Looking for the best curriculum for your child? Find out how the IB MYB curriculum offers a balanced, challenging and globally relevant education in our blog.
Equally as important as choosing the right Middle School for your child is the decision of choosing the right curriculum for them to follow. With different teaching styles, components and focuses for every different curriculum, choosing one or the other can have a huge impact on both their personal development and enjoyment of education.
At SISD, we firmly believe the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum offers a fantastic, holistic educational experience. The IB MYP, or International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, consists of eight core subjects, each of which help to prepare your child for a lifetime of learning and global mindedness between the ages of 11-16.
Let’s dig into the IB MYP and look at each of these eight subjects to see how it can offer your child an education to last a lifetime.
The IB is recognised around the world as one of the leading curriculum providers, known for its academic rigor, international-mindedness and focus on holistic development. These curriculums are designed to prepare students for not just their exams, but for their lives.
The IB MYP curriculum is aimed at students between the ages of 11-16 as a bridge between the Primary Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme. It’s designed to guide students through early adolescence and all the emotional, intellectual and social developments they’ll face during this time.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the eight core subjects which make up the IB MYP.
This subject focuses on each student’s first language, helping to build strong reading, writing and speaking skills. This is a key aspect of learning to express themselves clearly and deepen their understanding of language shapes meaning.
At SISD, there are three main language pathways through the MYP.
French and English pathway – Students study both English and French language and literature, as well as Arabic.
German and English pathway – Students study both English and German language and literature, as well as Arabic.
English pathway – Students study English language and literature, language acquisition in French or German, as well as Arabic.
No matter your native language, language acquisition plays a crucial role both in the IB MYP and at SISD in general. As such, our IB MYP curriculum provides a structured path from beginner to advanced levels for English, French, German and Arabic.
The benefits of multilingualism are many, but the process of learning these is offers its own distinct advantages aside from the ability to speak another language. Learning a new language supports not just intercultural understanding and a more global future, but overall cognitive flexibility too.
This subject is focused on history, geography, economics and social sciences. Its purpose is to encourage students to respect and understand the world around them, equipping them with the skills they need to inquire and analyse the factors that influence individuals, societies and environments.
This is another way in which the IB MYP curriculum focuses on global-mindedness.
A core part of many curricula, science is included in the IB MYP to provide students with the tools to investigate scientific issues through research, experimentation and observation – whether working independently or as part of a team.
Typical IB MYP science courses feature biology, chemistry and physics, but additional options such as environmental sciences, sport sciences and life sciences can also be offered.
The mathematics offering in the IB MYP is strong, with the framework covering number, algebra, trigonometry and geometry, statistics and probability. Even for students who aren’t necessarily looking to pursue a career in mathematics, this subject offers the opportunity to develop skills in representing information, exploring models and finding solutions to a range of problems – each of which are invaluable across many other disciplines.
The MYP organises the mathematics framework into two main levels – Standard Mathematics and Extended Mathematics. This allows students to work at a level which suits their goals and aptitude.
The arts are widely celebrated for their ability to stimulate young imaginations and develop creativity and personal identity. As part of the IB MYP, students can partake in Dance, Music, Theatre, Media Arts or Visual Arts, offering a wide range of creative outlets for them to choose from.
Whether your child has a particular passion for one of the arts or an interest in trying their hand at them all, the IB MYP offers the opportunity to undertake a rotation of different disciplines to give them a full understanding of where their passions may lie.
The subject of design allows our students to apply practical and creative skills to solve design problems, whilst exploring the past and present of design styles and trends. As part of the IB MYP, design is delivered as a holistic process – focused on the process and skills needed to undertake design – rather than just the end product.
At its core, design is a subject which tackles inquiry, analysis, planning, testing and evaluation in a hands-on context – all of which are extremely important skills for young people to develop.
The value of being physically active is something often overlooked in today’s society, with more than 31% of adults around the world not meeting the recommended weekly amount of activity. This is why physical and health education is a core part of the IB MYP curriculum.
This subject focuses on both learning about and learning through physical activity – or rather the concepts and fundamentals of physical health and activity, as well as the technical skills and experience needed to be proficient in a wide range of physical activities.
This subject is also a fantastic opportunity for our students to build positive social relationships and develop crucial teamwork skills.
If the IB MYP curriculum sounds like a good choice for your child, you might be wondering where the right place is for them to experience it to its fullest potential.
At SISD, we are one of only 50 schools worldwide to offer not only the IB MYP, but the full spectrum of International Baccalaureate programmes, offering your child the opportunity to progress through to the IBDP or IBCP if they choose. We are proud to offer:
A Multilingual Education: We offer multiple language options for the MYP, offering your child the chance to acquire and develop additional languages alongside their native tongue.
State of the Art Facilities: Our purpose-built campus features science labs, art studios, design and technology rooms and top-class sports facilities.
Personalised Learning: Our focus on small class sizes and a nurturing environment help every child to be seen, supported and challenged every day.
Global Focus: With students from more than 80 countries at SISD, global-mindedness is a huge part of daily life at SISD.
Boarding Options: Whether you’re looking for full, weekly or flexi boarding, SISD offers secure, purpose-built residential options for our students.
If you’re interested in finding out more about SISD’s high-quality, globally recognised education that emphasises critical thinking, international-mindedness, and academic excellence, speak to our admissions team today.
