Middle School

WELCOME TO

IPS Macedonia is authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). IB schools share a common philosophy – a commitment to high quality, rigorous assessment and – a challenging international education that IPS Macedonia believes is important for our students.

In the Middle Years Program, International Baccalaureate places equal emphasis on eight subject areas: Language and literature (English language), Language acquisition (Macedonian language, German language, French language), Individuals and Societies (History, Geography), Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Mathematics, Arts (Music, Visual arts), Physical and health education, Design.

The MYP aims to foster the attitudes and actions of global citizens, nurture lifelong learning skills, and equip students to adapt to the challenges of an ever more complex world, combined with an academically rigorous program. Three fundamental principles underpin the MYP framework: holistic education, intercultural awareness and communication.

Holistic learning is based on the principle that all knowledge is interrelated and that the curriculum should cater to the development of the whole person, the attributes of whom are described by the IB Learner Profile. IPS stresses the importance of this principle by encouraging connections across disciplines and generating interdisciplinary activities whenever appropriate on both formal and informal levels. Each year, across grade levels and school-wide, we undertake a range of interdisciplinary investigations.

Intercultural awareness is based on the principle that school communities should encourage and promote international mindedness by engaging with and exploring worldwide cultures, a key feature of international education as reflected in the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. At IPS, we consistently focus our attention on cultures worldwide, working to help create a global community of learners. The study of our host country culture is infused throughout the MYP programme with frequent field trips to visit places of interest. Additionally, all MYP students are offered opportunities to become proactively involved in generating authentic goals and learning experiences in extended community service opportunities in Macedonia.

Communication is based on the principle that schools should encourage open and effective communication; important skills that contribute to international understanding as exemplified by the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

Why the Middle Years Programme?

MYP students are confident and independent in managing their learning

The MYP incorporates skills, helping students to learn how to learn. MYP students become aware of their learning strengths and weaknesses and they improve their skills in areas such as time management, communication, self-management, research, and thinking, as well as improving their social skills. Students in the MYP also engage in an extended “Personal Project” which teaches them to complete a project from a concept to a finished product, and to reflect on this process as well.

MYP students do better than non-IB students in higher order thinking skills such as analyzing and evaluating information

Teachers ask students to explain their reasoning and to use their research to support their opinion. Students continuously analyze the quality of their information and approach problems from different perspectives. They design their own experiments and challenge each other through discussions.

MYP students are better writers and researchers

Students in the MYP conduct hands-on research based on real world information and situations. They are taught to evaluate their sources and how to apply the information they find. Many projects are documented through written reports, with correct citation and bibliographies, and students regularly write reflections about the learning process and outcomes.

MYP students have better affective skills

Throughout the MYP students work on developing their emotional intelligence. They learn how to manage stress, overcome challenges and how to be more resilient. These skills are valuable throughout a student’s life.

MYP students understand how to transfer what they have learned to new situations

Students don’t just learn knowledge, but they also learn larger concepts. These concepts (such as identity, aesthetics, community, etc.) allow students to see the bigger picture of what they are learning and to use what they have learned in other situations helping them to understand their subjects in greater depth.