MIDDLE SCHOOL AT ISI

The ISI Middle School represents the transitional years between elementary and high school. Grades 6 to 8 see students taking on new academic challenges and growing as responsible, independent thinkers.

The Upper School at ISI spans grades 6-12, with the Middle School containing grades 6-8. As Indiana’s only IB continuum World School, the Upper School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme for grades 6-10 followed by the prestigious IB Diploma Programme for grades 11-12.

ISI has chosen to be an IB continuum World School to provide a holistic education experience for our students that complements our approach to language learning and developing internationally minded students who are more than adequately prepared for tertiary education and making a positive contribution to society.

As the International Baccalaureate states, “Students at International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools are given a unique education. They will:

be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
take part in programmes of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world
become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language
be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

School Day

The high school starts its day at 8:00 a.m. and classes end at 3:30 p.m. The student-faculty ratio for high school is around 9:1. Classes are small, typically having between 12 and 16 students. In addition to academic classes the timetable contains an X Block period on three days of the week where students can participate in a range of clubs and activities within the school day.

Service as Action

Throughout the MYP in grades 6-8, students are required to take action when they apply what they are learning in the classroom and beyond and / or demonstrate a commitment to service - making a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. This may occur through action projects that arise from subject courses or involvement in the ISI’s service-learning opportunities.

Areas of Study

Language and Literature

Through studying MYP language and literature, students will show an increasing awareness of the power of language - both in their own and others’ language use. Students will be able to use and interpret language suitably for a variety of intentions and contexts. Students work with both familiar and previously unseen texts, in order to practise, develop and demonstrate their language and literature skills. Students engage with texts from different times, places, cultures, geographical regions, historical periods and perspectives.

Language and Literature is available in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Language Aquisition

Language Acquisition courses are available in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish at a range of skill levels.

The primary aim of Language Acquisition courses in the MYP is to encourage students to gain competence in a modern language other than their mother tongue, with the long-term goal of balanced bilingualism. Throughout the courses, students will cover everything from basic vocabulary and sentence structure to literary analysis.

Individuals and Societies

Students are exposed to perspectives from multiple disciplines to create, defend, and evaluate the history of the Universe and Universal change. Students engage in meaningful scientific inquiry and historical investigations by being able to hypothesize, form researchable questions, conduct research, revise one’s thinking, and present findings; the students will develop the important communication skills of writing, researching and presenting their material through a variety of assignments that promote critical thinking skills.

Projects are designed to cultivate a personal connection with the past that informs a critical perspective and a greater understanding of contemporary issues. In keeping with the IB Learner Profile, students are encouraged to examine subjects from different perspectives and develop the skills necessary to adapt to our rapidly changing world.

Sciences

Science courses in the MYP allows for learning through inquiry; this course encourages the development of not only scientific inquiry skills but also transferable thinking skills. The course aims to help students visualize the links between science and everyday life and the interactions between science and society. Content focuses on physics, chemistry and life science concepts including forces, ecology, cells, states of matter, and astronomy. The focus of the courses are based on four areas: knowing and understanding; inquiring and designing; processing and evaluating; and reflecting on the impact of science to solve a problem.

Mathematics

Arts & Design

In Middle School, students will spend a trimester in Visual Arts, Music, and Drama each year.

Visual Arts is an introductory art course that focuses on the development of a variety of art-making skills from drawing, painting, and sculpture. Students will develop an introductory understanding of the elements and principles of art, knowledge of art-making techniques, and art movements. An important part of this course is the Visual Arts Process Journal where students will practice art-making techniques, take notes, and reflect on their art making process. This class provides continuous new discoveries and allows for students to begin developing art-making skills.

In Music, students expand their knowledge and understanding of musical art forms through studying musical genres from various cultures including their own. Through engaging in practical music making on various musical instruments students demonstrate the ability to communicate musically and express artistic intentions solo and in small groups. Students are required to critically reflect on their artistic development and processes throughout the learning process and evaluate their work to inform their own artistic processes to benefit future learning. At this level curiosity and initiative are highly encouraged to nurture students’ interest in learning music.

The Drama course encourages universal human expression through the development of theatrical techniques. Students will begin developing knowledge of the theatre and its conventions while developing important elements of visual communication, including spatial awareness, facial expressions, and body language. This introductory course encourages curiosity, creativity, and imagination through collaborative exercises and performances rooted in culture as students work their way through fairytale tableaus and create their own soap operas for the stage. During this process, students experience what it means to respond appropriately to others both on the stage and in the audience, which promotes both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication and expression.

The Design course challenges students to apply practical and creative thinking skills to solve design problems, explore the role of design in both historical and contemporary contexts and consider their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action. Design focuses on a holistic design process rather than final products and solutions. The design process assesses four areas: inquiring and analysing; developing ideas; creating the solution; and evaluation of the product.

Physical and Health Education

Physical and Health Education courses offer students a balanced curriculum with opportunities to become multi-skilled by experimenting with the main sports groups of cultures around the world. The social aspect of collective sports activities allows students to develop autonomy and responsibility. Students develop approaches to learning that develop their self-confidence, as well as emotional and physical competency and collaboration. In keeping with the IB Learner Profile, students are encouraged to examine subjects from different perspectives and develop the skills necessary to adapt to our rapidly changing world.