Primary Years Program (PK-5th)
The Primary Years Program (PYP) is designed for preschool-5th grade students and builds on a child’s natural curiosity and creativity while investigating big ideas. Each year, students in 1st-5th grade explore six units of study: Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organize ourselves, and Sharing the planet. (Preschool begins with 4 units, Kindergarten begins with 5).
Students explore traditional subjects within the six units of study. This means they learn language, spelling, reading, social studies, math, arts, and science skills as these subjects relate and emerge naturally in their primary classroom. We also provide specific instruction in literacy, math, the arts, physical education, and Spanish.
In the PYP, students are introduced to the IB Learner Profile which acts as a common language for students to respect themselves, others, and their community. You may hear your students refer to themselves and others as inquirers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, reflective thinkers, and communicators.
The PYP also helps students "learn how to learn" with Approaches to Learning (ATLs). ATL skills include thinking, social interaction, communication, research, and self management to help students learn independently and with others.
The Learner Profile and ATLs are embedded within units in PK-12th grade, which offers a consistent set of transferable skills for students to practice and build on over their years in ACSD schools.
Explore the PYP Curriculum
Below you can explore the PYP curriculum with our Program of Inquiry (POI). The POI was created collaboratively with our teachers and curriculum coordinators to highlight key elements of each unit so parents can understand and talk to their student about their learning.
The PYP culminates with an Exhibition in the 5th grade (or 4th for some combined 4/5 classes) and helps students demonstrate their inquiry, social action, and ability to present to an audience. Students also chose an exciting number of actions including many GreenUp day initiatives at local rivers and trails, testifying at the Vermont legislature, advocating to our US Congresswoman, planning for a school based chicken coop, planning a clothing swap, creating petitions for gender based equality and animal rights, and collecting and donating money to local and national organizations!
