Introduction to MYP

Introduction to the Middle Year Programme (MYP)

What is  Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is an international framework for students aged 11 to 16 that promotes academic challenge, personal development, and global awareness. It is a purpose-built five-year program. Building on the skills and learning developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the MYP emphasizes inquiry-based, concept-driven learning across eight subject groups, while fostering essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and intercultural understanding. It encourages students to connect their studies to real-world contexts through global themes, community service, and projects that nurture international mindedness and lifelong learning. The MYP also connects classroom pedagogy and content to the world beyond school through the Global Contexts and the IB Learner Profile. Ultimately, the MYP prepares students for the IB Diploma Programme, which provides a balanced education, supports geographic and cultural mobility, and promotes international understanding. Student engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration are promoted through various interdisciplinary units (IDUs) allowing students to transfer and synthesise their learning between multiple subjects.

The IB MYP curriculum model

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2024

Subjects in the MYP The MYP is structured around eight subject groups that provide a balanced education:

  • Language and Literature
  • Language Acquisition
  • Individuals and Societies
  • Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Design
  • Arts
  • Physical and Health Education

At the core of the MYP is a commitment to holistic learning, intercultural understanding, and communication.

Fostering International Mindedness

Empowering Global Learners with Values, Voice, and Vision Rooted in the IB mission, the MYP fosters international mindedness, encouraging young people to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Through academic inquiry, personal reflection, intercultural exploration, and meaningful action, MYP learners are equipped to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world. International mindedness is more than an academic goal—it is the foundation of all learning in the MYP. Through global inquiries, multilingual learning, and exposure to multiple perspectives, students become:

  • Respectful of cultural diversity
  • Globally aware and socially responsible
  • Empathetic, open-minded, and principled thinkers
  • Active participants in a shared and interdependent world

We cultivate a classroom culture that celebrates difference, promotes dialogue, and equips students to act as global citizens.

Global Contexts

All learning in the MYP is explored through six Global Contexts that give real-world meaning to academic content and encourage students to think beyond their immediate surroundings: 1.Identities and Relationships – Exploring beliefs, values, health, human relationships, and identity 2.Orientation in Space and Time – Investigating personal histories, civilizations, and journeys across place and time 3.Personal and Cultural Expression – Understanding the ways we discover and express ideas, feelings, culture, and creativity 4.Scientific and Technical Innovation – Examining the impact of scientific discoveries and innovations on communities and environments 5.Globalization and Sustainability – Considering interconnectedness and our responsibility to care for the planet 6.Fairness and Development – Exploring justice, rights, and equal access to resources and opportunities These contexts nurture international mindedness by encouraging students to explore complex global issues from diverse perspectives.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2024

Community engagement (Service as Action) – Students Action, voice, choice

In the MYP, learning leads to doing. Students are encouraged to apply what they learn through Service as Action, which is a required component of the program. Service helps students:

  • Develop empathy and a sense of community responsibility
  • Reflect on ethical decisions and personal growth
  • Take meaningful action in response to real needs

At EIS, students participate in age-appropriate service activities that connect to their learning and inspire change at both local and global levels.

MYP Personal Project

In MYP 5, students undertake the Personal Project—an independent, student-driven inquiry that reflects their interests, values, and learning. It is a celebration of student voice, personal growth, and academic achievement. Students:

  • Set a personal learning goal
  • Conduct independent research
  • Create a final product
  • Reflect on their growth and process

The Personal Project showcases student voice, international mindedness, ATL skills, and academic maturity.

 

Approaches to Learning (ATL Skills): Learning How to Learn

The MYP teaches students to be confident, independent learners through five key Approaches to Learning (ATL) skill categories:

  • Thinking skills – creative, critical, and ethical thinking
  • Research skills – inquiry, evaluation, and synthesis
  • Communication skills – multilingual and multimedia expression
  • Social skills – collaboration and empathy
  • Self-management skills – organization, reflection, and resilience

These skills support academic excellence, personal development, and prepare students for future learning and real-life challenges.

 

 

Assessment in the MYP

Assessment in the MYP is designed to be fair, clear, and growth-focused. It includes a balance of formative and summative assessments.  Students are evaluated using IB criteria-based rubrics, not by comparison with peers. Each subject has four objectives, scored on an 8-point scale. The assessments are designed to reflect the skills and knowledge needed in the 21st century, including inquiry, communication, and critical thinking. Our assessment approach:

  • Encourages teachers’ meaningful feedback, Peer feedback, and self-reflection
  • Prioritizes understanding, goal setting and skill development
  • Includes projects, presentations, performances, investigations, portfolios, formal debates and Socratic seminars
  • Empowers students to own their learning journey and goal setting

eAssessment in MYP 5

AT EIS we are proud to offer IB MYP eAssessment in MYP Year 5. (Optional) eAssessment is a rigorous, globally recognized evaluation that reflects real-world skills: critical thinking, digital literacy, and conceptual understanding. Students complete assessments on computers, often using interactive tools and multimedia resources. It supports a smooth transition into the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or other advanced programs.

  • Externally assessed:

eAssessments are administered and marked by the IB, providing an externally verified measure of student achievement. Student well-being At EIS, student well-being is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that academic success is deeply connected to emotional, social, and mental health. Through a supportive and inclusive environment, we nurture students’ self-esteem, resilience, and sense of belonging. Differentiation in the MYP: The MYP supports diverse learning needs through differentiation, allowing students to access the curriculum at varying levels of readiness, interest, and learning style. Teachers tailor instruction, assessment, and support to ensure that every student is appropriately challenged and engaged. Technology in the MYP: Technology is integrated into MYP learning to enhance inquiry, creativity, and collaboration. Students use digital tools for research, design, communication, and problem-solving, preparing them for a connected, tech-driven world.