Primary Years Program (PYP)

PYP focuses on the development of the whole child, both within the classroom and the world outside. It provides a framework that supports a child’s academic, social, emotional, physical, and cultural needs. The program promotes teaching children through hands-on projects and research skills that are founded on the concept of structured inquiry.  In addition, the PYP provides students with an international perspective that helps them to relate their local world to a larger global community.

The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child and strives to help children develop and international perspective.

The PYP identifies six subject areas: Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and Technology, Arts, Personal, Social and Physical Education, and Language. Students have the opportunity to study a second language by age 7.

A key element of PYP is the creation of a program of inquiry and development of units of inquiry.  These units are created per classroom but with alignment both horizontally, within the same grade, as well as vertically, across the K-5 grades, to insure the success of the student program for their entire experience at HMS.

The PYP builds children’s self-esteem by encouraging them to ask questions that drive the inquiry. Therefore, they become more independent and responsible for their own learning.

By developing individual talents and setting high academic standards, PYP students become responsible citizens, thinkers, and international life-long learners who respect the culture and attitude of others. The development of explicit attitudes and the expectation of socially responsible behavior are also essential elements of the program.