About
International Baccalaureate
About the Program
Harrisburg Academy is proud to be the first school in the Harrisburg area to receive International Baccalaureate World School accreditation and through this, offer the IB Diploma Programme to its Upper School students and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) to its Early Childhood, Lower School and Middle School students. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum that allows students to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the International Baccalaureate Programme incorporates the best elements of education across the globe.
Harrisburg Academy is a Candidate School* for the Middle Years Programme. Harrisburg Academy is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Harrisburg Academy believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
Harrisburg Academy is a Candidate School* for the Middle Years Programme. Harrisburg Academy is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Harrisburg Academy believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
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The IB Diploma Programme is internationally recognized as one of the most challenging college-preparatory curricula available
Which is why it aligns seamlessly with the Academy's high-quality college preparatory liberal arts format and globally minded mission. Academy high school students may choose to pursue a full IB Diploma or may enroll in individual IB courses to earn a Certificate.Read More
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What is the International Baccalaureate?
Since its founding in 1965, International Baccalaureate's IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. The student who satisfies its demands demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world. The general objectives of the IB program are to provide students with a balanced education, to foster critical thinking in all academic disciplines, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience.According to the International Baccalaureate, on 2 April 2020, there were 6,995 IB programs being offered worldwide, across 5,278 schools in 158 countries. 52% of these programs are located in the Americas. Harrisburg Academy is proud to be a part of this extensive community of global learners. -
What is the Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum?
The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay.Through the Diploma Programme (DP) core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service. -
How does the Diploma Programme (DP) pave the way to University?
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities, and evidence suggests that higher rates of DP students go on to university and higher education study than non-IB students. -
IB Summer Scholarship Application
The application window for the 2021-22 IB Summer Scholarship is now open. Harrisburg Academy's one-of-a-kind International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship for Summer Study provides up to three high school students travel funds for national or international travel and summer study to an academic or service learning program. Tenth grade students pursuing a full IB Diploma or planning to take four or more IB Certificate classes at the Academy are eligible to apply. The scholarship funds may be used for travel programs in the summer of 2022. This is a competitive award, and an outside committee of business and community partners will determine the recipients.Access the application by clicking on this link. The deadline for all application materials is June 17, 2021. Scholarship recipients will be notified in August 2021.
The Primary Years Program (PYP)
Harrisburg Academy is proud to announce we are now officially a fully-authorized International Baccalaureate® (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP)! The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3 - 12 nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. Through its inquiry-led, transdisciplinary framework, the PYP challenges students to think for themselves and take responsibility for their learning as they explore local and global issues and opportunities in real-life contexts.
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What is PYP?
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Primary Years Programme is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. The PYP transdisciplinary framework focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond. Informed by research into how students learn, how educators teach, and the principles and practice of effective assessment, the program places a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning. -
What is the PYP curriculum?
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) presents a high quality, international education. It provides a curriculum framework of essential elements — the knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action that young students need to equip them for successful lives, both now and in the future.
The PYP aims to create a curriculum that is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant for learners in the 3–12 age range. The curriculum is transdisciplinary, meaning that it focuses on issues that go across subject areas. -
What does the PYP offer students?
The PYP will develop students’ academic, social and emotional wellbeing, focusing on international-mindedness and strong personal values. The PYP nurtures independent learning skills, encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning. The program incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, transdisciplinary themes and to consider the links between them. The themes include ‘who we are’, ‘where we are in place and time’ and ‘how the world works’.
The Middle Years Program (MYP)
Harrisburg Academy is proud to be an International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme(MYP) candidate school. The MYP Program is for students aged 11-16, and is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The MYP is a five-year program. Students who complete the MYP are well-prepared to undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Career-related Programme (CP).
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What is MYP?
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasizes intellectual challenge. It encourages students aged 11 to 16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. -
What is the MYP Curriculum?
The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents.The MYP requires at least 50 hours of teaching time for each subject group, in each year of the program. In the final two years of the program, carefully-defined subject group flexibility allows students to meet local requirements and personal learning goals. -
What does the MYP offer students?
The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.The program empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
