AGES 11–16

OUR IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME (MYP)

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the Metropolitan School of Panama offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) across Middle School and the first two years of High School, as an international curricular framework for students in Grades 6–10. The MYP curriculum combines the best research and practices from a range of national and international models, in preparation for the IB Diploma Programme (DP), which our students study during the last two years of High School.

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WHAT’S THE IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME (MYP)?

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a five-year, rigorous, and challenging program taught between Grades 6 and 10 of Middle and High School that broadens thinking and allows students to make connections between their learning and the real world. The MYP provides a relevant, engaging framework for creating global citizens with international perspectives, universal human values, and cultural awareness. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding, and global engagement — essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders.

As part of the continuum, the MYP builds upon the knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed throughout the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students for the rigorous requirements of the IB Diploma Programme, which best prepares students for their college or university studies. MYP students build their confidence and take charge of their own learning.

Throughout our MYP programme, students make transdisciplinary connections that transcend the classroom by developing critical academic skills and a deep understanding of global challenges. We believe these skills are necessary to succeed academically at school, in college or at university, and generally, in life beyond.

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THE MYP CURRICULUM’S FRAMEWORK

The MYP helps students develop subject-specific and interdisciplinary understanding. The framework includes:

Approaches to Learning ATL): Students learn how to learn by developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management.
Key and related concepts: Students explore big ideas that matter.
Global Contexts: Students understand the relevance and importance of their study for common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.

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SUBJECT GROUPS

The program consists of eight subject groups that provide a framework for learning within and across the subjects. The MYP's eight subject groups are:

Language and Literature (in the student’s first language)
Language Acquisition (in their second language)
Individuals and Societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts
Physical and Health Education
Design

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Global Contexts: Key for Our International School in Panama

As a key component of the MYP framework, students explore global contexts and themes across all subject groups and connect their learning experiences with the world. These contexts allow students to develop an understanding of their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet. The contexts are:

Identities and relationships
Personal and cultural identity
Orientations in space and time
Scientific and technical innovation
Fairness and development
Globalizations and sustainability

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THE IB MIDDLE YEARS LEARNER PROFILE

The IB aims to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

The IB Learner Profile has been designed to represent 10 attributes shared among and valued by world schools, encouraging individuals and groups to become responsible members of local, national, and global communities. Learn more about the profile and benefits of the IB to our school community.

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Grade 8 Community Project: This capstone project focuses on identifying an environmental issue and developing actions to address them. This project is developed in collaboration with local and international NGOs.

Grade 10 Personal Project: In the final year of the program, MYP students engage in a long-term independent project that allows them to demonstrate the understanding and skills they developed throughout the program. The topic is chosen by the student and must include a global context. Students document the process throughout their project, which culminates in a written reflection and exhibition of their project.

Continue to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme, which MET students pursue in their culminating Grades 11 and 12 of High School.