Lower Secondary Curriculum, Charlotte, NC

OUR LOWER SECONDARY CURRICULUM

Equivalent to Grades 6–9 of Middle School in the US school system or Years 7–10 in the British system, our private Lower Secondary School in Charlotte, North Carolina guides your child through the English National Curriculum and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). While the English National Curriculum goes into great depth with specific subjects, the IMYC at the British International School of Charlotte offers a thematic approach, which brings learning to life for your child with its relevance to the world.

Our International Middle Years Curriculum at BIS Charlotte

What is Lower Secondary education? In our Middle School, known as “Lower Secondary School” from the British system, we provide an education that follows the combined curricula of the English National Curriculum and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). This is a broad and balanced combination that allows students to experience a wide range of subjects, while developing important skills like critical thinking, collaboration, time management, and social awareness.

The English National Curriculum forms the basis for the content of our challenging program of study. It builds upon prior learning and prepares your child to explore in greater depth the concepts, processes, and skills of specific subjects.

The IMYC, meanwhile, offers a thematic approach to learning that brings learning to life for your child. The program offers a lively, motivational, and cross-curricula approach, resulting in your child loving coming to school every day. The IMYC helps them to develop greater confidence in their learning and its relevance to their world.

The School Day Structure

8:45 am: Registration
9:15 am: Lesson 1
10:15 am: Recess
10:30 am: Lesson 2
11:30 am: Lesson 3
12:30 pm: Lunch and Outdoor Time
1:30 pm: Lesson 4
2:30 pm: Lesson 5
3:30 pm: Home Time or Enrichment

Personalization for Our Private, Lower Secondary School Students

The Middle School or Lower Secondary years are a particularly important time in your child's life as they grow from a child to an adolescent. We build students’ independence and work ethic and provide personal guidance academically, socially, and emotionally. This is an important time for influencing the crucial decisions your child will make about their future and the role that they will play in the world.

We work closely with every student and their families to provide the personal guidance and support needed to ensure a successful transition to Upper Secondary School or High School.

Subjects and Skills

Our Middle School or Lower Secondary curriculum extends students’ knowledge, skills, and understanding in:

English
Mathematics
Foreign Languages including French and Spanish
World History and Geography
The Sciences
The Arts: Visual Art, Music, Drama
Design Technology and Computer Technology
Physical Education: Sport, Gym, Dance, and Fitness

Languages

Most schools will only offer your child the opportunity to learn one language as part of their compulsory education: typically, Spanish. Here, your child will develop an excellent grasp of Spanish, but also learn to speak excellent French, with the additional option to study Latin.