Os diferenciais da Escola Internacional de Alphaville

Tudo começa com o propósito

Nosso propósito é promover o desenvolvimento de crianças e jovens para que se tornem cidadãos do mundo e contribuam para um mundo melhor. Esse é o principal direcionamento para tudo o que fazemos desde a fundação (link para “história”), em 2010. Não queremos transmitir conteúdos para que as crianças decorem, o que nos interessa é o aprendizado com significado em um contexto amoroso e acolhedor. A estrutura do nosso campus (link para “Campus”) e nosso time (link para Lauda “Time”) estão totalmente alinhados a essas premissas.

Constantemente revisamos nosso propósito e buscamos maneiras de lapidá-los e transmiti-lo com eficiência para nossa equipe participando da Metanóia, uma organização que reúne empresas brasileiras com foco em desenvolver uma cultura de excelência em suas empresas.

São várias as características que diferenciam a Escola Internacional de Alphaville:

Competências para o século XXI

Queremos proporcionar ao seu filho todas as condições necessárias para que ele desenvolva as competências necessárias para os desafios do século XXI e suas transformações velozes. A preparação para essas transformações passa pelo entendimento real dos conteúdos. Não basta decorá-los para uma avaliação final, é preciso compreendê-los profundamente, ter autoconhecimento e saber se relacionar com próximo.

Interdisciplinary Learning in Action: The Science of Waveforms

You may be wondering what interdisciplinary learning looks like in the classroom. You can see a great example of it in action in our 6th grade unit on the science of sound waves. During this unit, our students explored sound through the framework of three different subjects: Science, Music and Design. They considered how different instruments make different sounds in Music class and then how sound vibrations transfer energy through the air to vibrate ear drums in Science class. The design challenge was to synthesize their knowledge and understanding from the two subjects to create a simple instrument that could change pitch.

Another strength of the academic program in our Upper School is that teaching extends far beyond the content and concepts in a given subject area. We invest time to integrate the teaching of key skills that help our students become better learners as well as better people. The IB MYP Program calls these Approaches to Learning (ATLs) and they include critical-thinking, reflection, organization, collaboration, affective, information literacy, communication, transfer, creative thinking and media literacy skills. ATLs facilitate student learning in a variety of areas such as how they manage time and tasks effectively, how they work with others, how they manage their state of mind and how they use language to communicate. These ATLs also help students become more aware of the learning process and understand their strengths and challenges as learners.

In addition to the core academic classes of the MYP, your child will benefit greatly from our Life Skills program where they are provided time once a week to discuss topics relevant to navigating adolescence. We value the development of the whole child and want to ensure that students lead balanced lives in and out of school, so students are provided time to learn about the importance of healthy relationships and personal wellness.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning at Whitby. The word assessment stems from the latin word "assidere" which means "to sit beside." We view assessment as an opportunity "to sit beside" your child to help them understand where they are at in their progression of learning.

The use of rubrics is one way we help students assess themselves as learners. Rubrics are also used to guide teachers in their planning for learning engagements in addition to formal assessments. Students are provided rubrics at the beginning of each unit or ahead of each assessment so they're aware of what they're working towards and what "good" should look like. With this knowledge and understanding, they're empowered to achieve their goals.

Academics

In Grades 5-8, Whitby students fully embrace an academically rigorous IB curriculum called the Middle Years Program (MYP) which includes Science, Mathematics, Design, Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, Spanish, Physical and Health Education, Theater, Music and Visual Arts. Our Upper School provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to explore real-world concepts and issues, challenge assumptions, think critically and acquire skills that they will need to apply throughout their educational and future professional journeys.

The strength of our program stems from the belief that learning is more meaningful when students are provided opportunities to explore concepts through the lens of different subject areas. This is called interdisciplinary learning and it is a hallmark of our approach. It is also the key to teasing out our students' innate creativity by providing them multiple avenues to approach problem-solving. We teach for understanding of real life concepts rather than the simple regurgitation of knowledge.

Cocurriculars

We know that learning is more meaningful when students can make connections across subject areas so we've structured our cocurricular classes to complement the programming of our academic day. We also recognize that camaraderie and being part of a team are both important parts of a middle schooler's life so we've purposely designed this program in a way that celebrates students’ diverse interests and encourages new friendships.

Each trimester, your child will be required to choose from a selection of interscholastic team sports that meet twice a week while having the freedom to participate in classes such as Musical Theater , Art Installation, Art Studio, Band, Math Counts, Model UN or Geneaology for the remaining three days of the week.

Each of these activities are enriching experiences that bring real-life meaning to their learning, and are a great opportunity for our students to explore new interests or develop existing ones.

The best part of our cocurricular program is that our teachers are the instructors. This is a huge win for the students because it helps them feel more comfortable as they take risks in new areas. It also provides teachers an opportunity to see students in a different context outside the classroom. Our athletics and cocurricular offerings reflect our commitment to whole child development and are another vehicle used to help students develop a passion for learning.

Cocurriculars

Each of these activities are enriching experiences that bring real-life meaning to their learning, and are a great opportunity for our students to explore new interests or develop existing ones.

Upper School Highlights

Our Upper School curriculum is built on the highly-regarded International Baccalaureate's Middle Years Program which provides the underlying structure of themes and concepts for teaching and learning.
Community Service at Whitby provides your child real-world experience through mentoring younger students in the Primary Buddies Program as well as volunteering their time both locally and abroad at orphanages, schools, clinics, community centers and nursing homes. Teachers are always seeking opportunities to connect service learning with units.
4 teachers, 4 days a week with 4 levels of language learning proficiency means your child will learn Spanish well enough to engage with native speakers during their service trip to a Spanish speaking country in 7th and 8th grade.
Our "hands-on minds-on" approach to Math instruction takes complex math concepts and applies them to real-world situations to increase engagement and help students find joy in problem solving.
If your child is outgoing then they'll love our popular Student Ambassador Program where they'll give tours to prospective parents and students who visit the school.

Students learn to be self-advocates in our Advisory Program where they're matched with "best-fit" teachers who know them well enough to provide meaningful support in learning to solve their own problems.
Our graduates are successful in high school because our Secondary School Counseling Program excels at preparing them for the application process and our students shine in their interviews because they know themselves so well as both learners and individuals.
From collaboration in musical theater and art installation to Math Counts and Outdoor Club, we offer so many impressive cocurricular classes that your child will be challenged to choose between them.
In the same way that our curriculum supports students in making connections across the subject areas, our use of technology supports them in making these connections come alive. Our 1:1 laptop program is complemented with ongoing conversations on Digital Citizenship for both students and parents.
Student-Parent-Teacher conferences provide your child an opportunity to show how they know themselves as a learner as they take you through their successes and challenges.

Cocurriculars

Each of these activities are enriching experiences that bring real-life meaning to their learning, and are a great opportunity for our students to explore new interests or develop existing ones.

Cocurriculars

Each of these activities are enriching experiences that bring real-life meaning to their learning, and are a great opportunity for our students to explore new interests or develop existing ones.

Does Whitby have a Community Service Program?

Whitby’s comprehensive Upper School Community Service program aims to expand students’ view of themselves and the world, develop empathy, humility and leadership skills, and come to understand that through their individual actions they can positively impact the lives of others.

Por que a Escola?

Welcome to Upper School

Grades 5 - 8

Tudo começa com o propósito

Competências para o século XXI

Interdisciplinary Learning in Action: The Science of Waveforms

Assessment

Academics

Cocurriculars

Cocurriculars

Upper School Highlights

Cocurriculars

“Our learning is centered around big concepts that inspire thought and action with a focus on intellectual, emotional and social growth.”

Jacquie Quigley

DIRECTOR OF UPPER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS & SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSELING

Cocurriculars

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Whitby have a Community Service Program?

Does Whitby have a Community Service Program?