The MYP Programme Explained

By Ms. Lana Kulas (Head of Secondary School)

Children from the age of 11 years who join SISQ will follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). This is a five-year programme with a curriculum that focuses on learning that is rooted in the real world and allows students to make connections between what they study in class and what they experience in their life. The MYP ensures that students have a broad education and experience a wide range of subjects before specialising within the Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Language learning is incredibly important at SISQ as it allows our students to become multilingual global citizens.  As a result, all students study English, French and Arabic. English is taught as a Language and Literature course, whereas students learn Arabic and French depending on their previous experience of the languages.

As well as studying a range of subjects, students are taught how to learn and to reflect on what helps them learn best. Through the IB’s Approaches to Learning, teachers focus on explicitly teaching thinking, communication, collaboration, research and organisational skills to enable students to become effective lifelong learners. Learning carries on beyond the classroom as students take what they learn and engage in meaningful service activities that help their community. Service is a key feature of the MYP programme and all students are expected to take part in service activities each year. They are given the opportunity to identify a need in their community and develop a plan for addressing that need before putting it into practice. This aspect of the programme allows students to make authentic connections between life inside and outside the classroom.

At the end of the five year course, all students have the opportunity to gain IB validated grades based on examinations and coursework, which enable them to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.