ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SPAIN (IB)
Eurocolegio Casvi International Private School, in Villaviciosa de Odón, is a Elementary School in Spain close to many large cities in the south of the Community of Madrid. Among them, Mostoles, Alcorcon, Arroyomolinos, Navalcanero…
As a Primary School, our aim is the same as in the Kindergarten stage. Our objective, within the IB methodology implemented in our school, is clear. To continue preparing our students to reach the Diploma Programme (DP) of the International Baccalaureate. And to do so with every guarantee of success. Because of this, it will be easier for them to qualify for a university education with the best qualifications.
IB METHODOLOGY IN OUR KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SPAIN
The main one is to increase their capacity for inquiry both in the classroom and in their daily lives.
In furtherance of this objective, we are committed to developing the attributes of the IB profile.. Capabilities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. All of them involve a strong commitment to helping members of the school community to respect themselves. They are also to others and to the world around them. Because of this circumstance, Casvi Villaviciosa pupils will be inquirers, open-minded, informed and educated, thinkers, good communicators, upright, reflective, bold, caring and balanced.
But just as important is the development of all kinds of skills and abilities in a fully international environment, including autonomy and self-esteem. Always in an environment of love, respect and security. Because the most important thing is and always will be the social and emotional well-being of our pupils, helping them in their individuality and their particular process of maturation.
CASVI VILLAVICIOSA AND THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SPAIN
Based on the International Baccalaureate methodology implemented in all the stages of Casvi Villaviciosa, in our school we believe that one thing is fundamental. To create in students the routines and work habits necessary for their successful passage through Seconcary (MYP) and Baccalaureate (DP). Because of this, emphasis continues to be placed on the promotion of reading, speaking and writing.
Enquiry is the fundamental basis of meaningful learning for our students. Why? Because it makes it easier for them to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses. But not only that. This will help them to reach their maximum level in the learning process. A level that is also enduring (valuable outside the classroom and for life).
The fact that our students research and reflect on the knowledge they are acquiring allows them, in another way, to develop their critical and analytical skills.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SPAIN: FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING
Throughout this process and always within the IB PYP methodology, there are several factors that play a vitally important role within a Primary School in Spain:
Four languages are taught in the classrooms of Eurocolegio Casvi International Private School. These are English, Chinese, German and Spanish for foreign students. It takes place in small groups. With conversation classes taught by native teachers. Their high level enables them to take the Cambridge B1 exams.
From 5th grade onwards, students can participate in the first Language Exchange of their school life. It has a duration of two months. They are carried out with students from Tulsa (USA), from the Eisenhower International School.
We have implemented a technology career programme from Kindergarten to Baccalaureate. With it, children develop programming, content creation and publishing skills.
TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
New Technologies as an educational tool are a reality in the Primary School. iPad use is leading the way. In them from 5th grade Primary School onwards they have developed their textbooks prepared by the school’s teacher
DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
To this end, we have an Arts and Music project that goes beyond the application of the curriculum. In addition, they practice multiple sports both in and out of school hours. Swimming is included as a curricular subject, two days a week, from the first year of life.
BENEFITS OF CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING IN OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SPAIN
Through this type of constructivist learning, which is also interdisciplinary and, above all, highly conceptual, the main skills and abilities of our students are reinforced in some cases and discovered in others. These include musical, artistic, sporting, technological… It is necessary to find each child’s talent and encourage it.
EXHIBITION OF PYP (IB) PROJECTS
Thanks to the social and communication skills that our students at Casvi Villaviciosa work on throughout the whole PYP stage, together with the other attributes of the IB profile that they have acquired, our Primary School students will be able to do something very important. Carry out a culminating project of the PYP Programme. An exhibition of knowledge that takes place in 6th E. Primary front of the rest of the Casvi Educational Community. Exhibition that will prepare them for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SPAIN: ADVANTAGES OF IB METHODOLOGY OVER OTHERS
Pupils who study in IB schools with a Primary School, such as Casvi International School Villaviciosa, receive an exceptional education. They are encouraged to think critically and to solve complex problems. Because of this, the teacher is merely a guide in the learning process.
There is another advantage of the International Baccalaureate methodology, applied to a school. This is that this type of educational programme facilitates access to the most prestigious universities in the world.
Moreover, unlike pupils in other primary schools nearby with traditional methodologies, young people in the PYP are more aware of cultural differences through language learning, which facilitates their inclusion in the classroom. Because of this, they are able to relate to other people in an increasingly globalised and rapidly changing world.
OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL KEY TO THE AWARDS RECEIVED
The last few years have been full of educational successes for us. These include the award obtained at the XI El Suplemento Awards, the “European Business Quality Award”, and the BeActive Award from the Consejo Superior de Deportes, as the school with the most activities during the European Week of Sports.
Also, our inclusion among the “50 Best Schools” of the newspaper El Mundo. Among the “50 Outstanding Schools” of the digital newspaper El Español. In the Top 100 “Best Schools in Spain” of Forbes magazine.
However, we cannot forget that Casvi Villaviciosa has been included, once again, in the Ranking of the 100 Best IB Schools in Europe. The prestigious academic consultants “IB Educations Advisors LTD” have been the ones who have coincided this recognition.
