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IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Excellence in Education- IB Middle Years Programme

 

MYP Model Logo

 

 

Since 2006, Riverwood International Charter School has partnered with the International Baccalaureate Program to provide all students with a globally relevant, rigorous, student-centered education that prepares them for attendance at any post-secondary institution in the world. Beyond a high school education, students develop into self-aware, curious, intrinsically motivated people that become active participants in the betterment of the lives of others around the world. 
 
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) spans from 6th to 10th grades, culminating with the personal project that is completed in the spring of the 10th-grade year in English classes. MYP focuses on facilitating the growth of young children into responsible young adults that are ready to enter into a self-selected academic path at Riverwood. 

MYP Scope and Sequence

 

 

The MYP Curricular Framework is inquiry-driven and encourages students to reflect and take action on issues of global significance—ideally in the service of others.

The instructional framework consists of:

Key and Related Concepts

Concepts are big ideas that have relevance within specific disciplines and across subject areas. MYP students use concepts as a vehicle to inquire into issues and ideas of personal, local, and global significance and examine knowledge holistically.

Global Contexts 

Students explore global ideas through the curriculum in their classrooms that relate to global contexts such as identities and relationships, orientation in time and space, personal and cultural expression, globalization and sustainability, fairness and development, scientific and technological development. 

Approaches to Learning 

Through Approaches to Learning (ATL) in IB programmes, students develop skills that have relevance across the curriculum that help them “learn how to learn”. ATL skills can be learned and taught, improved with practice and developed incrementally. They provide a solid foundation for learning independently and with others. ATL skills help students prepare for, and demonstrate learning through, meaningful assessment.

Service as Action 

Service as Action allows students to extend their learning beyond the classroom walls and into the community. It gives students the opportunity to connect and contribute to the real world and empowers them to become global citizens. ​ 

At the end of the Middle Years Program (grade 10), students demonstrate what they’ve learned in the MYP through the “personal project." Over the course of this one-year project, students select a topic of global importance that excites them. 10th grade English teachers shepard students through the personal project cycle where they investigate, plan, develop and present this topic (in the format of their choice).

Links to more information on MYP:  

 

 MYP Community Engagement 

Community Engagement (Service as Action) is a required component of the IB MYP which supports Riverwood International Charter School’s aim to develop internationally-minded young people. Community engagement can occur in the school, in the community, at a local organization or at a distant destination.  Students should strive to find a variety of service activities to broaden their horizons.   

Service as Action Outcomes:  Before taking on a community service project or activity, consider whether it will achieve at one of the outcomes below: 

  • Increases your awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth.  

  • Provides a new challenge for you to develop new skills.  

  • Requires perseverance and commitment.  

  • Requires you to work collaboratively with others.  

  • Consider the ethical implications of your actions.  

  • Discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities.  

  • Develop international-mindedness through global engagement and intercultural understanding 

Community Engagement and Service Guidelines: 

  • Service should be facilitated or completed through non-profit/volunteer organizations such as a school groups or initiatives, religious organizations, civic organizations, environmental groups, animal/community shelters or food banks, hospitals, etc 

  • There should be a learning connection to one of the outcomes listed above 

  • Students may not receive pay or compensation of any kind for the service completed. 

  • Students should check with the MYP Coordinator if unsure of the appropriateness of a community engagement and service activity. 

Beginning in 2024- Students who complete at least 40 hours of community engagement outside of class over 2 years of the IB MYP (20 hours for freshman and 20 hours for sophomore year) and receive an IB assigned Personal Project score of 4 or higher (out of possible 8) are eligible to receive an IB/MYP Honor Cord for graduation.  *Students in the class of 2027 may submit hours through April 2026 for cord eligibility. 

At the completion of each community engagement experience, students should complete the Community Engagement Documatation Form and the Reflection and Verification form.  These forms should be submitted to the MYP Coordinator.