Why Brown Is Where You Want To Be
Espanol
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The World is Our Classroom
The world is full of learning opportunities. Every day our children discover something new – even in their own backyards. Children have a natural eagerness to explore and understand, and at Brown International Academy, we bring that excitement into a school environment. By encouraging children to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens, we hope to foster the growth of internationally minded people and create positive attitudes. Thank you for joining us in the quest toward a cooperative, peaceful worldwide community!
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Our Mission Statement
Brown’s mission is to empower learners by encouraging them to question, wonder, risk, care and act in the global community.
About International Baccalaureate (IB)
We are achieving our mission through the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Primary Years Programme. This is a program designed for children aged three to 12 that focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside. [Note that Brown's ECE program starts at age four.]
As an IB candidate school, Brown is a part of an international organization that offers high quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools. IB's three programs for ECE through high school students help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Brown students are among the more than 567,000 IB students at 2,123 schools in 125 countries.
Brief History
Although Brown opened its doors in 1952, the school has only recently begun the process of becoming an IB school through an intensive certification process. When Brown was selected for revitalization 2003, a committee of teachers, parents and community members researched several different curricular programs, and ultimately chose the IB Primary Years Programme. Today, a stroll through our natural light-infused building and art-filled hallways is a reminder that there is always something fresh and innovative happening at Brown.
Brown’s Leadership
Suzanne Loughran, an award-winning principal with a track record for heading successful public school programs in the Cherry Creek School District, came on board as Brown’s principal in 2005. Helping her to achieve the mission with their commitment and enthusiasm are Sally Whitelock, assistant principal and school psychologist, and Joe Ortega, Brown’s beloved, award-winning school nurse. Their zeal for helping kids succeed, combined with a staff dedicated to making school a fun and engaging place for students every day, are the source of the energy you’ll see and feel at Brown.
School Highlights
Brown approaches primary education with a comprehensive learning philosophy that has many important aspects. We feel that children benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes academic achievement and intercultural understanding. Equipped with this background, they can become successful, caring and contributing world citizens.
Academic framework: Brown makes deliberate, research-based curriculum choices to ensure that all students receive instruction aligned with their needs and abilities. Our guaranteed and viable curriculum includes the Writing Alive program, Open Court Reading and Language Development, Fast Phonics, Everyday Math, and Tracks Science Programs. The IB Units of Inquiry incorporate Colorado State Standards in the content areas of science, history, geography, reading and writing. Gifted and Talented program support and Special Education programs are available to children as their individual needs are identified.
Our IB curriculum framework consists of concepts, knowledge, skills, attitude and action. The knowledge component is developed through “Units of Inquiry” that explore six themes of global significance, namely: Sharing the Planet, Who We Are, How We Organize Ourselves, Where We Are in Place and Time, How the World Works, and How We Express Ourselves. Each theme is supported and balanced by creative and meaningful subject areas. Don’t be surprised when your child comes home talking about the Cycle of Life, Pure Energy, It’s the End of the World As We Know It, or Home Grown! In-depth information about our Education Plan may be found in our Beacon School Proposal.
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Intercultural understanding: An important component of the IB program is mastery of a second language. Exposing students to other languages in addition to their mother tongue provides an insight into and an appreciation of other cultures, and an awareness of other perspectives. At Brown, our second language is Spanish.
Art, music and dance characterizing different cultures – complemented by our library/technology program – further advance our students’ understanding of different people and places throughout the world.
Finally, an appreciation of diversity is a core value at Brown International and is represented in the diversity of our student body. And we serve as an American Indian Focus School Program host in Denver Public Schools, drawing Native American students from surrounding schools. |
| Environmental interconnections: Brown is proud to be involved with “Wonders in Nature – Wonders in Neighborhoods” (“W.I.N./W.I.N.”). This urban wildlife conservation program, co-managed by the Denver Zoo and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, helps foster an appreciation for wildlife-related learning experiences. Students learn first-hand about science and nature through exposure to live animals and plants, and field trips to local natural areas and museums.
Kaleidoscope Corner and After-School Programs
Kaleidoscope Corner is a licensed childcare program that is offered before and after school to children in ECE through 5th grade. This option for families provides high-quality educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for children in a creative, safe and caring environment. Brown’s Kaleidoscope center is staffed with qualified professionals trained in the areas of CPR, First Aid, activity planning and behavior management. Learn more about Kaleidoscope.
Brown also offers a wonderful array of before- and after-school activities that vary from year to year. In the past, kids have joined clubs to pursue special interests ranging from IB crafts and Shakespearean plays to chess, sports and science.
It Takes a Village
Parents who send their children to Brown have made a commitment to raising kids who are culturally aware, respectful of other people and passionate about experiencing new things. To leverage the parent body’s enthusiasm and further guide the healthy growth of our school, two organizations have been formed.
The parent-teacher organization (PTO) and bilingual parent advisory committee (BPAC) have joined forces to advocate for all children, organize fundraisers and pursue community-building initiatives. Operating bi-lingually and representing Brown’s diverse population, this group plans major fundraising and social events including the annual Back-to-School Pow-Wow, Fall Festival and International Spring Festival. Look around Brown to see the fruits of their efforts – soon to include a science laboratory and a community garden, among other things.
The collaborative school committee (CSC) is a parent/staff committee focused on the improvement of school programs with distinct academic- and community-driven goals. We welcome and encourage involvement from all Brown families in these organizations! Join us!
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