Engaging, Inquisitive, and Well-Rounded Education for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5
We proudly offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5. Our focus is on nurturing the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom.
Exploration, Curiosity, and Meaningful Learning
Through the PYP, students have exciting opportunities to explore themes that ignite their curiosity. These themes serve as a foundation for meaningful investigations, where students can ask relevant and interesting questions. By embracing their innate sense of wonder, students develop independent learning skills and critical thinking abilities.
Connecting Classroom Experiences to Real Life
We strive to create an environment where students truly enjoy learning and become curious about themselves and the world around them. Our goal is to help students make meaningful connections between their classroom experiences and real-life situations. By fostering this connection, we empower our students to become active and engaged learners.
Transdisciplinary Themes: A Holistic Approach
Our curriculum is organized around transdisciplinary themes, providing a holistic and integrated approach to education. These themes include:
- How we organize ourselves
- Who we are
- Where we are in a place and time
- How we express ourselves
- How the world works
- Sharing the Planet
Subject Focus and Well-Rounded Education
In addition to the transdisciplinary themes, we emphasize key subject areas to provide a well-rounded education. These subject focuses include:
- Arts
- Language
- Music
- Physical Health Education
PYP Exhibition: Empowering Students to Make a Difference
During the final year of the PYP, our Grade 5 students participate in a culminating experience known as the PYP Exhibition. This collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry process allows students to identify, investigate, and offer solutions to real-life issues or problems. It empowers them to apply their learning in a meaningful and impactful way.
Discover the transformative education offered at SJS. We invite you to explore our website, learn more about our engaging IB Primary Years Program, and schedule a visit to experience first-hand the enriching environment we provide. Together, let’s nurture a love for learning, foster curiosity, and empower your child to thrive as a lifelong inquirer.
Junior Kindergarten
Our Junior Kindergarten program is a full-day experience of exploration and discovery for students aged 4-5. Students are introduced to the IB Primary Years Program through their exposure to four units of inquiry. We offer a balance between concept and play-based learning that allows students to be introduced to a school setting in a safe and nurturing environment.
Highlights
- Small class size: 14 students in each class
- Two trained teachers providing a 7:1 student-teacher ratio
- Music and Physical Education Specialists
- Introduction to French and Mandarin Language learning
Kindergarten
Kindergarten at SJS is a full day program for students aged 5-6. Students explore six units of inquiry designed to stimulate their interests and curiosity. Our kindergarten students enjoy going on many adventures outside of the classroom—including field trips, gymnastics, and skating. The students also participate in school-wide events such as the Terry Fox Run and Jump Rope for Heart.
Highlights
- Integrated into Junior School but have supervised recess and lunch times
- Small class size: 16 students in each class
- Specialists in Music, PE, Languages, and Educational Support
- French and Mandarin languages taught
- Interesting and relevant curriculum field trips
Programme Highlights
Strong Community
Our PYP students know each other within the classroom, across the grade, within the Junior School and the Senior School. Each grade has two classes and these students and teachers work very closely together.
Daily Physical Fitness
All our students enjoy regular physical exercise through Physical Education classes and House events in one of our gyms or at nearby Connaught Park.
Diverse Co-Curricular Classes
Starting in Grade 1, students have access to an extensive range of creative, active and service-based activities from choir to basketball to student leadership, and so much more. These opportunities are diverse, inclusive, collaborative and fun.
Integrated Technology
Our Junior School students are provided a school iPad on a one to one basis. SJS students are engage with the latest programs, coding and educational apps. From our Grade 5s creating documentaries for their exhibition to our Grade 1s recreating and translating their own version of popular stories into French, technology is being used at every level, every day.
Inside-Outside Connection
Each grade experiences specific field trips, outdoor education experiences, language learning opportunities, service initiatives and classroom activities that directly connect to their classroom learning and interests.