Middle Years Programme

The arts in the MYP seek to stimulate young imaginations, challenge perceptions and develop creative and analytical skills. Involvement in the arts encourages students to understand the arts in context and the cultural histories of artworks, thus supporting the development of an inquiring and empathetic world view. The arts challenge and enrich personal identity, and build awareness of the aesthetic in a real-world context. Through development of the imagination, students can become more empathetic and compassionate, they can enrich their cultural lives and discover new ways to contribute actively both to their own communities and to the world.

The MYP values the processes of creating, performing and presenting artwork, and gives students opportunities to function as artists and to develop as learners. Students learn to use the arts to convey feelings, experiences and ideas about the world, and in doing so they acquire and develop techniques and creative skills. They learn the value of reflection and evaluation as a means of developing their ideas, their skills and their work.

The aims of MYP Arts are to encourage and enable students to:

• enjoy lifelong engagement with the arts

• explore the arts across time, cultures and contexts

• understand the relationship between art and its contexts

• develop the skills necessary to create and to perform art

• express ideas creatively

• reflect on their own development as young artists.

Scholars are required to take a minimum of one (1) Visual Arts discipline and one (1) Performing Arts discipline. 

For more information, see the official IB Arts

Design, and the resultant development of new technologies, has given rise to profound changes in society, transforming how we access and process information, adapt our environment, communicate with others, solve problems, work and live. MYP design challenges students to apply practical and creative-thinking skills to solve design problems; encour- ages students to explore the role of design in historical and contem- porary contexts; and raises students’ awareness of their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action.

Inquiry and problem-solving are at the heart of design. MYP design requires the use of the design cycle as a tool, which provides: the meth- odology to structure the inquiry and analyse problems; the develop- ment of feasible solutions; the creation of solutions; and the testing and evaluation of the solution. In MYP design, a solution can be a model, prototype, product or system independently created and developed by students.

MYP design enables students to develop not only practical skills but also strategies for creative and critical thinking.

The aims of MYP design are to encourage and enable students to:

• enjoy the design process, and develop an appreciation of its elegance and power

• develop knowledge, understanding and skills from different disciplines to design and create solutions to problems using the design cycle

• use and apply technology effectively as a means to access, process and communicate information, model and create solutions, and to solve problems

• develop an appreciation of the impact of design innovations for life, global society and environments

• appreciate past, present and emerging design within cultural, political, social, historical and environmental contexts

• develop respect for others’ viewpoints and appreciate alternative solutions to problems

• act with integrity and honesty, and take responsibility for their own actions developing effective working practices.

For more information, see the official IB Design

The MYP individuals and societies subject group incorporates disciplines traditionally studied under humanities and social sciences. This subject group encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them, and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, geographical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors that affect individuals, societies and environments.

The study of individuals and societies helps students to appreciate critically the diversity of human culture, attitudes and beliefs. Courses in this subject group are important for helping students to recognize that both content and methodology can be debatable and controversial, and for practising the tolerance of uncertainty.

The IB’s approach to this subject area includes a strong focus on inquiry and investigation. Students collect, describe and analyse data; test hypotheses; and learn how to interpret increasingly complex information, including original source material. This focus on real-world examples, research and analysis is an essential aspect of the subject group and relevant to their lives and be encouraged to apply it to new situations.

The aims of MYP individuals and societies are to encourage and enable students to:

• appreciate human and environmental commonalities and diversity

• understand the interactions and interdependence of individuals, societies and the environment

• understand how both environmental and human systems operate and evolve

• identify and develop concern for the well-being of human communities and the natural environment

• act as responsible citizens of local and global communities 

• develop inquiry skills that lead towards conceptual understandings of the relationships between individuals, societies and the environments in which they live.

For more information, see the official IB Individuals and Societies

The ability to communicate in more than one language is essential to the concept of an international education that promotes intercultural understanding, and it is central to the IB’s mission. The study of additional languages in the MYP provides students with the opportunity to develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture, and to realize that there are diverse ways of living, behaving and viewing the world.

Acquiring an additional language and exploring and reflecting on the cultural perspectives of our own and other communities:

• are central to developing critical thinking and international-mindedness

• provide an intellectual framework to support personal development, cultural identity and conceptual understanding

• greatly contribute to the holistic development of students and to the strengthening of lifelong learning skills

• equip students with the necessary multiliteracy skills and attitudes to communicate successfully in various global contexts

The aims of MYP language acquisition are to encourage and enable students to:

• gain proficiency in an additional language while supporting maintenance of their mother tongue and cultural heritage

• develop a respect for, and understanding of, diverse linguistic and cultural heritages

• develop the communication skills necessary for further language learning, and for study, work and leisure in a range of contexts

• develop multiliteracy skills through the use of a range of learning tools

• develop an appreciation of a variety of literary and non-literary texts and to develop critical and creative techniques for comprehension and construction of meaning

• recognize and use language as a vehicle of thought, reflection, self-expression and learning in other subjects

• understand the nature of language and the process of language learning

• gain insight into the cultural characteristics of the communities where the language is spoken

• gain an awareness and understanding of the perspectives of people from their own and other cultures

• develop curiosity, inquiry and a lifelong interest in, and enjoyment of, language learning.

Vertex Partnership Academies offers students the opportunity to choose between Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin).

For more information, see the official IB Language Acquisition

Language is fundamental to learning, thinking and communicating, as well as providing an intellectual framework to support conceptual development. It plays a central role in developing critical thinking, cultivating international-mindedness, exploring and sustaining personal development and cultural identity, and responsibly participating in local, national and global communities.

MYP language and literature courses equip students with linguistic, analytical and communicative skills that help to develop interdisciplinary understanding. Students develop skills in six domains—listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting—both independently and with others.

MYP language and literature courses include a balanced study of genres and literary texts, including a world literature component. Students’ interactions with texts generate moral, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental insights. Through their studies, students learn how to form opinions, make decisions, and engage in ethical reasoning.

The aims of MYP language and literature are to encourage and enable students to:

• use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, analysis and social interaction

• develop the skills involved in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting in a variety of contexts

• develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analysing literary and non-literary texts

• engage with text from different historical periods and a variety of cultures

• explore and analyse aspects of personal, host and other cultures through literary and non-literary texts

• explore language through a variety of media and modes

• develop a lifelong interest in reading

• apply linguistic and literary concepts and skills in a variety of authentic contexts.

For more information, see the official IB Language and Literature

The framework for MYP mathematics outlines four branches of mathematical study.

1. Numerical and abstract reasoning

2. Thinking with models

3. Spatial reasoning

4. Reasoning with data

The study of mathematics is a fundamental part of a balanced education. It promotes a powerful universal language, analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills that contribute to the development of logical, abstract and critical thinking. The MYP mathematics and extended mathematics courses promote both inquiry and application, helping students to develop problem-solving techniques that transcend the discipline and are useful in the world outside school.

Mathematics in the MYP is tailored to the needs of students, seeking to intrigue and motivate them to want to learn its principles. Students should see authentic examples of how mathematics is useful and relevant to their lives and be encouraged to apply it to new situations.

The aims of MYP mathematics courses are to encourage and enable students to:

• enjoy mathematics, develop curiosity and begin to appreciate its elegance and power

• develop an understanding of the principles and nature of mathematics

• communicate clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts

• develop logical, critical and creative thinking

• develop confidence, perseverance and independence in mathematical thinking and problem-solving

• develop powers of generalization and abstraction

• apply and transfer skills to a wide range of real-life situations, other areas of knowledge and future developments

• appreciate how developments in technology and mathematics have influenced each other; the moral, social and ethical implications arising from the work of mathematicians and the applications of mathematics; the international dimension in mathematics; and the contribution of mathematics to other areas of knowledge

• develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to pursue further studies in mathematics

• develop the ability to reflect critically upon their own work and the work of others.

For more information, see the official IB Mathematics

MYP physical and health education aims to empower students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active while developing the motivation for making healthy and informed life choices. To this end, physical and health education courses foster the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes contributing to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Students engaged in physical and health education will explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health perspectives, as well as positive social interaction. Physical activity and health are of central importance to human identity and global communities, creating meaningful connections among people, nations, cultures and the natural world.

Through physical and health education, students learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, and develop effective collaboration and communication skills. This subject area also offers many opportunities to build positive interpersonal relationships that can help students to develop a sense of social responsibility and intercultural understanding.

The aims of MYP physical and health education are to encourage and enable students to:

• use inquiry to explore physical and health education concepts

• participate effectively in a variety of contexts

• understand the value of physical activity

• achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle

• collaborate and communicate effectively

• build positive relationships and demonstrate social responsibility

• reflect on their learning experiences.

For more information, see the official IB Physical and Health Education

With inquiry at the core, the MYP sciences framework aims to guide students to independently and collaboratively investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation. The MYP sciences curriculum explores the connections between science and everyday life. As they investigate real examples of science applications, students discover the tensions and dependencies between science and morality, ethics, culture, economics, politics, and the environment.

Scientific inquiry fosters critical and creative thinking about research and design, as well as the identification of assumptions and alternative explanations. Students learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of oth- ers, gain good ethical-reasoning skills and further develop their sense of responsibility as members of local and global communities.

The MYP sciences group aims to encourage and enable students to:

• understand and appreciate science and its implications

• consider science as a human endeavour with benefits and limitations

• cultivate analytical, inquiring and flexible minds that pose questions, solve problems, construct explanations and judge arguments

• develop skills to design and perform investigations, evaluate evidence and reach conclusions

• build an awareness of the need to effectively collaborate and communicate

• apply language skills and knowledge in a variety of real-life contexts

• develop sensitivity towards the living and non-living environments

• reflect on learning experiences and make informed choices.

Vertex offers courses Living Environment and Earth Sciences for scholars in MYP

For more information, see the official IB Science

Service as Action (SA) offers students a chance to give back to their community and learn in a hands-on, guided environment. Below is a video explaining more about what SA may look like to students at Vertex and around the world.

As today’s MYP students mature, they will be increasingly called on to shape the world that they inhabit. To prepare students for this responsibility, middle-level education must cultivate students’ motivation, agency, and capacity for lifelong learning, As shown below:

Motivation - Students explore an area that motivates and interests them. 

Agency - Students set their own goals and choose how to achieve them. Students create their articulation of what success will look like. 

Lifelong learning - Students demonstrate and develop Approaches to learning (ATL) skills. Students reflect on the impact that the personal project has had on themselves and/or their community. 

The personal project provides an opportunity for students to undertake an independent and age-appropriate exploration into an area of personal interest. Through the process of inquiry, action, and reflection, students are encouraged to demonstrate and strengthen their ATL skills. The personal nature of the project is important; the project allows students to explore an area that motivates and interests them. Students choose what they want to focus on, which can be an existing or a new interest, choose how to achieve their goal, and create their success criteria for the product. The project provides an excellent opportunity for students to produce a truly personal and often creative product and to demonstrate a consolidation of their learning in the MYP.

For more information, see the official IB Personal Project Guidelines