St. Matthias Elementary School developing International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme at growing Lincoln Square school

LINCOLN SQUARE -- St. Matthias Elementary School announced it is developing an International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme for sixth through eighth graders, bringing to the Lincoln Square school a program that is innovative, challenging, and connected to the real world.  St. Matthias began implementation of the program last year and will be applying for IB authorization during the 2013-14 school year.  Upon acceptance, it will be the only Chicago-area parochial school with a Middle Years IB Programme and one of just a few nationwide.

“Bringing the IB Programme to St. Matthias will help to further enhance the strong curriculum at our school and prepare St. Matthias students for the challenges of high school and beyond,” said St. Matthias Principal Adam Dufault.  “These are exciting times for St. Matthias.”

Indeed, the school has experienced incredible growth over the past several years, with the student population nearly doubling in that time.  Plans are also in the works to create additional space on campus for the Middle Years Programme.  As a temporary solution to space constraints, St. Matthias partnered this fall with the Dank Haus German American Cultural Center, just two blocks away, for additional classrooms for the sixth through eighth grade students. 

“We’ve got a growing and diverse student body, and that’s exciting.  But it’s not just growth for growth’s sake,” said Dufault.  “We’re also constantly seeking to enhance the academic and overall student experience, and that’s where the IB Programme comes in.”

The IB Programme promotes learning through student inquiry and aims for students to become critical and reflective thinkers.  Additionally, the curriculum incorporates a global perspective on the issues and concepts investigated in classes.  St. Matthias teachers feel the ability for students to make connections to the larger world and their development of intercultural understanding will serve them well personally and professionally. 

St. Matthias is entering its second year of implementation of the IB Middle Years Programme and expects to be authorized by the end of the school year.  The school has initiated structural changes, such as weekly collaborative planning time for teachers and block scheduling for students, to support the development, instruction, and evaluation of new in-depth, inquiry-based IB units in all subject areas.

“We have already seen the benefits for our students.  Our classes reported significant growth in standardized testing scores this year, which we credit to the improvement in instruction as well as rising student expectations,” said Dufault.  “We look forward to extending this program to our primary grades over the next several years.”

St. Matthias has long been dedicated to an innovative curriculum that helps students develop the skills and personal qualities needed for success in today’s world.  When the school instituted its one-to-one laptop program in the sixth through eighth grades in 2004, it was among the first in the city of Chicago.  Valuing student-led inquiry, St. Matthias has also been a leader in project-based learning for the past decade.

Those interested in more information on the IB Programme can visit www.ibo.org.  Information specific to implementation of the IB Middle Years Programme at St. Matthias can found at www.goingglobalatstmatthias.com.

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St. Matthias School

St. Matthias School, a partnership of families and teachers, develops students who think critically, value diversity, and act with a compassionate worldview. Guided by our Catholic faith, we respect and respond to each child’s needs through interdisciplinary instruction that challenges our students to apply their learning beyond the classroom.