Please read the information found here about the YIES 2018-2019 Enrollment Process. To apply for admission to YIES use the links below. 

Ypsilanti International Elementary School: 2018-19 Preschool Application

Ypsilanti International Elementary School: 2018-19 Kindergarten through 5th Grade Application 
 

WHY YIES?
We offer a variety of programs and activities for our students:

Pre-K through 12th Grade Continuum Model (PYP at YIES, MYP at WIMA, & DP at WIHI) for the International Baccalaureate Program.
World Language/Spanish Curriculum for students Preschool through Fifth Grade.
Art, Music, P.E., Outdoor Recess, Field Trips and Engaging Assemblies.
Kids Clubs (Before and After School Spanish, Arts, Sports, and Academics Enrichment).
YMCA-Ann Arbor Before and After School child care onsite.
Special Education and Intervention Programs (Speech & Language, Social Work, Academic Support, OT, & PT).

Vision

• Ypsilanti International Elementary School facilitates the development of lifelong learners who:
• Are creative problem solvers with a broad perspective of the world around them
• Are respectful, moral individuals who take pride in their national heritage
• Are equipped to participate in the community as team players and effective leaders

Mission

The mission of Ypsilanti International Elementary School is to strive to create a peaceful world by empowering students to be compassionate, innovative and reflective lifelong learners.  We are a community that promotes, respects and values cultural diversity and open-mindedness.  Through exemplary International Baccalaureate instruction we ensure that every YIES student becomes a culturally literate, inquirer and knowledgeable citizen.  

Purpose Statement

At YIES we are committed to creating lifelong learners who are open-minded, caring, and responsible members of a global society.  Understanding that every student is unique, we offer diverse opportunities in academics to cultivate students who are inquiring and knowledgeable thinkers.  We demonstrate our passion for education through high expectations for our staff and students.  

Our purpose is to create a safe and caring community where ALL students can grow socially, emotionally and academically.  We work as a village of parents, teachers, students and community members to produce successful citizens.   

Curriculum and Subjects at YIES:

The IB PYP is a curriculum framework, which is an organized set of standards or learning outcomes that define the content to be learned and taught. This program develops the youngest students to be inquisitive, thoughtful learners.  International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes aim to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.
 

Beginning in preschool at YIES students benefit from a well-planned and individualized instruction in all core subjects:

• Math

• Language

• Spanish

• Social Studies

• Visual Arts

• Science

• Music

• Technology

• and Physical Education

What is Inquiry-Based Learning?

The direct instruction approach used by IB PYP is Inquiry-based Learning.  Inquiry-based Learning is a process where students are involved in their learning, formulate questions, investigate widely and then build new understandings, meanings and knowledge.
 

What does a PYP classroom look like?

• A PYP classroom is organized to encourage students to become internationally-minded learners. Displayed items are interactive for students (consider eye level placement) and reflect a PYP approach to learning that permeates the classroom.

• The classroom is kid-friendly, engaging, and orderly. Everything posted has a clearly defined purpose relating to student learning.

• Classroom setup allows students to move easily between small group, whole group and individual learning activities.

What does the IB require of Schools and Teachers?

• A global perspective to content

• The implementation of the Learner Profile (describes the attributes of an internationally-minded person)

• Planning time for teachers at the same grade level AND different grade levels to write and reflect on their work

• Interdisciplinary units (units that include content from more than one subject area)

• Extensive training for ALL staff involved in the PYP Programme

• The involvement of the parent community in supporting the programme

What does the research say?

• Research suggests that using inquiry-based learning with students can help them become more creative, more positive and more independent (Kuhne, 1995).

• This is true for all students, including those with special needs who require more individual attention during the process.

• Other academic research shows that inquiry-based learning improves student achievement (GLEF, 2001).