Concepts:  What do we want our students to understand?  The PYP builds children’s curiosity by encouraging them to ask questions that drive the inquiry. Therefore, they become more independent and responsible for their own learning. By developing individual talents and setting high academic standards, PYP students become responsible citizens, thinkers, and international life-long learners who respect the culture and attitude of others. The key questions that drive the process of inquiry and frame the units of inquiry: • Form-What is it like? • Function-How does it work? • Causation-Why is it like this? • Change-How is it changing? • Connection-How is it connected to other things? • Perspective-What are the points of view? • Responsibility-What is our responsibility? • Reflection-How do we know? Knowledge:  What do we want our students to know about? Knowledge is considered to be an in-depth understanding of significant ideas. A key element of PYP is the creation of a program of inquiry and development of units of inquiry.  These units are created by teachers but with alignment both horizontally, within the same grade, as well as vertically, across the K-6 grades, to insure the success of the student program for their entire experience in St. Louis Park public schools. To see our Programme of Inquiry, choose the link below. Skills:  What do we want our students to be able to do? In the process of structured inquiry the students acquire five sets of transdisciplinary skills which they need to succeed in a changing and challenging world. The skills acquired are: • thinking • communication • social • research • self-management skills Attitudes: What do we want our students to feel, value and demonstrate? The programme promotes and fosters a set of attitudes which are: tolerance, respect, integrity, independence, enthusiasm, empathy, curiosity, creativity, cooperation, confidence, commitment and appreciation.  
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is an inclusive programme that has something to offer everyone.
Action:  How do we want our students to act? Students are encouraged to reflect, make informed choices and take action that will help others.
The PYP is best educational practices packaged into one program.  It helps build responsible citizens, inquisitive learners and internationally-minded students.
District Coordinator Publications Learner Profile Philosophy Curriculum The Essential Elements of PYP