This spring, La Scuola International School had the pleasure of welcoming the International Baccalaureate (IB) evaluation team for a joint review of our Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP). These visits, which take place every five years, are an opportunity to pause, reflect on our journey, and look ahead.
We’re proud to share that the team’s feedback affirmed what we hold at the heart of our school: a learning community that is joyful, inclusive, and grounded in the values of multilingualism, the Reggio Emilia approach, and the IB mission.
Bringing Our Mission to Life, Every Day
From the first moment on campus, the visiting team noted something special: our school doesn’t just talk about purpose, inclusion, and global citizenship—we live it. They praised how we’ve harmonized our foundational philosophies into one clear, joyful purpose for learning, and how that vision is reflected in every corner of our campuses. They saw students actively engaged, teachers collaborating with intention, and a community that works together to support every learner.
The team highlighted how our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is visible in both our strategic planning and our practices. From our school-wide agreements (rispetto, empatia, responsabilità, collaborazione) to classroom discussions, students demonstrate a strong understanding of the IB learner profile application to real life. They were especially inspired by how these values are embedded in our curriculum, our strategic planning, and in how our community supports every student and family.
Learning Environments That Spark Curiosity
One of the things the evaluators appreciated most was how thoughtfully our learning environments are designed. Designed in collaboration with the Reggio Emilia architect Michele Zini, our spaces truly act as a “third teacher,” nurturing creativity, connection, and curiosity. Our classrooms and common areas are crafted to be flexible, organic, and calming—spaces that invite our students to explore, reflect and create.
The team also highlighted our strong community partnerships—from the Italian Consulate to SMART—which bring real-world relevance and cultural depth to our programmes. These collaborations support our students and strengthen the learning that goes beyond the classroom.
Empowered Learners, Inspired Educators
The evaluators saw what we already know: our students are confident, curious, and empowered learners. Across PYP and MYP, they take ownership of their education, engage in self- and peer assessment, and develop the skills they’ll need for high school and beyond. Whether through service projects, advisory groups, or day-to-day inquiry, students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions and seek thoughtful answers.
Teachers were celebrated for creating dynamic, inquiry-driven learning experiences and for fostering collaborative, respectful classroom cultures. Our mentorship programs, professional development around DEIB, and commitment to teacher growth were all noted as strengths.
Looking Ahead With Purpose
Like all meaningful evaluations, this visit also pointed to areas for future growth—particularly in our MYP, where we’re formalizing interdisciplinary units. The feedback encouraged us to keep investing in structures that support collaboration, teacher wellness, and multilingual family engagement. We’re already making strides in these areas and look forward to deepening this work in the years ahead.
A Moment of Pride – And Momentum
In their concluding remarks, the IB team shared that La Scuola “demonstrates exceptional commitment to educational innovation” and applauded our integration of Reggio Emilia, IB, and multilingualism as the mind, heart, and soul of our school.
As we look to the future—with our Mission campus expansion underway and the California International Reggio Center taking shape—we do so with renewed clarity and joy. We’re proud of what we’ve built, humbled by the journey, and excited for what’s next.
We’re thankful to our students, families, faculty, and community partners for making this visit—and every day at La Scuola—so special. This moment of recognition belongs to all of us. Grazie di cuore!
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