Parent Information

  • Welcome parents and prospective parents [of any grade]!  Within this section and the front page of the South Hills IB, you have at your disposal a plethora of resources to help you make informed decisions about IB and work with your child to make the best possible choices in the process of high school learning and education.  

    Official IBO Website 

Education for a Better World: IB Diploma Program

Education for a better world: IB Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme described by teachers and students in their own words.

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  • 9 Apps for Parents

    Making Thinking Visible

    1. Name and Notice Thinking

    Use the language of thinking to name and notice the thinking your child is using and thus make it more visible.

    Example: "I like how you have used what you already know to make connections. That's a perspective I hadn't thought about."

    2.Develop a Growth Mindset

    Develop a growth mindset in your child by focusing your praise on process, learning, and effort.

    Example: "You really worked hard on this and have learned a lot." or "You've really developed as a musician.", as opposed to "You're so clever. You're good at math."

    3. Challenge but Don't Rescue

    When your child encounters difficulties, don't jump in to solve the problem and rescue him/her. Instead, ask questions that will help him/her to think through the problem, identify, and choose a course of action moving forward.

    4. What Questions Did You Ask Today?

    Our questions drive us as learners. Instead of asking your child, "Did you learn anything today?", you could say, "Did you ask a good question today?" This will encourage your child to be more invested in the types of questions they ask at school.

    5. Focus on the Learning Over the Work

    Learning is the goal of an assignment. Take a moment to ask your child what the purpose of each homework assignment is, what do they think the teacher wants them to learn and get better at as a result. Then monitor the learning, not the work.

    6. Support Your Child in Arguing Effectively and Persuasively

    Research has shown that teenagers who argued constructively with their parents by building a case and providing evidence for their position were more enabled to speak up, voice an opinion, and use evidence in other facets of life.

    7. Provide Time to Pursue Passions

    Students need time and space to pursue their passions and interests. Pay attention to your child's learning and passions outside of school and make time for them.

    8. Make your own Thinking Visible

    You are a model for your child of what it means to be a thinker and learner. Model your own interests, passions, curiosity, reflection, learning, and thinking for your child.

    9. What Makes You Say That?

    By simply asking, "What makes you say that?", in a curious and nonjudgemental tone after someone has given a response, we are able to get a window into the thinking behind that person's initial response.