By Everbell Boampong, The Dr Bailey K Ashford School PS 287K, New York, US
The beginning of the school year is always intense, and our journey to becoming an IB World School has been nothing short of transformative. From being the lowest-performing school in District 13 to becoming a beacon of inquiry and global-mindedness, our story is one of perseverance, community, and belief in every child’s potential.
Integrating IB values into daily learning
In 2019, our proficiency rates were 9% in ELA (the learning and usage of the English language in an academic domain in US schools) and 6% in Math. We began by building a strong instructional foundation rooted in equity and high expectations. The IB framework helped us shift our practices, embedding learner profile attributes into daily routines, PBIS systems, town halls, and family engagement. This consistency transformed our school culture and improved academic performance, attendance, and behavior.
Empowering students through inquiry and innovation
We restructured planning sessions to include regular data chats and walkthroughs with our IB coordinator and district leaders. These efforts ensured authentic feedback and targeted support. Our students now engage with practical issues through partnerships with the UN and community-wide inquiry exhibitions. From advocating for cafeteria cleanup to designing rooftop gardens, inquiry has become the norm.
Community collaboration and celebration
Our IB Announcement Day celebrated perseverance, bringing together local leaders, families, and community partners. Events like our IB Policy Parties gave stakeholders a voice in shaping school policies. Through shared ownership, we built a culture of trust and collaboration.
Students also explore digital learning through drone flights and programming, even at a young age. Our agribusiness program connects learning to practical challenges such as food insecurity, while performing arts programs foster identity, confidence, and creativity. Resilience strategies, the learner profile, and IB values provide a safety net for students to take creative risks.
Looking ahead, we aim to deepen our partnership with the University of Puerto Rico’s Medical School and create an SDG- and STEAM-based instructional platform. Our goal is to empower students to design solutions to global challenges collaboratively.
Advice to other schools
To other schools considering IB education: stay grounded in your 'why.' Build a learning community where every child has access to internationally minded instruction. The journey requires persistence and passion, but you are not alone.
Takeaways
- Fairness and high expectations are foundational to transformation.
- Embedding IB values into daily routines builds a strong school culture.
- Inquiry-based learning empowers students to solve practical problems.
- Community partnerships and stakeholder voice are essential.
- Creative and technical programs enhance student engagement and identity.
- Stay committed to your vision. IB education is a journey worth taking.
