South Smithfield Elementary authorized as an IB Primary Years Programme, district officials say

Johnston County Public Schools board members on Jan. 14 congratulated South Smithfield Elementary School for achieving authorization as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) World School.

Principal Chad McLamb and Amanda Jackson, the school’s PYP coordinator, described a candidacy and authorization process that began in 2019 and took close to seven years because of disruptions from the COVID‑19 pandemic and other procedural steps. The authorization required 118 indicators and submission of more than 300 pieces of evidence, school staff said.

Kim Daughtry, director for special programs, and others described how the school used inquiry‑based instruction to build student voice and choice and reshape school culture. Amanda Jackson explained that grade-level teams meet weekly and that student agency and collaborative planning are central to the program. "Students have voice and choice," a staff member said, explaining how the PYP emphasizes student agency and higher-order thinking.

School leaders invited board members and the public to the school’s "Journey Around the World" event set for April 25, which district staff said drew about 800 visitors in the prior year. The principal noted an enrollment figure of 477 students for the school and thanked district-level support staff who assisted with the authorization process.

Board members asked about the timeline and workload required for authorization; staff described the multi-year candidacy, the substantial documentation and interviews with teachers, parents and students during the authorization visit. The board praised staff and students for the accomplishment and noted the authorization expands IB options within the district’s feeder pattern.

No board action was required to grant authorization at the Jan. 14 meeting; the presentation was informational and celebratory.