the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students, focusing on international-mindedness and personal values. It aims at the holistic development of each individual, encouraging students to be independent and responsible for their own learning, helping them understand the world, and fostering an openness to lifelong learning. Through inquiry-based learning, students develop critical thinking skills, explore transdisciplinary themes, and build connections across different subject areas.
Ages 5-6: Early Primary (Grade 1)
Ages 7-8: Early Primary (Grades 2-3)
Ages 9-11: Upper Primary (Grades 4-6)
Curriculum
The ISP offers a challenging and meaningful curriculum, ensuring that young students are prepared for an authentic life, both in the present and in the future. The ISP's PYP program incorporates local, national, and global topics, inviting students to explore six transdisciplinary themes and consider the connections between them. All six transdisciplinary themes are introduced to students from the age of six; younger learners are presented with four of the following:
Transdisciplinary themes of PYP
who we are
where we are in place and time
how we express ourselves
how the world works
how we organize ourselves
sharing the planet
Key Points of the Training Offer
The Sections
METHODOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT
The PYP is an inquiry-based teaching and learning method that actively involves students in the curriculum, making them responsible for their own learning. Each student develops an understanding of the world that allows for growth at their own pace and through their own methods. Teaching and learning are based on the Programme of Inquiry. Students learn by conducting research within Units of Inquiry. They are stimulated through a series of questions inspired by fundamental, meaningful, and important concepts, as well as by engaging learning challenges. Within the Units of Inquiry, students learn elements from different disciplines in a meaningful, interconnected way. These disciplines are also taught for their technical aspects (e.g., languages, mathematics), including specific in-depth studies outside the Units of Inquiry.
PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY
Teaching and learning are based on the Programme of Inquiry, which consists of six Units of Inquiry. Students are engaged through a series of questions inspired by fundamental, meaningful, and important concepts, as well as by exciting learning challenges. Within the six Units of Inquiry, students learn elements from various disciplines in a meaningful, integrated way. These disciplines, or subjects, are also taught for their technical aspects (e.g., languages, mathematics), including specific in-depth studies outside the Units of Inquiry. The Programme of Inquiry also applies to the teaching of Italian; in particular, the Italian curriculum follows a six-year learning pathway designed to develop linguistic skills and competences, as well as to deepen the understanding of Italian culture in accordance with national educational guidelines. For non-native speakers, Italian is taught as an "additional language."
EXHIBITION
At the end of the PYP (Grade 6), students take part in the Exhibition, the culmination of their learning journey and a key milestone in the programme. It is a collective, interdisciplinary project developed under the guidance of teachers, where students explore a topic of personal and global relevance. The Exhibition highlights the skills and competences students have acquired throughout the PYP, reflecting the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. It demonstrates their ability to inquire, collaborate, and take action in meaningful ways. The event involves the entire school community, including teachers, peers, and parents, who are invited to share and celebrate this significant moment in the students' growth and learning.
A Typical Day
Primary – Italian: 8 hours per week, Music: 1 hour per week, Physical Education: 2 hours per week
Pre-reception
Lesson
Lesson
Break
Lesson
Lesson
Lesson
Lunch and break
Lesson
Lesson
After school handover
Services
Organization
The Primary School's academic activities take place from Monday to Friday, from 8:50 am to 3:50 pm. A supervision service is available from 7:30 to 8:50 am (pre-school care), and after classes from 3:50 to 4:15 pm (after-school care). During certain periods of the year, two afternoons per week, students can take part in optional after-school clubs (such as Lego, creativity, homework, and others) which run until 4:45 pm. A transport service is also provided to accompany students to the gyms and sports fields of Polisportiva Gonzaga for afternoon sports activities. For more information about the different sports available, please visit www.gonzagapolisportiva.it.
Admission to Primary School
Admissions follow the same timeline as the Italian school enrollment calendar. Normally, new students are placed in the class corresponding to their age, based on the January–December period of each calendar year, excluding those born between January and April of the following year (early entrants). However, exceptions for such cases may be considered after a short period of classroom observation and an evaluation conducted by teachers and the school psychologist. Enrollment is open until all available places are filled. Starting from Grade 1, thanks to their natural learning and adaptation abilities, children integrate smoothly into our environment, also benefiting from the support of bilingual assistants. From Grade 3 onwards (at the time of application), an English level assessment is carried out to personalize linguistic support. For enrollment in any grade of the Primary School, it is necessary to present the student's previous school records. For more information, please fill in the form below.
Read more about PYP on the official IB website
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) prepares students to be active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.