Access and Admissions Policy

Graciela Garcia Elementary Access and Admissions Policy

Graciela Garcia Elementary is one of only two elementary schools in PSJA ISD authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. PYP is an approach to education which challenges each learner at his/her own level to become an internationally minded person. IB PYP focuses on the total growth of the developing child by offering an international, inquiry-based curriculum of themes that go across all subjects in the school. All students receive weekly second language instruction in Spanish. There is only one middle school in PSJA ISD that is also an IB world school. Our students unfortunately do not feed into this middle school and their IB education ends in 5^th grade, but our students leave our school very well prepared. They have learned from a young age, a variety of subjects, worked with curriculum is engaging and creative and emphasizes global, real-world contexts. Our IB Primary Years Programme students are taught important life skills and interpersonal skills and are prepared well in advance for higher grades. Our students are encouraged to ask questions, be curious and be confident and are taught how to learn. Since the IB program is recognized around the world for its achievement, the middle schools in our area battle for our students to attend their school. We are very proud of our IB PYP students.

There are no tests to gain admission, and no IQ or other requirements. PYP is for students and families who believe that education is a key to a successful life.

"The PYP aims to achieve a balance between the search for meaning and understanding and the acquisition of essential skills and knowledge." - Kevin Bartlett, PYP Originator from The Vienna International School

Reviewed 2-1-2022