About Whittier International Elementary School
Welcome to Whittier!  At Whittier, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is coupled with rich arts programming for all students. Whittier's prestigious IB PYP is a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning through which students become inquirers, critical thinkers and communicators. At Whittier, students begin the study of Spanish as a world language and culture.
 
IB-PYP explores six themes within the International Baccalaureate framework: Who We Are, Where We Are In Place And Time, How We Express Ourselves, How The World Works, How We Organize Ourselves and Sharing The Planet.  This framework incorporates literacy; social studies; mathematics; science and technology; the arts; personal, social and physical education. The IB-PYP model instills students with an international perspective that nurtures students to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced, and reflective.
 

WE OFFER: All-day Kindergarten •  IB Primary Years Programme • MacPhail piano and violin lessons • arts integration • English Language Learner Program • Spanish heritage programming • World Language: Spanish • Resource and self-contained Special Education support • On-site counseling services • Parent-involved leadership • Before and after-school programs • Minneapolis Kids *PlayWorks

 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Educational learning environment where the arts are aligned to support units of inquiry within the IB PYP curriculum
  • IB PYP model develops the individual talents of young people and helps them relate experiences inside the classroom to the realities of the world outside the classroom
  • School-wide PYP End of Unit celebrations
  • Fifth graders present a final exhibition illustrating their learning as IB students
  • Arts integration providing a variety of ways to learn and supports academic achievement through theater, language arts, social studies, music and math
  • Grades 3-5 MacPhail small group piano and violin lessons
  • Grades K-2  MacPhail music internship program
  • International spring carnival
  • Active PTA, family curriculum night and a host of parent and community member volunteers
  • Daily baby grand piano performance in school's atrium before and after school sponsored by Plymouth Congregational Church
EXTENDED-DAY ACTIVITIES: Monday through Thursday Community Education classes (wide variety of classes), JumpStart, Target Mentors program, Homework and Hoops through our partnership with Bethlehem Community Center.