Middle Year Programme (MYP)
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides a broad, balanced, internationally-minded education for early adolescents.
The IB MYP encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. It aims to help students develop their personal understanding, emerging sense of self, and responsibility in their community.
The MYP Curriculum
The MYP curriculum consists of eight subject groups. The balanced approach to subjects further extends the philosophy of the Primary Years Programme which highlights the importance of developing the whole child, with the aim of creating well-rounded individuals.
The eight subject groups studied as part of the Middle Years Programme include:
- Language acquisition
- Language and literature
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Arts
- Physical and health education
- Design
Using global contexts, MYP students develop an understanding of the world and their evolving place within it, through developmentally appropriate explorations of:
- Identities and relationships
- Personal and cultural identity
- Orientations in space and time
- Scientific and technical innovation
- Fairness and development
- Globalisation and sustainability.
Students learn best when their learning experiences have context and are connected to their lives and their experience of the world that they have experienced.
Source: International Baccalaureate Organisation- link will open in a new window
Interdisciplinary learning
As students progress from the PYP into the MYP, learning areas become more compartmentalised by necessity, due to the increasing depth of specialist knowledge to be acquired. However, each year students in the MYP must study at least one collaboratively-planned interdisciplinary unit that involves two or more subject groups. Interdisciplinary teaching and learning is systematically and meticulously planned by our teaching staff, to ensure students maximise the benefits of this progressive, best-practise learning strategy.
As knowledge and information multiply, critical thinkers must successfully integrate disciplinary perspectives to understand complex issues and ideas.
Source: International Baccalaureate Organisation- link will open in a new window
Action and Service
Action and service are values that run through every level of the International Baccalaureate Programme. Through Service Learning, MYP students strive to be caring members of the community who are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of others, and to the environment.
Transitions from the MYP
After finishing the MYP, students are well-prepared for further education, both locally and internationally, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, the Advanced Placement, or the WACE**.
**WACE is not currently offered at International School of Western Australia.