Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The MYP is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasizes intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in their subjects and the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement—essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders. The MYP builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students to meet the academic challenges of the IB Diploma Programme (DP). 

The MYP 

• 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 (language of instruction and additional language of choice) to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others 

• empowers students to participate in service within the community 

• helps to prepare students for further education, the workplace and a lifetime of learning. 

MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME (MYP) CURRICULUM MODEL 

The MYP consists of eight subject groups: language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design. Student study is supported by a minimum of 50 hours of instruction per subject group in each academic year.  In the MYP at ISU all students receive 4 blocks of instruction per the 8-day cycle.  This adds up to approximately 85 hours of instruction per school year.  Well beyond the 50 hour minimum of the MYP and even exceeding the 70 hours of recommended instructional time per subject group. 

The MYP aims to help students develop their personal understanding, their emerging sense of self and responsibility in their community. The curriculum is organized with attention to the following: 

Teaching and learning in context Students learn best when their learning experiences have context and are connected to their lives and the world that they have experienced. Using global contexts, MYP students explore human identity, global challenges and what it means to be internationally minded. The global contexts used include: Fairness and development, identities and relationships, orientation in space and time, personal and cultural expression, scientific and technical innovation, globalization and sustainability. 

Conceptual understanding Concepts are big ideas that have relevance within specific disciplines and across subject areas. MYP students use concepts as a vehicle to inquire into issues and ideas of personal, local and global significance and examine knowledge holistically. The16 key concepts addressed in the different subjects of the MYP include: 

Approaches to learning (ATL) A unifying thread throughout all MYP subject groups, approaches to learning provide the foundation for independent learning and encourage the application of their knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Developing and applying these skills help students learn how to learn. In the MYP, these skills are classified into five categories: thinking, self-management, research, communication and social (collaboration) skills. 

Service as Action Action (learning by doing and experiencing) and service have always been shared values of the IB community. Students take action when they apply what they are learning in the classroom and beyond. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a commitment to service—making a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. Service as action is an integral part of the programme. 

Language and identity MYP students are required to learn at least two languages. Learning to communicate in a variety of ways is fundamental to their development of intercultural understanding and crucial to their identity affirmation. In the MYP at ISU, language and literature courses are available in English, Korean and Mongolian. The language acquisition courses offered at ISU are French and Mandarin. 

MYP Personal Project In Grade 10, all students must complete the MYP Personal Project. Students develop a personal project independently, producing a truly personal and creative piece of work that stands as a summative review of their ability to conduct independent research and project development.