BUENA PARK, CA – Buena Park School District’s Pendleton Elementary School has been named a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, which creates a foundation to nurture and develop young students into lifelong scholars.

The IB Primary Years Programme offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that promotes advanced learning opportunities in students ages three to 12. Pendleton School began its candidacy period on Nov. 16, and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School, offering challenging academic curriculum that will develop students’ conceptual understanding, agency and international mindedness.

The IB candidacy application was a joint effort between Pendleton School Principal Loriann Leota, Teacher on Special Assignment Esther Noh and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Michelle Centeno.

According to Centeno, being IB certified will provide additional layers of academic enrichment, critical thinking and independent learning for Pendleton School students. One of the major components of IB candidacy will be to boost foreign language teaching for in-depth intercultural learning. Languages under consideration for the program are Spanish and Korean.

“It is very exciting to be in charge of an IB Candidacy school during my first year in the District,” Leota said. “One of my priorities is to achieve growth and I am confident that the IB journey will help with that. Our team is incredibly dedicated and we all have such a vested interest in our community.”

Leota said her first objective for IB candidacy will focus on training the school’s staff members with assistance from teachers all over the world.

“Pendleton students will be active partners in their education, providing strong academic, social and emotional learning that is essential in a globalized, rapidly changing world,” Noh said.

Pendleton School, a pre-K to sixth-grade school, has received numerous awards for academic excellence over the years, including being named a California Gold Ribbon School in 2016 and a Silver PBIS Implementation Award in 2018.

“I am so proud to announce that Pendleton Elementary School has been named an IB Primary Years Programme candidate school,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “Pendleton School has a long history of achievement and becoming an IB school means more advanced learning opportunities for our students. There is nothing better than serving and improving our community.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

BUENAPARK_IB1: Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes and Principal Loriann Leota celebrate the announcement of Pendleton Elementary School becoming a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme.

BUENAPARK_IB2: (Left to right) Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Michelle Centeno, Chief Academic Officer Yvette Cantu, Principal Loriann Leota, Teacher on Special Assignment Esther Noh and Director of Educational Program Seri Hwang announce that Pendleton Elementary School has been named a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. IB promotes advanced academics for students, guiding them on becoming scholars.