International Baccalaureate -- MYP

Community and Service Activity Record (pdf)
 

St. Anthony Middle School, an International Baccalaureate World School, provides a strong academic background while still offering students a variety of elective courses. As an IB World School SAMS is part of a worldwide community of schools with a high quality program of international education. There are more than 752,000 IB students at 2,731 schools in 138 countries.

The IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) does not impose a curriculum but allows the flexibility to continue with its own high standards. The emphasis is on professional development of teachers which is focused on rigorous performance expectations. These IB criteria are used for student assessment by all authorized schools internationally. IBO's standards insist upon interdisciplinary mastery of skills while developing creative and critical thinkers who are well prepared to meet the increasing demands of our global community. Thus, the MYP (Middle Years' Program of IBO) at SAMS is designed by its teachers working in collaboration with one another and following the IB Standards and Practices.

The IB/ MYP Program Model illustrates the three core elements of the Middle Years' program which SAMS has adopted: the eight subject areas, The Areas of Interaction and the Learner Profile.

1. The subject areas are Language A (English), Language B (Spanish, 1 semester in grades 6 & 7 and a full year in grade 8), Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Art (visual & performing), Technology (computer and design) and Humanities (Social Studies).
2. Areas of Interaction are the core elements of MYP, providing a lens through which learning takes place. They are the themes embedded into each of the eight subject areas. They allow connections between the subjects and between subjects and real-life issues. The Areas of Interaction are Approaches to Learning, Human Ingenuity, Health and Social Education, Community and Service, and Environment.
3. All IB programs across the world encourage students to become active and compassionate lifelong learners. To this end the Learner Profile expresses the characteristics which IB students strive to develop: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

Finally, the three fundamental concepts of the MYP, upon which all other elements are built, organize and shape the MYP and express its educational spirit. They are:

• Holistic View - to connect knowledge gained from individual subjects so issues can be considered in their widest scope
• Communication - to enable students to develop a command of language so they can clearly express ideas, attitudes and feelings. Acquiring additional languages similarly extends this competence.
• Intercultural Awareness - to awaken in young people an interest in and understanding of worldwide cultures. Students are encouraged to consider multiple perspectives, which in turn foster tolerance, respect and empathy for others.