Learning
The overarching mission of OIS and our sister school SIS drives our approach to teaching, our extra-curricular activities, and our pastoral care programmes. Our goal is to develop
“informed, caring, and creative individuals who contribute to a global community.”
This is more than just a distant ideal; by maintaining high academic standards, a strong community service programme, shared programmes, and joint school events between the two schools, OIS and SIS consistently provides students with opportunities and encouragement to achieve these outcomes.
Our curriculum
- About the International Baccalaureate
- OIS Curriculum Framework (Overviews of the PYP - MYP - DP)
- Links for more information
About the International Baccalaureate
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin was the first school in the east Asia region to offer the three curricular programmes of the International Baccalaureate® (IB)
Our academic curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Progamme (PYP), Middle Years Progamme (MYP), and Diploma Programmes (DP). This provides a continuum of learning from kindergarten through high school, and develops key skills that prepares our students for success at university and beyond.
The learning content, teaching standards and assessment of the IB curriculum is consistent throughout the IB school community, and is designed to meet the high standards set by thousands of universities and colleges around the world. The three IB programmes “offer curriculum frameworks and courses that are broad and balanced, conceptual and connected” (http://www.ibo.org/benefits/).
The hope of the IB to build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect matches exactly with the ethos and purpose of the OIS and the Two Schools Together concept. The International Baccalaureate aims to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The 3 programme curriculum (K-12) model gives OIS a consistency in our approach to education. The IB Learner Profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success.
Teaching and learning in the IB
An IB education develops the ability of students to learn and work independently and in collaboration with others, both of which are key skills needed in today’s workplace. It also provides a framework which students can apply to any task: inquiry, action, and reflection.
The process and interplay of asking, doing, and thinking about the results of their actions ensures that students have an approach and a skill-set that will set them up for lifelong learning.
Global context, multilingualism and intercultural understanding
The IB curriculum and teaching approach requires students to recognize that their beliefs, values and understanding represent but one perspective. They learn to critically assess their own perceptions, and to appreciate and value the perspectives of others, recognizing both the commonalities and diversity that exists within the global community. An integral part of developing intercultural understanding is the ability to communicate and learn about other cultures through another language. The IB programmes require all students to learn another language, and some students even choose to learn a third language as part of their diploma.
OIS Curriculum Framework (Overviews of the PYP - MYP - DP)
KA - Grade 5 (IB PYP)
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) prepares students from kindergarten to grade 5 (ages 4 to 12) to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them.
It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom. The units of inquiry feature the homeroom teacher collaborating with specialist teachers in physical education, visual arts, music and Japanese to support the development of the whole child.
To bring the PYP programme to a conclusion, students in grade five complete and present an extended, in-depth, collaborative project known as the PYP exhibition. OIS has been authorized to deliver the PYP curriculum since 2004.
For more information, please see the Elementary School page, or contact the PYP Coordinator at OIS.
Grade 6 - Grade 10 (IB MYP)
The Middle Years Programme, which forms the basis of our curriculum from grades 6 through 10, is a framework of eight subject groups that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The programme aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning. It empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally, and the result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The framework also includes:
- Approaches to learning (ATL), helping students learn how to learn by developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management. A breakdown of expectations by grade level is available here.
- Key and related concepts, helping students explore big ideas that matter
- Global contexts, helping students understand the relevance and importance of their study for understanding their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.
A map of the MS and HS curriculum is available here.
The MYP culminates in a personal project, Students complete a significant piece of work over an extended period of time, which consolidates much of their learning throughout middle school, and helps prepare the students for the final two years of high school, when they study for the OIS high school Diploma and, in most cases, the IB Diploma.
OIS has been authorized to deliver the MYP curriculum since 2004. OIS does not participate in the optional eAssessment program offered in the MYP.
Progression from grade 10 to high school is dependent upon achieving course credits, completing the personal project, and all coursework in grade 10.
For more information, please see the Middle & High Schools page, or contact the MYP Coordinator at OIS.
MYP Coordinator
Stephanie Alcantara
MYP Coordinator; MYP Maths & Science Teacher; G6 Homeroom Teacher
Grade 11 - Grade 12 (IB DP)
The Diploma Programme (DP) studied in grades 11 and 12 (ages 16 to 18), “aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically” (ibo.org). It is in our opinion, the best preparation for success in university studies. The students will develop independence and critically think for themselves which will aid them in their post university careers and prepare them for the global economy. OIS also has support for students coming into the DP from other types of curriculum.
OIS has been authorized to deliver the DP since 1991 and in our 24 years of cohorts completing the exams, we have an average score of 33.14, which is well above the worldwide average and a pass rate of 94%.
The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. The DP core elements which compulsory are as follows:
- A Theory of Knowledge class that provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge similar to a epistemology course.
- The Extended Essay which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper that is assessed both in-school and by independent external examiners. This gives the students an experience of university-level research project.
- Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) provides students structured opportunities to develop as a whole person. They will develop creativity through the arts, a healthy lifestyle through physical exertion and volunteer in the community to support the disadvantaged in our society.
OIS offers the following main courses in the six subject groups:
DP cohort 2021-2023
- Language and literature
- Language acquisition
- English B
- Japanese B
- Japanese ab initio
- Spanish ab initio
- Arts
DP cohort 2022-2024
- Language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Individuals and societies
From August 2022 students will also be able to take a course through Pamoja, an IB-authorised online lesson provider. This option enables us to offer a wider range of course options, however the courses are taught, assessed, and administered by another organization, not by OIS teachers. Pamoja courses do incur additional costs which the student must add to the regular tuition fees.
As with all course selections, a request to take a Pamoja course is subject to certain conditions and requires the approval of the DP Coordinator.
We also can tailor a schedule to meet the individual needs of a student, depending on interest, ability, and resources available. We also have access to German, Mandarin, Korean and French teachers at the Senri International School, depending on their availability and course schedules.
Students must take courses in 5 of the 6 areas and take 3-4 of the courses at a higher level (HL) comprising of 240 teaching hours. The other courses are taken at the standard level (SL) comprising of 150 teaching hours. OIS offers guidance for students and parents in selecting the best course of study to meet the individual needs of the student.
For more information, please contact the DP Coordinator at OIS.
DP Coordinator
Stephen Frater
DP Coordinator; DP Economics Teacher; G12 Homeroom Teacher; Director of Academic Affairs
The IB programme worldwide
As of December 2020, there were 7,232 programmes being offered worldwide, across 5,402 schools in 158 countries.
Universities accepting the IB Diploma
As of December 2020, there were over 3,000 different universities in over 90 countries accepting the IB Diploma credential for admission to undergraduate courses.
For the most recent information on university recognition of the DP, please click here.
Links for more information
- What is an IB education? (English)
- 国際バカロレア(IB)の教育とは? (日本語版)
- Learner Profile
Our learner profile and learning outcomes
