PJA adopts IB to expand excellence
By Deborah Moon
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Portland Jewish Academy “is looking to move to the next level of excellence” with its move to become an International Baccalaureate school in primary and middle school.
Named by the U.S. Dept. of Education as Oregon’s only 2005 Blue Ribbon School, PJA already is “reassuringly close” to meeting the guidelines to become an accredited IB school, said Patricia Schwartz, PJA’s interim head of school.
“The International Baccalaureate Organization is the educational leader in developing recognized international programs of study for students of all ages, now available in 120 countries,” said Schwartz.
Unlike the high school IB program, which is very rigorous and targeted for youth ready to do college work, Schwartz said the primary and middle school IB programs are based on best development practices and are suitable for all children.
“This is not an elitist program in primary and middle years,” said Schwartz. “If it were, it wouldn’t fit with our mission statement.”
Also unlike the high school program, the IBO does not supply curriculum for the lower grades. PJA will continue to use its own curriculum but will adapt it to the IB standards.
Schwartz said the IB standards are geared to making sure students have the transdiscipline skills—such as social, research and communication skills—required for success in education and in building a successful life. Specific information on IB programs is available online at www.IBO.org.
The IB’s emphasis on creating active, compassionate and lifelong learners also fits well with PJA’s “emphasis on creating ethical human beings who are morally grounded,” said Schwartz. “The IB profile is the same kind of person we’ve been creating.”
IB and PJA also are in accord on the importance of integration and appreciation of the arts to create a well-rounded student, she said.
Schwartz said that not every subject would follow IB theme units. She said the school will not attempt to integrate themes into math and Hebrew.
Earning IB accreditation will take about three years, said Schwartz. But the school will launch the IB program next fall in the primary school.
“Teachers of Ganon (4-year-old full-day class) through fifth grade have been trained and are now writing units and organizing classes for next year,” said Schwartz. “They are working with our curriculum and fashioning it to the standards we want to meet."
The launch of the program in the middle school will be determined after the middle school teachers complete the training and begin the prep work to implement the program, said Schwartz.
Schwartz said she has been very impressed by the faculty’s willingness to do the extra work to implement the program. She said they are devoting a lot of in-service hours and time outside school to revise their teaching plans.
“When they see an opportunity that will affect children’s lives and give them the best education possible, they are willing to take on the work,” she said.
“Their willingness to invest and do the work says a lot about our faculty and the quality of people teaching here,” agreed Marisa Brown, PJA director of marketing and communications.
On April 13, PJA will offer a presentation on the IB program at PJA. The community is invited to learn about the new program at 1 p.m., April 13, at the school, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. The presentation will be followed by an open house at 1:30.
Since classes are approaching capacity for next year and the deadline to apply for financial aid for the 2008-09 school year is Feb. 1, parents of prospective students are invited to call for a school tour and more information on the IB program. To arrange a tour, call PJA Admissions Director Linda Nemer Singer at 503-535-3599.