Himalayan WhiteHouse IB World School

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Himalayan WhiteHouse World School, located in Tinkune, Kathmandu, is an innovative co-educational secondary school that provides quality education through English for students seeking to learn in the 21st century. 

The school believes in a comprehensive system of education that will prepare students for the future by encouraging leadership, critical thinking, and by providing a solid foundation upon which both their lives and careers may flourish. Every child is promised not only to be taught, but also to be lovingly nurtured until his or her potential is fully realized and achieved.

In the years it has been running, Himalayan WhiteHouse School has managed to produce a significant amount of achievements, success stories and lifetime memories in the young hearts and agile minds of their students.

Through an emphasis on positivity, responsibility, and collaboration, the school aims to build global citizens with the requisite skill-set to succeed in a rapidly progressing global society.

Vision

Himalayan WhiteHouse School aims to develop globally aware citizens who are lifelong learners and leaders.

Mission

Himalayan WhiteHouse School is committed to the harmonious holistic development of every child for excellence in academics, character, leadership, service as action, and global citizenship. We believe that children should be empathetic, responsible, and lifelong learners who will not only set examples for themselves but also contribute to society with grit and resilience.

Philosophy

Through the collaborative efforts of the teachers, parents, and community, HWS is prepared to professionally achieve its mission, standards, and objectives. Professional expectations are set for teachers and students with respect to continuous improvement in communication skills, creative imagination, contagious positive mental attitude, and contribution to society.

Goals

• To become lifelong learners
• To develop empathy, kindness, and growth mindset
• To become responsible citizens
• To foster entrepreneurship
• To give back to the community
• To practice critical and creative skills

LEARNING AT HWS

International Mindedness

For our students at HWS, international-mindedness means adopting a certain value system of kindness, tolerance, and acceptance of multiple viewpoints. Since our school is home to learners of different cultures, religions, nationality, and ethnicity, our students have the opportunity to spend time with each other who have grown up and immersed in a range of cultures, traditions and opinions. Being in a multicultural environment is not unusual for our students, and they thrive to become empathetic to views and opinions with Grit & Resilience.

Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry frames the written, taught and assessed curriculum in IB programmes. IB programs feature structured inquiry, drawing from established bodies of knowledge and complex problems. In this approach, prior knowledge and experience establish the basis for new learning, and students' own curiosity, together with careful curriculum design, provides the most effective stimulus for learning that is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant.

HWS implements Inquiry Driven Learning in our Primary and Middle Years Program through our Units of Inquiry and Program of Inquiry. The students follow the cycle of inquiry in their subject specific, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary units. This empowers our students to become critical, creative communicators; empathetic open-minded citizens and caring lifelong learners.

Learning Through Real-Life Connections

HWS believes that learning is only relevant through real-life experiences. Students should not be limited to book and factual learning through prescribed books. Learning takes place beyond books and boundaries by making connections to the world. This allows students to become problem-solvers and face real-life challenges.

Contextual Learning

The global scenario is changing education emphasizes on hands- on learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Experiential learning accentuates learning in a way that students are able to construct meaning based on their own experiences and their own unique perspectives. HWS facilitates Contextual Learning, an important part of our Primary and Middle School curriculum. Contextual Learning is guided through transdisciplinary themes in the PYP and Global Context in the MYP. Students at HWS are encouraged to explore global and local issues as they seek solutions, meet new people, discover new places, and discuss ideas they would otherwise not be exposed to.

Conceptual Learning

Students at HWS explore concepts, not content. A concept is a "big idea"-a principle or notion that is enduring and is not constrained by a particular origin, subject matter, or place in time (Erickson 2008). Concepts represent ideas that are broad, abstract, timeless and universal. Concepts add depth and rigor to student thinking to the traditional "two-dimensional" curriculum consisting of facts and skills. Concepts place no limits on the breadth of knowledge or on the depth of understanding and therefore are accessible to every student.

• Concepts are powerful, broad and abstract organizing ideas that may be transdisciplinary or subject-based.
• Concepts help to build understandings across, between and beyond subjects.
• Key concepts provide a lens for conceptual understandings within a transdisciplinary unit of inquiry; related concepts provide a lens for conceptual understandings within a specific subject.

WHY IS HWS UNIQUE?

HWS believes that every child is unique, and this belief sets it apart as a school that respects diversity in learning styles and abilities. The school stands out due to the exceptional students, parents, community partners, and staff who bring it to life each day. Their energy, love, and passion are contagious, and the school is profoundly grateful for their contributions that make it something great. HWS has meticulously crafted a balanced and holistic curriculum, fostering a growth mindset and open-mindedness.

The IB PYP and MYP Curriculum framework, integral to HWS's teaching and learning approach, serves as the curriculum organizer, providing a comprehensive guide for achieving authentic conceptual inquiry-based learning. This approach ensures engagement, significance, challenge, and relevance for PYP and MYP students.

The program of inquiry, coupled with reflective learning, enables PYP and MYP students to develop knowledge, conceptual skills, and the attributes of the IB Learner profile. Informed by constructivist and social-constructivist learning theories, the emphasis on collaborative inquiry and integrative learning honors the students' curiosity, voice, and contributions.

SERVICE AS ACTION

At HWS, the philosophy of "Service As Action" is not just a mantra but a lived practice. The school firmly believes that learning finds its full expression when accompanied by a commitment to giving back to society. HWS students are acknowledged and certified for the service hours they dedicate throughout the school year. They actively engage in individual or group service, conceptualizing and executing development, support, and sustainable plans. Through these experiences, students at HWS evolve into responsible, humble, caring, principled, and balanced global citizens who understand the importance of caring for their community.

The aim of "Service as Action" is to cultivate compassionate individuals within the community who take positive actions to improve the lives of others and contribute to a better environment. This approach prompts students to actively participate in their local community through personal or community projects, encouraging them to explore, design, implement, and reflect on their endeavors to create a positive impact. Through these service experiences, students not only recognize the value of community involvement but also gain a profound understanding of the challenges faced by their immediate surroundings.