The middle years of schooling is a time of rapid growth in a young person’s life, involving complex physiological and emotional change. At BKA we have an experienced team of professionals providing a structured and caring environment for students as they transition from the primarily “one classroom” learning environment of the Primary School to the varied demands and structures of Secondary School. To make this journey easier, our Ritterhof campus building was designed to accommodate our upper elementary school.
An Introduction to the MYP
The creative, dynamic energy of adolescence is focused in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at BKA as students from 12 to 16 (Grade 7 to Grade 10) begin to connect what they experience in the classroom in a real-life context. The MYP aims to broaden perspectives, encouraging youth to communicate and collaborate with those of different cultures and backgrounds, and critically assess their choices and the world around them.
In the MYP developing social and emotional skills plays a role just as important as the broad academic subjects, and a strong focus on community service encourages adolescents to empower others through shared experiences. This well-rounded approach culminates in a self-selected personal project that ties together their learning and taps into their personal passions.
The MYP Framework at BKA
The MYP builds on the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the PYP and prepares students for the rigour and requirements of the Diploma Programme . As a broad curriculum framework, the MYP requires all students to study eight distinct subject areas: individuals and societies, language and literature, language acquisition, mathematics, design, arts, sciences, and physical and health education.
The MYP framework emphasises learning in authentic contexts, building and deepening conceptual understandings, and developing skills that enable students to learn and thrive in our world. Students who participate in the MYP build confidence, learn by doing and connecting to the larger world, develop an understanding of global challenges, and act as responsible citizens.
The lower secondary school programme consists of 8 subject groups:
- Language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Sciences
- Individuals and societies
- Design
- Mathematics
- Physical and health education
- Arts | Music & Visual arts
Service learning plays a significant role, requiring students to take part in service activities in the surrounding community, and they are expected to objectively analyse their work and progress on a regular basis. The MYP culminates in the personal project, which is an opportunity for students to apply all of the understandings and skills they have developed throughout the programme in a personal task of their choosing.
Interested in Learning More?
From interdisciplinary units to Approaches to Learning to conceptual understanding, the MYP can sometimes feel like a dizzying array of educational terms. To help parents and students understand the overarching ideas behind the MYP framework, the IB provides a comprehensive site that walks through each key element of the programme.
As a whole, the MYP encourages students “to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life”, and “to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning”.
