Welcome to the Middle Years Programme at the ABC

At Academia Británica Cuscatleca (ABC), we proudly offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), a framework that promotes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and a global perspective for students aged 11-16. The MYP serves as essential preparation for the IB Diploma Programme, which students undertake in their final two years of school. The IB Mission Statement aims to "develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect."

Our own Mission Statement at ABC, "Change the world by building responsible outstanding citizens (ROC's) through our commitment to a values-based and holistic learning experience," mirrors these ideals. We prepare students to become confident, compassionate global citizens, ready to make a positive impact on the world. We emphasize academic excellence, integrity, and a commitment to service, values deeply intertwined with both the philosophy of the IB and our broader vision for education.

This portal aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the MYP at our school, including its structure, assessment criteria, and the subject pathways your child will explore as they progress through the programme. Additionally, there is a dedicated section to help you understand your child’s reports and grades, offering insight into how MYP assessments work.

An IB Education

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognized educational framework that aims to develop students into active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. The IB offers a continuum of international education through four programmes, one of which is the Middle Years Programme (MYP). At its core, IB education seeks to foster a global perspective, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding.

At Academia Británica Cuscatleca, our Secondary School students follow the IB continuum, transitioning seamlessly from the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. This comprehensive, world-class education provides them with the best possible foundation for their future academic and career paths. IB qualifications are recognized by universities and institutions worldwide, offering students better opportunities for higher education and career prospects. The IB maintains a high level of academic rigor and consistent assessment standards across the globe.

Below are the distinctive features of an IB education that contribute to its global reputation for excellence:

IB Learner Profile

IB education develops the whole person, focusing not only on academic achievement but also on emotional, social, and physical well-being. It encourages students to be lifelong learners and globally responsible citizens.To do this the IB promotes a set of attributes (such as being inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and open-minded) that help students develop into well-rounded individuals. These attributes underpin the philosophy of the IB across all its programmes.

International Mindedness

International mindedness in the IB Programmes fosters intercultural understanding, global engagement, and multilingualism. It encourages students to explore diverse perspectives, connect learning to global issues, and develop empathy, making it a key feature that prepares them to navigate an interconnected world.

Service Learning

The IB promotes action and service as a central element of learning, making it a distinctive feature of the program. Students engage in meaningful community service, understanding how their learning connects to real-world challenges and how they can contribute to society. This fosters empathy, leadership, and a sense of responsibility, empowering students to make a lasting impact both locally and globally.

Approaches to Learning Skills

ATL (Approaches to Learning) skills are integral to what makes the IB programmes distinct, emphasizing the development of a comprehensive skill set that goes beyond academic knowledge. These skills are woven throughout the curriculum and help students approach learning in a purposeful, organized, and adaptive way.

The focus on ATL skills encourages students to take ownership of their learning, fostering greater self-awareness, autonomy, and responsibility. These skills not only support academic success but also prepare students to face real-world challenges with confidence, adaptability, and resilience.

The Middle Years Programme framework

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed for students aged 11-16, providing a framework that encourages them to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. By fostering critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, the MYP prepares students for future challenges. It encourages them to ask questions, think independently, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, ensuring they are well-equipped for both academic success and real-life situations.

The Middle Year Programme:

Addresses holistically students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being.
Provides students opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to manage complexity, and take responsible action for the future.
Ensures breadth and depth of understanding through study in eight subject groups.
Requires the study of at least two languages to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others.
Empowers students to participate in service with the community.
Helps to prepare students for further education, the workplace and a lifetime of learning.

MYP 10 Reasons.pdf

Core Elements of the Programme

Global Contexts

Learning in the MYP is framed through global contexts, which help students understand the relevance of what they are learning. Each unit of study is connected to a broader theme. This approach encourages students to think beyond the classroom and relate their learning to real-world challenges. Find out more about Global Contexts explorations here.

Interdisciplinary Learning

In the MYP, students are encouraged to see connections between different subjects. Interdisciplinary learning allows them to combine knowledge, concepts, and skills from various disciplines to explore complex issues and solve real-world problems. By engaging in interdisciplinary units (IDUs), students develop a deeper understanding of global challenges, enhance their critical and creative thinking, and refine their communication and collaboration skills. Find out more about Interdisciplinary Learning here.

Concepts

Each subject in the MYP is structured around key concepts, which are broad, powerful ideas that help students develop a deeper and more transferable understanding of their learning. These concepts—such as change, systems, identity, communication, relationships, and perspective—are central to inquiry and encourage students to think critically, reflect on their learning, and apply their knowledge to new contexts.

In addition to key concepts, each subject also includes related concepts, which provide more discipline-specific lenses for exploration. Find out more about MYP Concepts here.

MYP Subject Groups