Middle Years Programme @ ISP
A learner-centred educational approach
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed for learners aged 11 to 16 as a framework of learning that develops creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The MYP emphasises intellectual challenge, requiring learners to apply their learning in real-world contexts. It fosters the development of intercultural communication and understanding for global engagement—essential qualities for young people who are becoming the world’s future leaders and changemakers.
This learner-centred educational approach aims to develop genuine interdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and understandings so that learners can draw conceptual links across the variety of academic subjects that they study.
The IB Approaches to Learning Skills (ATL) are grounded in the belief that learning how to learn is fundamental to a person’s life, in and out of a school context. Therefore, these skills are embedded across all IB programmes, including the MYP.
In broad terms, IB programmes support learners in developing the key transdisciplinary skills of: Thinking, Communication, Research, Self-management and Social Interaction.
Subjects of study
In Middle School (grade 6 - 8), MYP learners follow the courses in the required eight subject groups of:
- Group 1 - Language Acquisition
- Group 2 - Language & Literature
- Group 3 - Individuals & Societies (Integrated courses and topics of humanities, history, geography, economics)
- Group 4 - Sciences (Integrated courses and topics of biology, chemistry, physics)
- Group 5 - Mathematics (Integrated courses and topics of numerical and abstract reasoning, thinking with models, spatial reasoning, reasoning with data)
- Group 6 - Arts (Separate courses in Visual Art, Music and Theatre)
- Group 7 - Physical and Health Education (PHE)
- Group 8 - Design
In the Upper School (grades 9-10), MYP learners follow six of the MYP required courses and select choice-based elective courses related to all of the subject areas, including the two optional subject groups:
- Group 6 - Arts (Visual Art, Music and Theatre)
- Group 8 - Design
In addition to the academic subject groups listed above, students develop their curiosity through a wide range of elective courses and build their capacity as Changemakers through the Service as Action programme. Service learning can take place within units of study, outside of the classroom and even outside of the ISP community.
In Grade 8, the third year of the MYP programme, all learners complete the Community Project. In this project, they work individually, in pairs, or in trios to take action and address a community need. The process lasts around 15 hours, and much of the planning and reflection occurs in their advisory class. At the completion of the project, learners present their learning journey to an audience of peers.
In Grade 10, students complete the Personal Project, which empowers learners to investigate an area of interest or passion, creating a unique product and an accompanying report. At the completion of the Personal Project, students take part in the Exhibition, where they can share their learning with the school community. The Personal Project process lasts at least 25 hours and is an MYP requirement for all students at ISP.
In the Classroom
Learning in Action
When students enter the Design Studio at ISP, there is a sense of possibility, a feeling of traction, and a structure of support. The Design
Studio is a place where ideas and materials are connected.
Theatre plays an important role in our Middle School at ISP, serving as a powerful medium for self-expression and personal growth.
Parents are an essential part of our school community, and we offer numerous opportunities for them to get involved on campus.
'Crazy Coded Cardboard Contraptions' is a MS elective course emphasising creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning.