Academics
International Baccalaureate Program
A World-Class Education Starts in Elementary School
As a parent, you want your child’s education to be more than just memorizing facts and taking tests. You’re looking for a program that prepares your child to thrive in a rapidly changing world. You may even worry that traditional education isn’t enough to inspire a lifelong love of learning or to equip your child with the tools to navigate an increasingly global society.
That’s where Newtown Friends School comes in. By introducing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP), we’re offering an innovative curriculum designed to meet your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. PYP is grounded in inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning, and it aligns perfectly with our commitment to developing globally minded, compassionate individuals who are ready to lead with integrity and purpose.
That’s where Newtown Friends School comes in. By introducing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP), we’re offering an innovative curriculum designed to meet your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. PYP is grounded in inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning, and it aligns perfectly with our commitment to developing globally minded, compassionate individuals who are ready to lead with integrity and purpose.
What is the Primary Years Program?
The Primary Years Program is part of the International Baccalaureate and is designed for children ages 3-12 to help spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and make real-world connections. Using the best teaching practices from around the globe, the PYP encourages students to grow into global citizens who love learning and take responsibility for their world.
Where Quaker Values and Global Education Align
At Newtown Friends School, our mission is to nurture students who lead with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to the greater good. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program seamlessly aligns with this mission by cultivating learners who act with empathy, take responsibility for their actions, and seek solutions to real-world problems.
The IB Learner Profile Attributes are:
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Caring
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Open-minded
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Thinker
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Inquirer
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Knowledgable
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Principled
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Balanced
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Reflective
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Communicator
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Risk-taker
Our Quaker principles include:
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Peace
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Integrity
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Community
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Equality
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Stewardship
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Simplicity
Together, they create a powerful framework for educating peacemakers who can thoughtfully communicate and collaborate to make a positive impact.
Why Choose the Primary Years Program for Your Child?
The Primary Years Program goes beyond traditional education to offer a transformative experience for students — and peace of mind for parents, who know their child is part of a research-based program that emphasizes character development, resilience, and a love of learning.
With the PYP, your child benefits from:
With the PYP, your child benefits from:
A Holistic Approach
The program supports academic, social, and emotional growth, helping your child become a well-rounded individual.
Global Perspective
Students learn to see the bigger picture, connecting classroom concepts to real-world issues and fostering a sense of responsibility to the world around them.
Strong Foundations
The PYP helps your child master key skills like reading, writing, and math while also teaching them how to think deeply, ask big questions, and make connections between subjects.
Connected Community
Critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving prepare students for a wide range of challenges in the future.
What Does the PYP Look Like in Action?
As part of our work toward becoming fully accredited by the IB Primary Years Program, we are introducing these concepts in spring. For example, third graders are working on a unit about the continent and countries of Africa under the IB transdisciplinary theme of "Where We Are In Place and Time." This eight-week study blends subjects like social studies, art, music, language arts, science, and gym to provide a holistic, engaging learning experience. Here’s a glimpse into how students are learning and growing:
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Exploring Geography and Culture:
Students investigate the geography of Africa, including its diverse landscapes, and discover how geography shapes culture and resources. -
Studying Cultural Artifacts and Stories:
By examining artifacts and primary sources, students learn how traditions and beliefs influence a country’s identity. -
Learning Through the Arts
Students immerse themselves in African music, dance, and visual arts.
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“The IB PYP program is among the best out there for where we are as humanity in this rapidly and constantly changing world. It is not enough anymore to learn facts and recall them. Learning is now more and more about learning the skills to learn rather than just merely collecting information. Skills of open-minded inquiry, reflective thinking, and ability to communicate are critical.”
- Alex NFS Parent and Board Member
Come see our learning environment for yourself.
Learn how our private school in Newtown, PA, can help your child grow.
Transdisciplinary Learning
An approach that connects different subjects like science, art, and social studies into one cohesive unit, helping students make meaningful connections across topics.
Inquiry-Based Learning
A teaching method that encourages students to ask questions, explore, and discover answers, fostering curiosity and critical thinking.
Learner Profile
A set of 10 attributes, such as being caring, open-minded, and reflective, that the IB Program develops to shape globally minded, responsible individuals.
Central Idea
The main theme or concept of a unit that guides all learning activities and discussions, helping students focus on big-picture understanding.
Formative Assessment
Ongoing evaluations during the learning process that help teachers and students identify strengths and areas for growth.
Global Citizenship
The understanding of one’s role and responsibility in a diverse, interconnected world, a core goal of the PYP.
Newtown Friends School
Located In Newtown, Pennsylvania, Newtown Friends School is a Private School For Grades Pre-K-8th Grade.
