INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

curriculo_norteamericano_e_internacional

The principles of the Montessori philosophy and the fundamental principles of Blue Valley School, are sustained on a profound respect for the child and the conviction that he will develop to his full potential.

Our BVS-IB Program has been developed in accordance with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program of international education offered to a worldwide community of schools. As required by the IB program, our BVS-IB program includes a curriculum and applies assessment procedures, which follow internationally recognized standards of education.

At Blue Valley we believe in character development and providing a learning environment that encourages individuals to express their views, grasp challenges enthusiastically and responsibly assume the inherent consequences of such freedom. Thus, it is our philosophy that any student that has the desire and formal commitment to embark upon the academic journey of going into the BVS-IB program has the opportunity to do so. It is this fundamental belief that sets apart the BVS-IB program from other IB world schools.

At Blue Valley we truly believe in our students and their future, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.

Coordinator: Ms. Patricia Prats
Telephone: (506) 2215-2204 ext. 120
Fax: (506) 2215-2205
Email: ibcoordinator@bluevalley.ed.cr

 

Overview

The BVS-IB Diploma Program is a challenging two-year program. Our students are authentically exposed to what is stated in our school’s mission statement and to the IB Learner Profile.

“To offer cutting-edge academic preparation and ensure that our students become individuals guided by a strong moral compass. A proper balance between the Humanities and the Sciences will support our academic goals, guided by the principle of a sound mind in a sound body. Blue Valley School models and teaches students to become architects of their destiny, wise decision makers, prudent risk takers, and active participants in local and global communities, safeguarding individual and collective rights and responsibilities inherent to a free society.

Blue Valley School (2013), Mission Statement, School Manual

The Diploma Program prepares the students for the demands that they will be faced with in the current globalized economy. High standing universities around the world recognize the rigors to which students are exposed and the level of excellence and ethical behavior required to be able to attain the credit.

At BVS, we continually invest in our staff of IB teachers by providing up-to-date training and the required resources that enable them to provide stimulating and challenging courses. Blue Valley offers two sessions during the course of the year. This allows students to take their exams in either May or November.

By the end of the two-year program (at the end of twelfth grade first semester) the BVS-IB student acquires the IB Diploma, having been able to obtain one semester earlier the Blue Valley High School Diploma and the “Bachillerato de Enseñanza Media” thus complying with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education requirements.

Curriculum

All IB World Schools must comply with the general six subject groups and core subjects.

IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME-logo


Thus, as world schools, we are entitled to develop our own curriculum to meet the general needs of our students. For that reason our BVS-IB curriculum offers the following subjects.

IB Diploma Program BVS-IB Diploma Program
Group 1 & 2 English HL & Spanish HL
Group 3 Business and Management SL & Economics SL
Group 4 Chemistry (SL & HL) & Physics (SL & HL)
Group 5 Math Studies SL & Mathematics SL
Group 6 Visual Arts (SL & HL

SL = Standard Level           HL = Higher Level

In addition to these subjects, the student must comply with the core that includes TOK (Theory of Knowledge), CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) and the Extended Essay.

Assessment

The assessment procedures applied by the BVS-IB Program strictly follow the policies and procedures developed by the IB organization. Therefore, each subject is evaluated through a series of internal and external assessments, which vary accordingly to the subject matter. External assessment exams are developed and provided by the IB organization. These are applied to students simultaneously around the world, timed and safely kept in order to protect their integrity.

BV-International Baccalaureate CLASS

BVS-IB Community

At BVS-IB we are a team composed of students, teachers and parents. All members are an integral part of the program, contributing and supporting each other. It is this relationship among the team members that enables the students to grow as balanced individuals, morally abiding, and tolerant of the differences that arise from an enriched and diverse environment.

Consequently, communication is a crucial element to maintain ties among the BVS-IB team members. For that matter, the BVS-IB Community has it’s own page in the Blue Valley Edmodo platform where everyone has access to the following information:

Subject Syllabus and Pacing

Weekly Plans

General news and event information

Testimonials

I experienced those feelings when departing Costa Rica in March of 2007 and have not fully emotionally recovered from losing a life experience I hold so deep in my heart. July 2000 was my first semester at BVS. I fell in love from day one. I looked forward to my job every day. BVS completed me as a professional in education. It encompassed all that I had read about and philosophized about in regards to effective education.Teach, assess and form citizens.

Ms. Teacher 2000 - 2007

Al salir yo de Blue Valley, mi hija continuó creciendo al lado de ustedes, de grandes maestros, maestras y profesores quienes con gran cariño y profesionalismo la ayudaron a crear la joven mujer que se graduó de bachillerato y de IB hace dos años. La preparación que recibió en BVS fue fundamental para su aceptación en diferentes universidades en Estados Unidos, el otorgamiento de becas y su ingreso a una de ellas......

Mrs. Mother and Ms. Teacher 1992 to 2002

The freedom students have to handle themselves appropriately, whether it be in class or during their free time, is a valuable life skill. This is the first school I have seen that puts such a strong emphasis on fostering this skill. I have had several doubts about the idea of teaching in the States in the future because I strongly disagree with the way education is going in the States. I think Blue Valley has made me a much stronger teacher than I ever imagined being in my third year of teaching. I have the administration, and all my coworkers to thank for that! I feel extremely honored to be a part of this staff.

Ms. Teacher 2013 – 2014

You have a very special and vibrant learning culture. Your students are most fortunate!

Ms. NEASC Evaluator. FS14

Es impresionante lo bien preparados que llegamos a college los graduados de Blue Valley.

Mr. Student. Class of SS13 presently at Pomona University

Just so you know, some of my fondest professional memories also took place at Blue Valley School. You really did a great job in establishing a well-run center of intellectual curiosity and of attracting bright students and good teachers.

Mr. Teacher 1996 to 2002

Este sistema, en que un niño está constantemente moviendo objetos con sus manos y activamente ejercitando sus sentidos, también toma en consideración la especial aptitud del niño hacia las matemáticas. Cuando dejan los materiales, los niños llegan fácilmente al punto donde quieren escribir la operación. Por lo tanto, llevan una operación mental abstracta y adquieren una inclinación natural y espontánea para los cálculos mentales.

El método Montessori, María Montessori

Si la enseñanza debe ser eficaz para los niños pequeños, debe apoyarlos en su avance por el camino de la independencia. Debe iniciarlos en el tipo de actividades que ellos puedan realizar por sí mismos y que los aleje de ser una carga para otros por sus incapacidades. Debemos ayudarlos a aprender a caminar sin ayuda, a correr, a subir y bajar escaleras, a recoger objetos caídos, a vestirse y desvestirse, a lavarse a sí mismos, a expresar sus necesidades de manera clara y a tratar de satisfacer sus deseos por medio de su propio esfuerzo. Todo esto es parte de una educación para la independencia.

El método Montessori, María Montessori

Hay una parte del alma infantil que siempre ha estado desconocida pero que debe conocerse. Con un espíritu de sacrificio y entusiasmo, debemos entrar a buscar, como aquellos que viajan a tierras lejanas y desgarran las montañas en busca del oro oculto. Esto es lo que los adultos deben hacer para buscar el factor desconocido que se extiende en la profundidad del alma infantil. Esta es una labor en la cual todos debemos compartir, sin distinción de nacionalidad, raza o situación social, ya que significa el llevar adelante un elemento indispensable para el progreso moral de la humanidad.

El niño, el secreto de la infancia, María Montessori

“ El programa IB me enseñó acerca de mis propios límites, acerca de mi capacidad para resistir situaciones adversas y salir victorioso. Académicamente, te prepara para el futuro y te da una ventaja en las destrezas necesarias para la vida moderna. Personalmente, te enseña muchas lecciones valiosas en paciencia, perseverancia y pruebas. Si estás listo para el desafío, hazlo. Lo que vas aprender es que bien vale la pena el sacrificio.

Alejandro Faerron- BVS-IB 14ª generación

Decidí tomar sólo Economía en vez de el programa completo de IB. Es una materia que es muy útil sin importar lo que elija estudiar en la universidad. En mi caso, tuve que tomar algunos cursos relacionados con Economía y realmente me ayudó el haber tenido ese conocimiento previo. Yo recomiendo que tomen al menos una materia de IB y les garantizo que se beneficiarán de ella de alguna manera.

Brian Harrington –IB 13ª generación

Cuando faltaban pocos meses para terminar el IB, pensé que nunca lo completaría. Pensé que no lo lograría porque era muy difícil, pero para mí fue el momento de hacer las cosas mejor y continuar dando lo mejor de mí. Y lo hice. El programa IB ha contribuido de gran manera en mi sentido de responsabilidad y organización, no sólo en lo académico sino en mi vida diaria. Me ha dado la oportunidad de crecer como persona y prepararme para quien quiero ser y para las metas que quiero lograr. Muchas universidades me han ofrecido becas sólo por haber completado el IB y ahora me voy a una gran universidad para perseguir mi vocación y futura carrera.

Maripaz Casas – BVS-IB 13ª Generación

El programa IB fue un momento decisivo en mi disciplina y conocimiento. Me enseñó mi potencial y cuánto puedo esforzarme para lograr metas. Definitivamente, el hecho de conocerme mejor ha hecho mi vida más fácil. La remuneración son los logros personales, la confianza y el orgullo.”

Daniel Araya- BVS-IB 13ª Generación