Learning at WAB is a transformative process which is intentional and iterative, challenging and joyful,
and serves an authentic purpose. (WAB Definition of Learning)
The elements of WAB's Mission are Core Values are explained on WAB's website here: wab.edu/discover/mission.
Our Philosophy:
Our Definition of Learning:
Learning at WAB is a transformative process which is intentional and iterative, challenging and joyful, and serves an authentic purpose.
WAB Core Values
These are the values we believe in and that are alive in everything we do.
The IB Mission Statement, from ibo.org/about-the-ib/mission
The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. (ibo.org/benefits/learner-profile/)
Inquirers
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgable
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Thinkers
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Communicators
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-Minded
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Risk-Takers (Courageous)
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced
We understand the importance of balancing di erent aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Reflective
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
WAB is following the Collaborative Learning Protocol between NEASC and the IB, using NEASC's new ACE 2.0 Learning Ecosystem. The ACE 2.0 Learning Principles are below. For our current accreditation and community reflection, we are focusing on LP's 2, 3, 5, 9, 10.
1. Learning Purposes --> Connected to CIS Deep Dive Project 5: Profile of WAB Alumni
Learning builds understandings, competencies, knowledge, and dispositions that can be applied across different situations. Learners become responsible and successful global citizens by actively engaging with complex real-world issues.
Learners grow through regular engagement in creative, ethical, interpersonal, technological, environmental, physical, and entrepreneurial experiences. Learners explore ideas and develop solutions that may have impact beyond themselves.
Learners engage with feedback that promotes self-awareness, improvement, and mastery. Learners demonstrate growth and development in a variety of forms.
4. Learning Perspectives
Learners face complex problems, challenges, and issues that promote deep learning. Learners consider multiple perspectives and take informed risks in the pursuit of knowledge.
5. Learner Autonomy & Engagement
Learners have age-appropriate, goal-oriented autonomy over their learning and make informed choices supported by guidance within and beyond the classroom.
6. Research, Reflection & Action
The learning community applies current research, connects with other learning communities, and uses future-oriented thinking to improve learning for all. The learning community evaluates the results of its actions and pursues questions about future innovations that prepare learners to shape their present and future. Likewise, learners analyze the results of their efforts and collaborate with peers to improve and extend their learning.
7. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Belonging --> Connected to CIS Deep Dive Pathway 2 & Strategy 2022+ I-DEAS
The learning community exhibits a culture of inclusiveness that enables the diverse needs, identities, and interests of all learners and community members to be acknowledged, actively celebrated, and proactively addressed. Differing viewpoints and opinions are invited in pursuit of an informed and welcoming community
8. Governance & Leadership for Learning
The roles of leadership and governance are aligned with the school’s learning goals, unified through a common mission, and organized through well-aligned structures that allow informed analysis, communication, and decision-making in support of learners.
The learning community optimizes physical environments, virtual opportunities, and time to support learning and wellbeing for all.
10. Learning Community Wellbeing
The learning community is a healthy environment where all members thrive. Respectful, healthy, ethical, and honest relationships create a true sense of community. Community values are clearly stated, actively lived, and define a distinct, sustained identity.
1. WAB’s culture is learning-focused
WAB is a community of deliberate learners. We understand how people learn. Learn more.
2. WAB develops self-directed learners
We teach students how to learn for themselves. At WAB, learners take responsibility to set goals, access resources and choose strategies for learning. Learn more.
3. Concept-based curriculum
Learning that starts with ‘big ideas’ rather than subject specific-content. Learn more.
4. Inquiry-driven learning
Learning is facilitated by curiosity it starts by posing questions, problems or scenarios—rather than simply presenting established facts. Learn more.
5. Academic and intellectual thinking
Learners have access to the facts, concepts and academic skills needed to fully engage with ideas (academic thinking). Learning at WAB provokes creative, critical thinking about real-world issues, ethics, empathy, and making a difference (intellectual thinking). Learn more.
6. All learners are prepared for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity (VUCA)
Today’s world is digitized, automated, globalized, and fully-connected. To be successful in this rapidly changing world, we must be capable of reflection, adaptation, and reinvention. Learn more.
7. Vertically phased, essential competencies
WAB’s essential curriculum identifies the skills, knowledge and understandings we expect our students to learn – these are the “competencies”. “Vertically phased” means there is a sequential development of competencies. Learn more.
8. Competency-based progression
Students progress to the next phase of learning when they are ready. Learn more.
9. Transdisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary learning
Making connections across and within disciplines strengthens learning. Learn more.
10. Co-constructed & personally relevant curriculum
Learners work with mentors and experts to construct their own learning pathways through, and beyond, WAB’s essential curriculum. Learning that springs from personal interest and passion
increases engagement and motivation. Learn more.
11. Real-world, connected, practical learning
Learning engages individuals in collaborative experiences with authentic audiences beyond the classroom. Learn more.
12. Individualized schedules / timetables
Learning drives the schedule, rather than the schedule driving the learning. A learner’s time is necessarily flexible and customizable to accommodate the diversity of learning needs and experiences at WAB. Learn more.
13. Individualized instruction and teaching
The needs and understandings of individual learners determine approaches to teaching and instruction for that learner. Learn more.
14. Vertically and horizontally flexible & variable learner groups
Student groups are formed and re-formed around learning needs, interests, opportunities and passions, rather than age. Learn more.
15. Flexible, diverse & variable spaces
Spaces are purposefully designed or selected for learning. Spaces can be both physical, virtual or a blend of the two. Learn more.
16. Continuous personalized feedback and reporting
Timely, targeted, and focused feedback is used to inform the learner’s next steps. Reporting is a continuous process of making information available, rather than the production of a static report card. Learn more.
17. Collaborative teacher planning
Teachers always work in teams, to develop curriculum, design learning experiences, and moderate assessments. Learn more.
18. Collegial coaching and mentoring
Coaching and mentoring are relationships that help us better understand our own practices and drive our continual professional learning. Learn more.
19. Team teaching
Student learning experiences are best when multiple people play a part in the teaching. Students work with a range of teachers to make full use of faculty expertise and experience. Learn more.
20. Adaptive support network for all learners
The development of the whole child means every learner receives personalized and ongoing support for academic, social and emotional wellbeing. Learn more.
21. All community members will become ethical and passionate stewards of our community and planet. Learn more.