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Dear Laker Community,
For nearly 20 years, WPS has been proud to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP). Over the past several years, we have been building on that strong foundation by bringing the IB framework to our Lower School and working toward becoming an IB Continuum School to create a more connected IB experience for our students from the early years through graduation.
For the past four years, our Lower School faculty has been on a journey of inquiry, reflection, and growth as we have explored what it means to bring the Primary Years Program (PYP) to life at WPS. Along the way, we have asked ourselves important questions about how students learn best and how we can give them more opportunities to take ownership, make connections, reflect, and see themselves as capable, curious learners.
We have seen that thinking come to life in our classrooms. Teachers have developed and refined Units of Inquiry, created more opportunities for student agency and reflection, and found new ways to use the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning to support our students. And just as importantly, we have grown as inquirers ourselves. Our teachers have collaborated, shared ideas and challenges, reflected on their practice, and learned from one another.
One of the clearest examples of that work is our recently completed Program of Inquiry. Creating it meant looking beyond individual classrooms and thinking about the learning journey of our students as a whole—how their understanding develops from year to year and how their learning connects across grade levels and subject areas.
There is a lot to celebrate in how far we have come. Our faculty has worked incredibly hard, and the growth we have seen is a reflection of their willingness to learn, question, collaborate, and keep growing. We are excited to submit our application for authorization and welcome our IB authorization team in early 2027, but these are simply milestones in a journey that has already had a meaningful impact on our Lower School.
Our work is not done, but it is good work, and we will continue to approach what comes next with curiosity and a spirit of inquiry.
Mrs. Jamie Davidoff
IB PYP Coordinator and Lower School Curriculum Specialist
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