Primary Years Program

Specifically designed for students aged 3-12, the Primary Years Program (PYP) seeks to enhance students’ thinking skills and deepen their understanding of themselves, the environment and the changing world. Throughout their PYP journey, students learn through inquiry and reflection and develop a sense of initiative to take responsibility and ownership of their learning.

The vast majority of learning in the Elementary School takes place in the home classroom and is complemented by specialist subject classes (including music, physical education, art and drama).

Transdisciplinary themes

The FIS PYP curriculum centers around six consistent transdisciplinary themes. Each year, students will explore these six themes through various units of inquiry, which become more wide-ranging and challenging as they progress through the program. In Grades 1-5, students generally complete six units of inquiry each year - one under each transdisciplinary theme. Early Years students generally complete four units of inquiry.

These themes are:

Subject Overview

Within each transdisciplinary theme, central ideas are explored through units (called "Units of Inquiry"). Through these units, teachers integrate the following subjects:

The various units of inquiry are organized into a Program of Inquiry for each grade level. 

PYP Exhibition

In their final year of the PYP program, FIS students have the opportunity to apply and showcase the critical thinking and inquiry skills they have acquired throughout their PYP journey through the PYP Exhibition. Under the guidance of teachers and mentors, Grade 5 students carry out an extended collaborative inquiry into a real-life issue they are passionate about. The PYP Exhibition serves as a great foundation for the Personal Project (completed in Grade 10 as part of the MYP) and involves group collaboration, inquiry, social action, and a presentation to an audience.