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IB Candidacy

  • It’s Official, Sequoia Middle School is a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme!

    The Conejo Valley Unified School District is proud to announce that Sequoia Middle School is a Candidate School* for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP). This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Sequoia Middle School believes is important for our students.

    The MYP is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. Throughout the International Baccalaureate (IB) MYP candidacy process, this framework will be implemented as a schoolwide model, which will benefit all students that attend Sequoia Middle School.

    After Sequoia Middle School successfully completes the IB MYP process, and receives authorization from the IB World Programme, the Conejo Valley Unified School District will be the first District in Ventura County to be an IB continuum school district, offering an IB program at the elementary, middle and high school levels with IB programmes currently in place at Cypress Elementary School and Newbury Park High School.

    What is the IB MYP Philosophy?

    The MYP curriculum framework and philosophy is an enhanced and broadened version of the educational philosophy that is currently in place on the Sequoia campus through the DISCOVER Academy program. They MYP curriculum framework will be accessible to ALL Sequoia students and it includes:

    • Approaches to learning (ATL), that help students learn how to learn by developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management. 
    • Key and related concepts that help students explore big ideas that matter.
    • Global contexts that help students understand the relevance and importance of their study for understanding their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.


    Who Benefits from the MYP Philosophy?

    All Sequoia Middle School students will benefit from the IB MYP philosophy. With the implementation of the IB MYP curriculum framework through the candidacy process, all Sequoia students will participate in and have access to increased project-based, and hands-on learning opportunities across all academic disciplines. This includes students that receive Special Education services and English Language Learners.

    IB Learners Are:

    • Encouraged to think critically and solve complex problems.
    • Drivers of their own learning.
    • A core part  in educational programmes that can lead them to some of the highest-ranking universities around the world.
    • More culturally aware through the development of a second language.
    • Able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world. 


    Will there be Changes to the School’s DISCOVER Academy?
    Sequoia Middle School is an approved candidacy school for schoolwide International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. DISCOVER Academy will continue until the IB application is granted in the coming years. The school anticipates the final steps of the authorization process to take place during the 2025-2026 school year. Beginning with the school year that follows Sequoia receiving official authorization as an IB World School, classes at the school will no longer be designated specifically for DISCOVER students.

    How Does the DISCOVER Program Compare to the IB MYP?

    DISCOVER students currently have inquiry-based learning in three core subjects: English, Social Studies and Science. After Sequoia receives authorization as an IB World School students enrolled in DISCOVER, along with all Sequoia students will embrace a cross-curricular approach that includes all academic cores: English, Social Studies, Science and the addition of Mathematics, Language, Performing Arts, and Physical Education. This inquiry-based approach to learning will be led by all Sequoia teachers and available to all students. 

    Special projects and learning opportunities that benchmarked the learning experiences of DISCOVER students will continue under the IB MYP framework. For example the culminating Synthesis Symposium for DISCOVER 8th grade scholars will transition to a required independent learning project for all Sequoia students, as a culminating component of the MYP. Students will complete a significant piece of work over an extended period of time, encouraging them to consolidate their learning and reflect on the outcomes of their work.

    Will DISCOVER Academy be Available as a School Choice Option for the 2024-2025 School Year?

    Yes, DISCOVER Academy will continue to be a school choice option for the 2024-2025 school year. The DISCOVER program and student enrollment process, via the School Choice Application, will remain in place until Sequoia Middle School receives official authorization as an IB World School.

    Learn More About Sequoia Middle School
    Families are encouraged to attend the Sequoia Middle School Future Bears Information Night on Thursday, November 30th at 6pm at Sequoia Middle School: 2855 Borchard Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. This is a great opportunity to visit the campus and learn more about the school.

  • *Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org