Did you know that Mackintosh Academy – Boulder and Littleton are the only schools in Colorado with an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme? Sounds great! But…why does this matter for my child’s education from kindergarten to 8th grade? And what really happens after I drop my child off at school?!  

Simply put, the IB program is a mindset for learning that echoes our mission statement of “Keen Minds, Compassionate Hearts, Global Action.” Every day at an IB school is an opportunity for kids to question and engage with their

world and community, and use their skills in real life contexts. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP K-5th) and Middle Years Programmes (PYP and MYP) encourage students to develop into caring, globally minded citizens who are both critical thinkers and complex problem solvers. IB is an inquiry based approach that nurtures student curiosity and fosters connections, so students understand that many issues in the world are complex and interconnected. Each unit is a lens through which students look at the world. Mack kids learn by thinking broadly and searching for connections across time and space: How do modern-day communities in Antarctica relate to 17th-century American colonization? This concept-based approach helps students develop a deeper understanding that can be transferred to new situations: How can we apply what we know about the formation of communities to designing a colony on Mars?

Learning is loud…and sometimes (ok, pretty often) messy! In an IB classroom, you’ll see and hear students deeply engaged in hands-on, project based learning. In Middle School Language & Literature, for example, students write about what matters to them while studying different genres of writing. One student may be writing an editorial about the ethics of animal testing while another small group records a podcast debate on the topic of teen cell phone use. On the same day, second graders construct outfits in the Design Lab for a biomimicry fashion show while fifth graders pitch product ideas to local investors. These experiences provide opportunities for students to deeply apply what they’ve learned and develop important real-world academic and social skills such as research, collaboration, communication, and self management.

Students learn best when exploring what matters to them. Our teachers are guides that take that curiosity to the next level. Mack teachers spend a significant time each week reflecting on lessons and units. “What do we want to do more of, do less of, or do better?” are simple yet powerful questions that drive our curriculum. Teaching at a small K-8 school leads to agility and flexibility in what we teach. Teachers are able to bounce ideas off each other, collaborate across grade levels, and ensure that our curriculum is responsive to current events and the latest research in education.

Service is at the heart of IB. Knowledge without action can leave students feeling powerless to affect change in both their local and global communities. Through our IB program, students regularly reflect on their learning and then plan ways they will take action with their new knowledge. Our students care about making a difference, whether that’s building a “garbage truck” with friends and cleaning up the playground, or writing grants for local organizations like FISH Broomfield. Other student actions have taken many forms, such as volunteer work, student-planned community fundraisers (see 8th grader Sebastian’s GoFundMe to help Denver’s homeless population fight COVID-19), art auctions, and student-organized clubs. Through these actions, Mack has partnered with many local and regional organizations, including Community Foodshare, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, There with Care, and Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.

The benefits of a seamless transition from elementary to middle school cannot be understated. Take it from me: when I made the transition from teaching PYP to MYP, all of the pieces came together. Academically, our students are accustomed to the structure of IB units and other routines that drive our learning. Socially and emotionally, students thrive because they already know and feel comfortable with their teachers, and are able to build on their existing class community. In both the PYP and MYP program, students participate in a capstone project designed to reflect the skills, concepts, and traits they have developed throughout the program. Mack middle schoolers feel secure and confident heading into our middle school experience, and look forward to the traditions and units that they know await them.

Want to know more about our IB? Reach out to Mack Admissions.