Mullen Elementary is excited to announce that after completing our candidacy for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP), we have been authorized to provide the PYP to students in PreK- 5th grade! Since the fall of 2018 Mullen faculty and staff have been working towards completing the IB World School application process which is rigorous and takes at least two years. In September 2020, IB conducted a two-day, virtual authorization visit to determine that the required IB standards and practices were in place, and to gather more information on the program and its effect on the community. The IB staff reviewed the school's application documentation, observed instruction in classrooms, and met with Mullen teachers, faculty, parents, students, and central office staff. The documentation gathered was reviewed by the IB and was found to meet the required IB standards and practices. Mullen Elementary is excited to offer a program that focuses on teaching students to think critically and independently, as well as how to develop critical and analytical thinking and an appreciation of global issues.

 Join us on our Parent Interest Night

Thursday, October 26 at 6:00 in the library.

Thursday, January 18 at 6:00 in the library.

Mullen Elementary School is one of five IBPYP programs offered in Prince William County.

* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.


What is the Primary Years Programme?
The primary years programme is a program for learners aged up to 12 years offered under the sponsorship of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

Who may participate in the Primary Years Programmes?
Students who attend one of the designated schools are included in the program in that school. Students may also transfer to one of the designated elementary schools for the program.

What subjects does a student study in the Primary Years Programme?
As in all Prince William County Public Schools, students will follow the Standards of Learning of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the PWCS curriculum. Students study the following subject areas in the Primary Years Programme:
*Language: Language Arts and Foreign Language
*Social Studies
*Mathematics
*Science and Technology
*Arts
*Personal, Social, and Physical Education

What other IB Programmes are offered in PWCS?
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) serves students in grades 6-10. The programme is offered at Hampton MS, Beville MS, and Unity Braxton MS. As well as Gar-Field HS and Unity Reed Jackson HS. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program serves students in grades 11-12 and is offered at Gar-Field HS and Unity Reed HS. The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme is designed for students aged 16-19. This programme is also offered at Gar-Field HS and Unity Reed HS.

How are all Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme similar?
The three programs, IBPYP, IBMYP, and IB Diploma Programme develop student learning in specific subject areas. All three programmes also have themes or concepts that help students connect ideas across subject areas. Finally, all three programs involve student terms of student responsibility to themselves and their communities indicated in the IB Learner Profile.

Check out the videos and articles below for more information about the PYP.

Videos
Overview-IB Primary Years Programme
What Does Inquiry in the PYP Look Like?
Let's Talk About PYP
What Does it Mean to be an Inquiry Teacher?
Parent's Perspective about the International Baccalaureate

Articles
What is International Baccalaureate?
Parents: Why We Chose an IB World School