Imagine yourself at the crossroads of academics, with your mind filled with aspirations and goals. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is now what you stumble upon as you make your way through a range of curricular possibilities. Why, you inquire? Because choosing the IBDP isn’t just selecting a curriculum; it’s the ultimate power-up that elevates you to places other
pathways may only envy.
Now, let’s talk about the renowned Johnson Grammar School IBDP. As the keepers of this sacred knowledge, they’ve taken the IB curriculum and woven their own enchantments into it. Every teacher here is a mentor who gives personalized
attention ensuring that classroom learning is applied to the real world. They’ve taken the ‘I’ in IB and made it truly ‘Individual,’ ensuring that your strengths are nurtured, your passions are kindled, and your dreams are sculpted into reality.
Johnson Grammar School in a Nutshell
Having been in operation for approximately
14 years, Johnson Grammar School has cultivated several core principles over these years. These guiding values include upholding the integrity of students, fostering courage, encouraging innovation, and nurturing creativity. Though you may not be able to view the backdrop, these
four fundamental attributes are central to everything the school stands for.
The educational philosophy is built upon the principle of equal opportunities for all students. Irrespective of their prior academic records or backgrounds, every student entering the IB Diploma program is treated on an equal footing. This philosophy extends to leadership roles and all aspects of school life. In alignment with the IB’s principles, the teaching strategies and classroom practices are meticulously tailored to empower students and place their needs at the forefront.
Vidhya Bhaskar, the IB Coordinator, demonstrated her innovative leadership through a recent initiative. To encourage healthy eating, understanding the finance involved in a business and promoting teamwork and collaboration, student led canteen has been introduced. During short breaks, each of the four houses assumes responsibility for planning and providing healthy snacks on a rotation basis.
Under her guidance, this initiative was meticulously designed to actively engage students in all stages – from initial planning to flawless execution. The resulting profits from this initiative are contributed to a range of NGOs, with whom a group of students are involved with.
Furthermore, regarding the onboard staff, the IB School operates as a close-knit community with around 17 dedicated members. This intimate setup of around 68 students and 15-17 staff fosters a culture of collaboration and teamwork among the educators.
Beyond Textbooks
Treating the curriculum as a one of the vital means of shaping students into globally-prepared citizens, the approach adopted at Johnson Grammar School involves infusing the teaching practices
with both local and global examples. Where the intention is to ensure that students understand how the concepts they learn have broader applicability beyond their immediate surroundings.
Given that a majority of the student body is rooted in the local culture, it becomes essential to expand their horizons beyond their familiar territory. “To achieve this, we encourage extensive research within and outside the classroom, while also presenting
diverse examples, we empower students to grasp the worldwide implications of what they’re learning”, shared – Vidhya Bhaskar.
Furthermore, the curriculum extends beyond textbooks, in turn, facilitating experiential learning by organizing trips to different states and countries, like the proposed journey to Assam and Vietnam, which includes a service component. Such experiences allow the predominantly Telugu-speaking students to immerse themselves in different cultures, languages, and ways of life, broadening their perspectives.
Additionally, an integral part of the educational approach is the expansive CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) program. This program not only develops students academically but also nurtures their holistic growth. For instance, last year, students embarked on a trip to Jaipur, where they were exposed to a culture vastly different from their own. This type of exposure allows them to step out of their comfort zone and witness the diversity that exists within their own country.
Beyond the Four Walls of the Classroom
All thanks to the impressive infrastructure present on campus, the Johnson Grammar School offers a variety of indoor and outdoor sports facilities to promote physical activity among their students. Indoors, the school has a dedicated sports room equipped for activities such as table tennis, chess, and carrom. Whereas outdoors consists of a spacious ground where children can engage in a range of sports including cricket, football, basketball, and throw ball. The school also organizes a day trek each semester, providing an
opportunity for students to partake in physical outdoor activities.
Furthermore, the students actively participate in a variety of clubs, many of which they lead themselves. For instance, the school has a Cine Club where students learn the art of creating short films, utilizing even basic devices like mobile phones. Through this club, students showcase their creativity by producing short videos, which are presented to the entire community, including parents.
Another example is the Social Awareness Club, which focuses on specific themes for a given period, usually a month or two. Presently, the school is collectively working on minimizing the use of plastic. This initiative is carried out in three phases. The first phase involves educating our school community about reducing plastic usage, encompassing students, parents, and staff. Students have impressively made conscious choices, refraining from using plastic containers, water bottles, and waste baskets. This initiative reflects the commitment to an environment friendly approach.
The second phase entails extending this awareness to other sections of the school, which includes the ICSE and ISC streams, besides the IB. The success of these phases will pave the way for the third phase, where the students plan to engage with the local community and neighboring areas. This project is designed for continuity, ensuring that future students carry the baton forward. Although initiated by the seniors, it is a dynamic and ongoing effort, transitioning seamlessly from one phase to the next, with each new batch of juniors taking up the mantle.
