School Profile

• Who we are
• Where we are in place and time
• How we express ourselves
• How the world works
• How we organize ourselves
• Sharing the planet

The six transdisciplinary themes help teachers to develop a programme of inquiries–in-depth investigations into important ideas, identified by the teachers, and requiring a high level of involvement on the part of the students. These inquiries are substantial, in-depth and usually last for several weeks.  Assessment is an important part of each unit of inquiry as it both enhances learning and provides opportunities for students to reflect on what they know, understand and can do. The teacher's feedback to the students provides the guidance, the tools and the incentive for them to become more competent, more skillful and better at understanding how to learn.

Any school wishing to offer the Primary Years Programme and attain IB World School status must first go through the authorization process. The requirements for authorization are the same for all schools, even though the process is administered slightly differently in each IB region. The process is designed to ensure schools are well prepared to implement the programme successfully.

 This is a challenging programme that demands the best from both motivated students and teachers. Schools can access an extensive package of IB professional development for teachers and administrators and commit to ongoing professional development. Teams from the organization visit IB World Schools from time to time in order to support an ongoing process of review and development, using standards and practices that apply to all IB World Schools.

One goal in Special Education is to help students learn in regular classroom settings, which is called mainstreaming.  An RSP might be set up so that teachers or resource specialists work with students in their mainstreamed classrooms. Especially if many students in a particular classroom require assistance, the RSP might focus on the teacher or resource specialist going to a class and assisting at certain designated points during the day, such as the times devoted to acquiring language or math skills.

The needs of each student are often designated by Individual Education Plans (IEPs). In some cases students might benefit from “pull-out” time. In these cases, students visit an RSP classroom for part of the day, possibly every day or several times a week, to work on basic skills.

An RSP can change yearly to adapt to the changing needs of students who require assistance. One important aspect of any RSP is continued assessment of a student’s ability to meet IEP goals. When IEP meetings are convened each year, benchmark goals are set. The RSP teacher must be able to target his or her teaching methods toward helping each student achieve individual goals. When goals are not achieved, more testing might be required to better define the specifics of a student’s learning challenges.

All of our students receive 50 minutes a week of Music. Each student has the option to either take part in a choir, play a band instrument, or play a string instrument. Music is taught by a credential teacher that specialize in music.

Band, and Violins: All of our middle school students are offered Band which is taught by Mr. Richard Schermer at Ybarra Academy as a daily elective class.

After-school enrichment classes: Various fee based after-school enrichment classes are offered to parents during the school year such as Theater, Mad Science, Young Rembrandts and Chess Masters.

Sports Program: After-school sports are offered to 5th through 8th grade students. Students learn the skills and rules necessary to play soccer, basketball, softball and volleyball. Teams play against neighboring intermediate and elementary schools within Rowland Unified. Teachers serve as coaches for the different boys and girls sports.

Cheer and Dance squad: Cheer and Dance Squad is offered to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Ybarra Academy. The squad learns routines from two Rowland High School volunteers. The squad is supervised by two teachers. They cheer at school sporting events and other school activities.

Drama Club: The Drama Club meets after school and is open to all 7th and 8th grade students. Students learn about theatre and practice acting techniques. It is coordinated by a teacher.