The curriculum for Middle School is designed to provide the foundation for students who will pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, through emphasis on discovery, investigation, and skills-based courses. Middle School students take eight subjects each semester. English, Science, Math, Social Science, Foreign Language (Grade 7 and 8) and Physical Education are all required, full year courses. Religious Studies, Information and Computer Technology (ICT), Art and Music are all one semester courses.
The curriculum is increasingly literature based, with an emphasis on effective reading of different genres (short story, novel and poetry). The goal of the Middle
School program is to lay a sound foundation of literature appreciation and language application.
Students will also be involved in research. Performance is important in developing a student’s confidence and rhetoric skills. Presentation of creative and analytical
work is a regular feature of these classes.
Middle School years continue to develop an integrated approach to Math covering topics including number, shape, space and measure, algebra, and data handling.
Emphasis is placed on mastering basics, using and applying mathematics, communicating mathematically, and reasoning. The approach to all topics is investigative, encouraging students to seek solutions using a range of strategies, rather than a single formulative approach.
Grade 6 pays particular attention to the history and geography of Latin America and Africa in the first and second semesters respectively.
Grade 7 introduces students to archaeology, the study of early man, and the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India.
Grade 8 looks closely at other empires of the ancient world particularly Greece and Rome. In addition, students will study the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the early modern times.
The aim of the MS program is to provide students with a sound understanding of the concepts, principles, and applications of Science in the modern world. Aspects
of the chemical, earth, life, and physical sciences are all covered and emphasis is placed on learning through experimental and investigative methods.
These are introductory courses intended for students who are non-native speakers of the language or who have little or no prior knowledge of the target language.
Students in Grade 7 are introduced to Filipino or Mandarin. They are given activities that help develop the four macro skills of writing, speaking, listening, and
reading. These subjects may be continued through to the International Baccalaureate Program in Grades 11 and 12.
Grade 6 is focused on the early foundations of the Judeo-Christian traditions, particularly on the Covenant entered into by God with His people.
Grade 7 is focused on the teachings of Jesus, particularly on the Beatitudes.
Grade 8 focuses on World Religions: still continuing with the Judeo-Christian tradition, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Sikhism. Integration of World Religions helps build an appreciation and balance of multiple perspectives of the diverse, globalized world we live in and the different cultures that should be celebrated and respected throughout the world.
Individual and team sports and skills are taught to encourage a lifelong enjoyment of physical activities. Regular fitness testing allows students to check their individual progress throughout the year. In Health, the 6th Grade curriculum focuses on healthy eating habits, nutrition and diseases. The 7th Grade examines basic resuscitation and first aid along with human reproduction and substance abuse. The 8th Grade learns about healthy sexual behavior, physical fitness & wellness as well as the use, misuse, and abuse of drugs.
In order to stay up to date with fast-evolving technology, the computer labs are now equipped with Apple iMacs. The apple platform is favored by many educational
institutions and creative filmmakers worldwide for its ease of use and powerful multimedia capabilities. The latest software such as Adobe Creative Suite comes
installed in every iMac. Students are encouraged in all their classes to use their growing ICT knowledge in effective research and production of subject projects.
Art is essentially project-based at these levels and encompasses the basic elements and principles of drawing, painting, composition, sketching, studio experimentation, multimedia projects, art ,and art history appreciation. Students experience three dimensional work and are taught the processes used in
graphic design, ranging from product design to building design and advertising. All projects are intended to encourage individual expression and thought.
Students continue learning the basics of several instruments, focusing on concepts such as rhythm and melody, texture, harmony, form and expressive elements such as timbre, dynamics, and tempo.
Of interest is the formation of a chamber orchestra that has a number of performance opportunities throughout the school year. Support is given to the members of this orchestra by engaging the services of applied music teachers.
The ESL program continues in Grades 6 – 8 with students progressively mainstreamed into classes. Assessments are modified to allow for longer reading and
response times, while the assessment language is often modified.
The expectation for each student is that they will exit the ESL program within two to three years.
Under the Social and Emotional Learning Program for Grades 7-8, students undergo six sessions: I. How Our Brains Work, II. Mindful Awareness, III. Perspective
Taking, IV. Choosing Optimism, V. Being Grateful, VI. Performing Acts of Kindness.
All Middle School students are placed into Homeroom classes that meet briefly each morning. During this time, teachers serve as mentors and have the opportunity to get to know their students outside of assessed, academic areas. The Homeroom teacher also serves as the immediate point of contact for general communication between home and school. Teachers conduct attendance and read morning announcements.