Why should we send our kids to an IB School?

Why IB? What is IB?

The world our kids are going to face ~ when they grow up, is
changing rapidly. To be truly successful in life, our kids need to be
truthful, joyful and must have excellent character. Building these
qualities in the students is possible through coupling the concepts of
our Vedantic wisdom with the philosophy of IB. At the same time, we
also want our kids to achieve material and financial success. The
amalgamation of
IB pedagogy and
Vedantic teachings
will, as we
experience from
our current kids,
sure that your
child is successful
and will, in all
aspects of life, be
successful.

Today the
knowledge that we
learn in schools and colleges gets out-dated very in the very next
(every) two to three years. All of this knowledge is, anyways,
available, instantly and freely. Learning and memorizing more and
more content is hardly of any use these days.

To succeed in the current rapidly changing world, we need

individuals who can think critically and creatively and can find
solutions to problems faced by the society, nation and the world. We
need to reflect if our traditional content based schooling system,
which focuses only on examination and marks, (is actually) preparing
our kids for this future. Are schools teaching for the conceptual
understanding and building 21 st century skills, or are they just
focused on completing the content and competing for the top grade or
percentage.

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 What actually matters for the 21st century children!? It is not
the grades, standardized testing or teacher evaluation that matter at
the end of the day. It is their character and inner strength! It is what
William Butler Yeats, 1865-1939, Irish poet, says, ‘Education is not
the filling of a pail, but the lighting of
a fire’.

Recent reports by the National Centre

on Education and the Economy and
the Association of American Colleges
and Universities identify the following
essential skills for the 21st century:
 Creativity and innovation
 Self-discipline and organization
 Leadership
 Teamwork
 Cross-disciplinary knowledge
 Communication skills
 Analytical reasoning
 Real-world problem-solving skills

Academic education alone is

not enough because it so deeply underestimates what our
kids can now do.

It is a fundamental error to think that

if we just improve “academic education” (and perhaps
add a few more skills)
all will be well.
-Marc Prensky

We need to
fundamentally
change the idea
of what Global
Education should
be!!

The need of the

millennium is to help
students discover the
secret power from
within, so that they

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can contribute not only to their immediate families but to the society
as well, bringing about a shift in education from ‘content driven’ to
‘concept driven’. Victorious Kidss Educares today is one of the largest
IB World Schools in Pune that is authorized to facilitate the process
of learning for students’ right from 6 weeks to 19 years through its
Foundation Years Programme (FYP), Primary Years Programme (PYP),
Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The
objective of our school is aligned with the IB mission of developing
inquiring, knowledgeable, caring attributes in youngsters who are not
only active but also compassionate and understand that other people
with their differences could also be right, creating a better and more
peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

The blend of IB curriculum along with Vedic wisdom at

Victorious Kidss Educares concurrently nurtures and strengthens the
intellectual, emotional, physical and social development of a child. IB
and VKE aspire to create well rounded students with excellent
character: students who can respond to challenges with optimism
and an open-mind; students confident in their own identities;
students who make ethical decisions; students who join with others in
celebrating our common humanity; students who are prepared to
apply what they learn in the real world, during complex and
unpredictable situations.

An IB education is informed by the values described in the learner

profile:
• Centres on learners – the IB’s student-centred programmes
promote healthy relationships, ethical responsibility and
personal challenge to the students

• Develops effective approaches to teaching and learning – IB

programmes help students to develop the attitudes and skills
they need for both academic and personal success

• Works within global contexts – IB programmes increase

understanding of languages and cultures, and explores globally
significant ideas and issues

• Explores significant content – IB programmes offer a curriculum

that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected.

We prepare students to face the challenging world by finding

their individual strengths and competencies. We nurture creativity
and kindle the spirit of enquiry in the students. We give our students
freedom to paint their dreams making them future ready!! We provide
early childhood education right from 6 weeks of age offering a broad-
based continuum of National and International education through the
3 authorized International Baccalaureate Programmes. We provide
students with an environment to nurture the truth of life. Education
here is based on freedom, expansion of mind and inquiry with the best

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possible infrastructure. Students develop an awareness of local and
global issues and a sense of empathy and responsibility, motivating
them to take initiatives and look after the environment and the
community.

IB Education at VKE guarantees each child

finding the ‘Inner Light’ of excellence from within.

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Going from Foundation Years Programme (FYP) to Diploma Programme
(DP)

Victorious Kidss Educares and IBO have worked and collaborated

immensely with some of the top educators in the world to create a balanced
connection and continuum between the programmes. This is because as
educators we believe that to create successful world citizens, we need to work
hard in a harmonious way and take our students through a gradual journey
of this world-class education experience from FYP to DP. As they move
through educational systems and schools structures, students benefit from
the consistent educational aims, clear pathways for progression through
academic disciplines, and shared approaches to teaching and learning of the
FYP, PYP, MYP and DP. In developmentally crucial periods, this alignment
helps students flourish personally and academically.

The philosophy of IB combined with the ancient Vedantic wisdom is

ingrained into our students’ system right from the Foundation Years
Programme and it keeps percolating deeper as they move to Primary Years
Programme, the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. Hence the
continuum of International Education for VKE kids from 6 weeks to 19 years
is unique and essential not only because of academic rigor, but also for their
personal growth and creativity. The IB programmes, along with school’s
Foundation Years Programme are interconnected and share a powerful
common vision throughout. We will see below how each programme be it FYP,
PYP, MYP and DP in its entirety prepares students for the next steps and is a
logical move towards becoming an International minded well-grounded
individual.

The Foundation Years is a holistic educational programme using the concepts

of Brain Development, ‘Multiple Intelligences’ and ‘Individual Learning Style’ ~
whether ‘Mover’, ‘Listener’ or a ‘Viewer’? It allows infants and toddlers to
grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. Using play the way
method based learning; it retains a vibrant, loving atmosphere, which is led
by positive energy. Here emphasis is on creative thinking, creative writing
and building basic skills and a positive attitude.

PYP gives an excellent foundation for the IB’s other programmes. The
PYP framework focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer
both at school and beyond. PYP focuses on the student’s academic, social and
emotional well being with developing International-mindedness and strong
personal values. It nurtures independent learning skills and encourages
students to take responsibility for their learning. It equips young students

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with knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action for their successful
lives, not only now (in the present times) but also in future. They learn to solve
problems, take ownership of their learning, reflect upon what is learnt and
become open-minded looking at the society at large. It improves the ability of
the students to think, discuss and express them to a great extent.

This makes it easier for a student to blend with the MYP’s coherent and
comprehensive curriculum, which provides academic challenge and develops
life skills. At the PYP level itself students are groomed towards emotional,
mental and social wellbeing, so in MYP which is a very critical period in the
development of young minds, the student is able to understand the
intellectual challenge, explore their learning preferences, take appropriate
risks and are able to establish their own personal identities. The shift from
PYP to MYP is natural and gradual developing new set of skills that allow
them to get evolved as individuals. In MYP we enable Interdisciplinary Unit of
Inquiry, which helps PYP students to move from a transdisciplinary approach
to an interdisciplinary model. Since we are moving to and even more
conceptual’ and ‘inquiry based model of education’, more appropriate for the
21st century learners, it is only wise to be with the continuum from PYP to
MYP.

Similarly, MYP subject groups form an important common foundation for

all students planning to take up Diploma Program. It provides strong
alignment points for students progressing into the DP, allowing them to
acquire necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to be successful. The
content of the curriculum in MYP is thus a preparatory ground for students to
succeed in DP and its final objectives are in continuity and progression from
year 5 of the MYP into the two-year DP programme.

It is a known fact that as one moves through the educational systems

and school structures, the student benefits only through consistent aims, clear
pathways of progression through academic disciplines and shared
approaches to learning and teaching which is very evident throughout PYP
throughout PYP, MYP and DP. In a developmentally crucial period, this
alignment helps students flourish personally and academically in the 21st
Century.

The following grid will vividly show the alignment of PYP, MYP & DP

EYP PYP MYP DP

Action Action & Creativity,
Action
Service Action & Service
Play Based Extended Essay,
Exhibition Personal Project
Learning TOK
Values Learner profiles
Learning
Approaches to Teaching & Learning (ATL)
Styles
Global Contexts

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 International Mindedness

These common core areas might sound the same but are built
upon each other every year as the students graduate to a higher
programme.

Just as all the 3 trimesters are essential for the birth of a

healthy well-nourished baby; a student, who has undergone all the 4
programmes of VKE and International Baccalaureate, will confidently
stand out as an internationally minded, well rounded learner in letter
and spirit. Success, therefore, is not just in the foreign country, but
equally grounded, in their Mother country.

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IB Schooling V/s Traditional Approach
IB Curriculum Coupled with
Traditional Curriculum Vedanta
@Victorious Kidss Educares

Focus on enduring (lifelong)

Focus on coverage of the syllabus understanding of all round academics,
which are beyond all syllabi.

Viewing students as thinkers with

Viewing the teacher as the sole
emerging theories of the world around
authority with rigid objectives and
us. Pursuing open-ended inquiry and
time bound completion of fixed
real-life investigations with time
syllabi
schedules.

Building curiosity and a desire for

Focusing on what students do not children to ‘want to know’; Future
know learning based on what the children
want to know

Empowering students to feel responsible

Teaching about responsibility and and build inner lifelong discipline.
the need for action by others Learning to give and serve family
members, friends, and the community.

Involving students in planning for their

Viewing students as passive
own learning and assessment. Teachers
recipients and the teacher making
work as mothers, guides, and
all the decisions
facilitators.

Planning a large number of

Planning inquiries, to be explored in
activities that will be covered
depth and applying in day-to-day real
superficially with very few practical
life and family situations.
or hands-on experiences.

Involving students in self / peer-

Viewing assessment as the sole
assessment and rigorous (practical and
prerogative of the teacher
accurate) assessment

Assessment is based on power of Assessments are based on real life task

reproducing information. where students have to apply their
Understanding the information or skills, their understanding, and
theory is not mandatory. problem solving abilities.

Quality control through continuous

No quality control for maintaining
evaluation of schools from IBO.
the standards, laid down by the
Adequate research facilities for
respective boards. No standards of
professional enhancement through
assurance to the parents on
books, electronic media, Internet and
teachers and taught syllabi.
IBO Forum.

Teaching responsibility is The sole responsibility of the student

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transferred to home tutors and and the learning is of the school.
parents Standards are guaranteed.

Focuses on the holistic development of

the child through Approaches to
Focuses only on academics
Learning, Learner Profile, CAS, TOK,
Extended Essay, Personal Project etc.

Rigorous training of teachers, senior

teachers, and principal members. IBO
Very less opportunities for teacher
trains teachers through regional, in-
training
school and online workshops to
maintain international standards.

THE IB CONTINUUM

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 Building their brain potential
Making quick to respond with a smile
Making them brave
FYP Easily building technological skills and motor coordination

Making Connections to ‘Their World Around’

Building foundations of learning
Enhancing skills and building attitude of learning to love to learn

PYP Focusing on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the
classroom and in the world outside

Enabling students to apply their knowledge and skills in the context of ‘Real World
Problems’
Preparing them for a Pre-University Course
Encouraging students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers
MYP Development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global
engagement, qualities that are essential for life in the 21st century

Making student ready for the success in higher education and the fast changing
world
Addressing the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students
DP Rigorous academic study, within a broad and balanced curriculum
CAS, TOK, Extended Essay and Subject skills help students remain ahead of other
board students in colleges and universities.

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CAREER COUNSELLING
“STUDY WHAT YOU REALLY LIKE” – Do what you love, love what
you do.
Furthermore, we at Victorious Kidss Educares, have a well-
developed Career-counselling department that facilitates proper
orientation and transition
initiatives for students from
MYP to DP. We have transition
meetings with teachers and
students to identify how the
students’ needs and interests
could be connected with subject
choices, programme
requirements and academic
expectations in further study.

The mission of the home

and the school, parents and
teachers, is to help students
identify their ‘self-worth’, academic goals and aspirations and ensure
that it is in line with the larger purpose of life. We handhold students
right from subject selection, to launching themselves in
undergraduate colleges, as mature and caring adults; serving not
only themselves and their families but also the entire world.

Our experience has shown that students who have continued

their education throughout FYP, PYP, MYP and DP have shown
excellent results. Students have secured scores like 53, 51 and 50 out
of 56 making us one of the top rankers in the Asia Pacific region as
well. To get such high ranks, they need to score a 100% in many
subjects, which is highly commendable considering International
Baccalaureate. Our DP students have also been securing high scores
like 42 and 40 out of 45 over the past years, which is really
overwhelming. Students are getting placed in highly accredited
colleges and Universities from around the globe like IE Spain, Carl
Benz, Florida Tech and so on. They are receiving offers along with
scholarships from premium institutions before they complete their IB
DP examinations. One of our students has also secured a score in SAT
that is in the top 1% globally.

Our aim is that every student should be well placed in an

institution where he can gain practical knowledge, hands on
experience, unlimited opportunities infused with creativity in
thought, offering rich cultural heritage and diversity thus creating
beautiful human beings.

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 In a nutshell, our philosophy driven by the ancient wisdom of
Vedantic rich heritage of India, coupled with the latest of Western
Science of IB – Teaching and Learning is the answer for the 21 st
Century!!

As parents, I would urge you to have faith in the system with

complete clarity, as this will certainly reflect in the progress of your
child.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten

what one has learned in school.”
Albert Einstein.

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