Middle Years

Students in Grades 6-10 follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The MYP is a challenging five year programme that prepares students for the challenges of the IB Diploma. It is a curriculum framework that focuses on inquiry based learning of key concepts that are rooted in the real world. Through the use of the MYP Global Contexts, students follow lines of inquiry that link their learning to real world situations and challenges, thus ensuring that learning is relevant and contextualised at an appropriate level.

The MYP comprises of eight subject groups:

• Language and Literature
• Language Acquisition
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• Individuals and Societies
• Physical and Health Education
• Arts
• Design

The curriculum is broad and ensures that students study a balance of disciplines. As well as academic study, students also participate in service projects and service learning. Approaches to Learning are key to success in the MYP. The IB divides the Approaches to Learning into five key skills:

• Communication
• Thinking
• Research
• Self-management
• Social skills

As well as constantly using these skills throughout the curriculum, students are explicitly taught the skills in order to help them learn effectively.

In IB schools, at the end of the five year programme students are normally entered for examinations and internal assessments that lead to the award of the MYP Certificate, an externally validated qualification. Central to the awarding of the MYP Certificate, is the completion of the MYP Personal Project, which is a piece of work that students undertake in Grade 10. Students have the opportunity to pursue a personal passion or interest and complete the project under the supervision of a mentor who guides them through the process.

The IB Learner Profile is a common thread that runs through all of the IB programmes, PYP, MYP and DP. Through the written, taught and assessed curriculum students develop the ten IB Learner Profile traits and learn how to effectively reflect on their learning and actions. Opportunities to explore the Learner Profile traits are built into curriculum units and explored in all aspects of the curriculum, both inside and outside the classroom.