Since 1996, GNS has been proud to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Continuum School. We are proud of our unique 'IB Advantage': a 21st-Century approach which educates the whole child and creates global thinkers.
The IB is a world-renowned educational programme for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Through inquiry-based and experiential learning, the IB continuum offers an enriched course of study delivered by specially trained educators that prepares students to be committed, creative and compassionate citizens of the world.
GNS is authorized to offer three IB programmes:
Within the framework of the PYP and the MYP, our teachers follow the prescribed British Columbia curriculum using an approach to teaching that engages the learner. The DP is an internationally standardized, enriched curriculum that includes first-year university concepts and material. Each program requires the completion of a culminating project: the PYP exhibition, the MYP personal project and the
DP extended essay.
Student learning in the IB is inquiry-based and focused on critical thinking and the application of skills and knowledge. This allows our students to develop not only their academic skills, but also their character. An IB education fosters international-mindedness by helping students reflect on their own perspective, culture and identities, as well as those of others.
The
IB Learner Profile places the student at the centre of their learning. Our IB educators help students develop these attributes over their time at GNS: inquiring, knowledgeable, thinking, communicative, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-taking, balanced, reflective and persevering.
Learning how to learn is a fundamental component of all IB programmes, and is centred on a cycle of inquiry, action and reflection. On their journey from PYP to MYP to DP, students are supported to develop a set of approaches to learning skills, which are organized into five categories: thinking skills, research skills, communication skills, social skills and self-management skills.
Overall, the IB nurtures a commitment to learning as a life-long process, challenging students to take thoughtful action with their newly-acquired knowledge and skills.