LVA’s Academic Program

Lehigh Valley Academy learning communities for elementary school, middle school, and high school were constructed through the application of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) programs and philosophies. IB programs are student-focused and are "designed to develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world."  (www.ibo.org) Presently, there are 2,628 IB schools and just over 715,000 IB students world-wide.  

LVA is unique in that it is one of 13 schools in the United States that offers all three IB programs: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme.

The Primary Years Programme (PYP, grades K-5) focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.

The Middle Years Programme (MYP, grades 6-10) provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills through embracing and transcending traditional school subjects.

The Diploma Programme (DP, grades 11-12) is a demanding two-year curriculum that meets the needs of highly motivated students, and leads to a qualification that is recognized by leading universities around the world. (programme descriptions courtesy of the IB website).

An LVA education offers more than the standards -

At LVA, students learn the concepts required by the Pennsylvania State Standards through the methodology of the International Baccalaureate. As in other public schools, students participate in PSSA testing and the school is held to the requirements set by No Child Left Behind. However, these traditional elements are just part of the LVA's IB program. LVA's K-12 continuum of the IB curriculum guides students to become learners who are:  Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

Click here for access to a short video about the IB Learner Profile.

Click here to Visit the International Baccalaureate Website