A curriculum for an international community
The curriculum we follow at TKS is the perfect fit to meet the needs of our diverse and internationally minded community. The International Baccalaureate® (IB) curriculum is the most respected and widely followed academic program in international schools. It spans our youngest students through to our Grade 12s.
The International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB)
At TKS, we offer the Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP) of the IB.
There are many benefits to the IB:
- It encourages students to think critically and challenge what they are told.
- It’s independent of governments and national systems, so incorporates best practices from a range of international frameworks and curricula.
- It encourages students to consider both their local and international environment.
- Research shows that IB students perform well on international academic assessments, and often better than students in other programs.
- Diploma Program graduates are better able to cope with demanding workloads and time-management challenges and feel more prepared for college-level coursework involving research than students from non-IB schools.
The IB Learner Profile
At TKS, we all aspire to the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems and make reasoned ethical decisions.
They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
They show empathy, compassion, and respect toward the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
They explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
The Primary Years Program (PYP)
The Primary Years Program (PYP)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) prepares our young students, from the ages 6 to 11, to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in and contribute to the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom.
In the inquiry-based IB classroom, there is emphasis on real-life situations, decision-making, problem solving, research and action.
Units of Inquiry
The PYP is underpinned by six units of inquiry, around which learning is planned.
- Who we are
- Where we are in place and time
- How do we express ourselves
- How the world works
- How do we organize ourselves
- Sharing the planet
PYP Learners: Take ownership of their learning
Supporting our youngest learners’ unique needs and potential
The PYP acknowledges the unique needs of early learners. It is a distinguishing feature of the program which recognizes the importance of play as the vehicle for inquiry. Experiences during these early years lay the foundation for all future learning. The program allows educators to make choices to best enable our learners to flourish while nurturing their well-being and sense of belonging.
PYP in an Early Years Setting
The IB Middle Years Program is a five-year program and our curriculum for Grades 6-10 – that’s our students aged 11 to 15.
The MYP builds on the inquiry-based PYP program and prepares students for the rigor of the IB Diploma Program. The MYP curriculum is an innovative, academically challenging curriculum that aims to develop critical thinking, multilingual, conceptual learners with a range of complex approaches to learning.
The IB Diploma Program (DP)
The IB Diploma Program (DP) is a challenging two-year curriculum for our oldest students, aged 16 to 18 (Grades 11 and 12). It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. Research suggests that there are many benefits to DP. The program aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically.
Tech @ TKS
At TKS, we seamlessly integrate technology and information literacy to enhance learning experiences for our young people. It empowers them to create, collaborate and connect through the responsible use of print and digital resources.
We have invested in the latest technology to enhance our teaching and learning, including tablets, iPads, Laptops, and interactive panels for classroom use across the curriculum. We also have a specialized computer suite available for all our students.
We provide many in-school resources that introduce our young learners to responsible digital and technical play such as iPads, microscopes and coding toys.
Computer science week
As part of Computer Science Education Week, TKS Kindergarten collaborated with University students and staff from the Computational, Electrical, Mathematical Science & Engineering (CEMSE)...
Video & Music Production Design
Students in the High School Media & Communications: Video production class have the opportunity to develop their pre-production, production, post-production/editing, and storytelling design...
CAM in Motion
During this event, TKS creates CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) toys by using Adobe Illustrator, laser cutting, and hand-building to create parts like the box, cam parts (crank, follower, etc),...
Common sense media digital citizenship
In addition to this, TKS utilizes the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship curriculum to support students to make smart choices online and take ownership of their digital lives. Part of this...
TKS Online Libraries
You don’t need to be on campus to access our libraries. With access to an exceptional selection of online resources, your child has everything they need, on demand. Whenever they want. And wherever in the world they are.