The PYP, a Program for ALL Students
by Barbara Horton, IB coordinator, DLH Academy, Milwaukee, WI, USA

The founders of the Darrell Lynn College Preparatory Academy of Excellence (DLH Academy) envisioned the development of an urban academy with a mission to provide an excellent college preparatory education for under-represented children and families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  To this end, DLH Academy opened its doors in September 1999 with 109 K-2 students, mainly from underserved communities.  After much research and investigation, the decision was made to implement the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme (PYP).

The opening of the school was a tremendous accomplishment. The community banded together around the idea that the academy would serve to strengthen the local community and provide families with high-quality educational services.  In February 2004, four years of hard work and dedication were recognized when DLH Academy received the news that the school had been granted PYP authorization--a first for the state of Wisconsin.  The announcement brought cheers, tears and complete excitement.  The thrill of the accomplishment will be indelibly etched in our minds as we continue with the ongoing development of the PYP. 

Why is the PYP so important to our school and why did we choose to implement the programme that is often mistakenly identified as "elitist" and "just for gifted students"?  From the beginning, access for ALL students was a non-negotiable issue.  Far too often, we had seen children from underserved communities excluded from quality magnet programs, and we know how this type of exclusionary practice tends to produce achievement gaps for children.  One of our school's core beliefs is that all students have gifts and talents and that they all can learn at high levels.  It is our responsibility as educators to find ways to motivate, inspire and teach all students in ways that they can best learn. 

The PYP philosophies and practices have served to assist us with this endeavor.  As we have moved forward with the PYP, we have seen first hand how it engenders excitement and excellence in our students.  The programme's focus on the PYP profile, student inquiry, transdisciplinary curriculum, internationalism, assessment, conceptual understanding, attitudes, skills and action has provided a powerful framework for teaching and learning at the academy.  Every child, regardless of social-economic status, race, gender or learning style has shown a positive response to the PYP.  It is our strong belief that the PYP is the only way to provide equity and excellence for all students.  With the PYP firmly in place, no child will be left behind at DLH Academy. 

Our success is evident at the start of the new 2004-05 school year: the academy has enrolled 240 K-7 students.  Since DLH Academy's opening in 1999, it has experienced steady growth in enrollment as well as academic achievement.  Our faculty, students, parents and administrative staff are fortunate to have the opportunity to experience all that the PYP offers.  We look forward to another successful year and to our affiliation with the IB for years to come.
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