About Us
Ypsilanti International Elementary School (YIES): Ypsilanti International Elementary School (YIES) is a K-5 International Baccalaureate (IB) school that emphasizes inquiry-based learning in a hands-on environment. YIES offers an integrated curriculum, motivating students to reach their highest potential and become productive global citizens. Enrollment requires an application and may involve a lottery.
Admissions Process 2025-26
*Before enrolling, click here for age eligibility guidelines for your student: YCS Kindergarten Age Eligibility Guidelines
Click to download the PDF of the 2025-26 Admissions Process
WHY YIES?
We offer a variety of programs and activities for our students:
K through 12th grade continuum option for the International Baccalaureate Program (PYP at YIES, MYP at WIMA, & DP at WIHI, with Ypsilanti Community Middle and High Schools developing MYP and DP programs.).
World Language/Spanish Curriculum for students Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.
Science, Art, Music, P.E., Outdoor Recess, Field Trips and Engaging Assemblies.
Kids Clubs (Science Oympiad, Lego League, Girls on the Run, and more).
YMCA-Ann Arbor Before and After School child care offsite with bussing to YIES.
Special Education and Intervention Programs (Speech & Language, Social Work, Academic Support, OT, & PT).
Core Values
Two essential concepts support Core Values and Beliefs: the Learner Profile and the IB Attitudes.
The IB-PYP Attitudes are a vital focus in the development of positive attitudes towards people, the environment, and learning. These are the core values ascribed in the day to day IB attitudes we use:
- Appreciation
- Commitment
- Confidence
- Cooperation
- Creativity
- Curiosity
- Empathy
- Enthusiasm
- Independence
- Integrity
- Respect
- Tolerance
Core Beliefs
YIES believes that learning is an endless journey and focuses on making students lifelong learners. Students are engaged meaningfully to develop thinking, research, communication, social and self management skills to build themselves as independent learners.
- Inquirers
- Knowledgeable
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Principled
- Open-Minded
- Caring
- Risk-Takers
- Balanced
- Reflective
Curriculum
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).
