Dunya School

IB Diploma Programme

Dunya School has offered the IB Diploma Programme for students ages 16 to 19 since January 2009. It is one of two schools in Azerbaijan (with the International School of Azerbaijan) to offer it. The Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year programme of international education which leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. At Dunya School the language of instruction in the IB Diploma Programme is English. As an IB World School, Dunya promotes "international mindedness" and supports students to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, well-balanced and reflective.

List of schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Education policy

The learning style at the school is cooperative, friendly and student-oriented. The basic element of the learning process is formed by the students' self-evaluation — by discovering their own potential, taking on responsibilities, possessing self-confidence and, therefore, using their creativity and imagination in every aspect of life.

At Dunya School, at the beginning, the medium of instruction was Azerbaijani (Azeri) with English as a second language. Use of English as a language of instruction prepares children to find links between their community and the world. The students learn and use English in an interactive way, connecting their knowledge with real-life situations, using demonstration techniques. Conversational Club is held for students of all classes to motivate them to interact in English. This makes the students feel at home in an English-speaking environment. Now Dunya School is threeligual, that is English? Azerbaijani and Russian, depending on students` and their parents interests.

Students learn Italian, Russian, German, Arabic and other languages as well.

Art, music, drama, dance, and chess round out the educational program. Qualified professionals conduct classes in these fields that are equally important in developing a balanced character. It is Dunya's aim to educate not just the mind of the students, but to affect their behavior, attitudes and perceptions effectively, enhancing their self-awareness and self-reliance.

The classes aren't limited to the classroom walls. Art exhibitions of Dunya students are often organized at the school as well as nationally, which stimulate their creative activity. Extracurricular activities help children develop confidence in themselves and work with others. There are trips to museums, historical places, national parks, art galleries, theaters, nature, colleges and, of course, to Khazar University.

Organization

The school is divided into four departments related to stages of school education: Preschool (3–5 years old), Primary (1st - 5th grades), Basic or Middle or Lower Secondary (6th - 9th grades), and Secondary or Upper Secondary (10th - 11th grades). Parent and Teacher Association organizes and supports events and programs and serves as an important link between parents and the school. The school has an internal quality evaluation (self-evaluation) system controlled by Khazar University. The responsibility for developing in-service teacher training has also been entrusted to Khazar University School of Education. Instructors are selected for their knowledge, moral qualities, enthusiasm and care for children.

Preschool

The curriculum is attuned to cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of each child. To reach the goals of the education program the following activities are performed:

The program is improved by songs, poems, and storytelling, which encourage children's creativity and imagination.

Primary School

Dunya Primary School offers its students the academic environment, active student involvement, a balanced combination of established tradition and modern ideas and facilities. Beginning from the 3rd grade, students are taught by teachers specialized in subjects, providing them with a greater exposure to different approaches to the learning experience.

There are classrooms purposefully designed for each subject. There is no place for memorizing conceptual knowledge, neither is there any homework that doesn't serve a meaningful purpose. The intention is to teach students literacy, basic mathematics and to help them love their school through activities. Slow learners are given extra lessons.

Middle and Secondary School

According to Dunya School's approach, high school education should prepare students for an independent life and the university entrance exam. Qualified teachers support their students to help them become good citizens with critical thinking ability, who will be able to cope with modern science and technology, humanities and social studies.