ᐅ Elementary School in Milan / PYP ᐅ International School of Milan

Primary Years Programme (PYP) at IS Milan

Our Primary School in Milan incorporates our Early Years Section (ages 2 to 6) and Elementary Section (ages 6 to 11). Our children’s Primary journey takes them from Pre-Kindergarten in the Early Years, through the Elementary Section, eventually reaching our Secondary School.

At our Primary School in Milan, we deliver the highly-regarded International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) , coupled with a co-curricular education that equips our young future leaders with the competencies needed to thrive in a fast-changing world. We are committed to helping children establish a strong foundation for outstanding outcomes by delivering an internationally-recognised course which actively fosters the highly sought-after attributes outlined in the IB Learner Profile.

As a result of their holistic, private education at our Primary School in Milan, our Primary years students develop independence, confidence, excellent communication abilities, discipline, and the dynamic study skills needed to become active learners and the leaders of tomorrow. They participate in inter-school activities and volunteering projects, refine their language skills, engage with a vast network of like-minded peers, and broaden their horizons beyond school with excellent opportunities to experience the cultures of other schools in our group that are based overseas.

Why study the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)?

Our Primary School in Milan is the longest-established provider of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the city, demonstrating an outstanding track record of helping students attain exceptional results and the personal qualities that will benefit them throughout their lives. Our teachers foster the ideal setting to develop language fluency via integrated tuition, and children gain excellent ongoing comprehensive pastoral support and one-to-one academic attention that empowers them emotionally, socially and academically from the moment they transition to the Elementary stage from our first-class Early Years or their previous school.

We offer numerous exciting co-curricular activities that unlock our students' talents in creative arts, academic and sporting pursuits. Across all grades, children enjoy access to cutting-edge resources and can pursue their hobbies at a regional and international level while attending the largest school campus in Milan. At all grades, children are encouraged to actively participate in our vibrant learning community by undertaking student leadership roles that offer an excellent avenue to cultivate teamwork and organisational skills that can pave the way for success.

Primary Years Programme (PYP) Curriculum

After progressing through our Early Years section, our students reach our Elementary School in Grade 2, from age 6 upwards. Our Elementary School aims to establish strong foundation skills in literacy and numeracy while developing students' subject knowledge and skills across the humanities, science, creative arts and PE curricula. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum framework centres on transdisciplinary learning as the curriculum organizer for students to experience learning between, across and beyond traditional subject boundaries.

The Elementary School timetable includes (but is not limited to) English, Italian, mathematics, science, social studies, music, art, drama, and physical education. Lessons are interactive, objective focused and engaging. To prepare children for success in future life, our students practise their research methods by familiarising themselves with primary and secondary sources of information. They also continue to develop a love of reading and may access a wide range of novels, non-fiction books, and cutting-edge computer programmes to enhance their understanding of the syllabus.

The PYP framework emphasises the central principle of agency. Agency comprises Voice, Choice, and Ownership. Our primary years students are empowered to use their initiative, demonstrate resilience, take ownership of their academic progress, and show responsibility for their learning. Student inquiry is an essential aspect of the curriculum and is guided by conceptual ideas connected to six transdisciplinary themes.

Elementary School Subjects

Elementary School aims to establish strong foundation skills in literacy and numeracy while developing students' subject knowledge across the humanities, STEM, art and PE curriculums. The Elementary School timetable includes - but is not limited to - music, art, drama, science, history, geography, English and mathematics, and lessons are interactive, objective focused and engaging. To prepare children for success in grade 8 and beyond, our students practice their research methods by familiarising themselves with primary and secondary sources of information. They also continue to develop a love of reading and may access a wide range of novels, non-fiction books, and cutting-edge computer programmes to enhance their understanding of the syllabus.

Language Tuition

We welcome students from all backgrounds, and most of our teachers speak both English and Italian. We are an English-speaking school and seek to develop fluency in reading, writing, and speaking as early as possible.

Upon joining the school, children who require additional language support will be allocated extra tuition. To supplement our Elementary School language courses, students may access private English and Italian lessons as part of the Co-Curricular Activities Programme.

Elementary School Teaching Team

Our Elementary students are welcomed into a warm, caring and diverse community where all students are appreciated and valued for their unique backgrounds. Our highly trained, professional and qualified teaching team deliver the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), a curriculum that supports every area of child development while instilling a lifelong passion for learning. At the heart of our primary programme is a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning. Continuous professional development is at the heart of our belief that everyone is a life-long learner and should embrace the challenge of developing their knowledge and skills.

Elementary School Italian Curriculum

We also encourage our Italian families to ensure that their children obtain the Diploma conclusivo del primo ciclo d’istruzione (“Licenza Media”) qualification and preparation for this is incorporated as an integral part of education at IS Milan. Our mother-tongue Italian programmes in Primary and early Secondary School lead towards this goal. We enable our Italian students to obtain idoneità at the end of Grade 6, in case they subsequently wish to qualify for entry into state secondary schools, before progressing onwards to the Esame conclusivo del primo ciclo in Grade 9.

Elementary School Facilities

At the Elementary School level, students require a dynamic, inviting and versatile environment to help them engage with the curriculum and their interests. The school has been uniquely designed and developed in response to its environment and the needs of a growing, broadly-skilled learning community. It is situated on an expansive, state-of-the-art campus complete with excellent academic, sports, leisure, and art facilities across a single site conveniently located close to local transport links.

Our Elementary School facilities host many daily indoor and outdoor activities that build our students' skills in science, music, drama, art, sports, and more. We are excited to welcome young learners into an attractive, welcoming, and functional environment that inspires them to explore the full extent of their talents and abilities.

Children access:

• Libraries
• Professional Science Laboratories
• Creative Arts Centres
• Music Studios
• A wide range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

Elementary School Trips & Excursions

The Primary Years syllabus incorporates trips, visits and workshops that complement the international programme. In addition to regular off-campus trips, one of the highlights of the primary school learning experience is the end-of-programme residential trip. Those who wish to participate in the residential excursion will spend time with their classmates and teachers in a European destination for up to 5 days.

Teachers and teaching assistants supervise the trip, and students are presented with a fun-filled itinerary packed with adventurous and rewarding activities, e.g. water sports, nature walks, craft workshops, and much more. Children who take part in the residential trip have a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the attributes outlined in the IB Learner Profile while bonding with their peers before preparing for the next phase of their education.

Elementary School Co-Curricular Activities Programme

To complement the core curriculum, our young learners are encouraged to explore their passions after regular school hours. After-school activities are led by dedicated specialists, teachers, and coaches who support children in their personal interests and instil the confidence they need to take on the world with their burgeoning talents. Our fun and fulfilling clubs are held after school and encourage children to explore their passions in a range of disciplines, fostering our students' individual talents in the arts, sports and academic pursuits.

Link to Co-Curricular page

Discover first-class, international Elementary School education in Milan, and learn how we can inspire your child to enjoy their learning and achieve their dreams.

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