ISZL’s Middle School academic programme is designed to support growth and prepare students for an ever-changing world. Guided by the International Baccalaureate® Middle Years Programme (MYP), our approach goes beyond traditional academics, offering student-centred learning that helps every child succeed.
ISZL’s Learning Principles shape our approach, ensuring that learning is meaningful, relevant, and engaging. We encourage students to ask questions, reflect, and connect their learning to real-world challenges, developing critical thinking, creativity, and global perspectives.
Beyond the MYP, students explore a wide range of opportunities, from multilingualism and music to cross-curricular projects and hands-on experiences. These diverse pathways help them push boundaries while discovering new interests and developing their potential.
For more information about the Middle School Programme, please explore our Middle School Guide.
The Middle School Curriculum
Our programme is built on the principles of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), focusing on inquiry-based learning that connects real-world problems with classroom learning. This approach helps students understand and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
- Centred on the Learner: Every student brings their own unique set of skills and experiences. We empower them to take responsibility for their learning and growth.
- Meaningful: Our students engage with learning that is active, purposeful, and authentic. They connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
- Challenging: We maintain high expectations, encouraging students to reach their potential while keeping them engaged and motivated.
- Emotional: We support students in managing emotions and building empathy, ensuring they thrive both academically and socially.
- Informed by Assessment: Our assessment strategies provide valuable feedback to guide both students and teachers towards improvement.
- Connected: Learning is most effective when students collaborate and learn from each other, sharing ideas and perspectives to deepen their understanding.
ISZL’s Middle School offers a balanced, nurturing, and challenging environment that prepares students for lifelong learning.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
In the Middle School, students learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) are supported through a flexible programme that responds to their stage of development and growing independence.
At the early stages, students receive daily English lessons to build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. These lessons take the place of additional language classes. As their skills develop, support continues alongside their wider learning, with adjustments to help them access the full curriculum.
At the Intermediate stage, students continue to develop their English in place of Spanish or French, while building the confidence to engage more independently across subjects.
By the Advanced stage, students are fully engaged in their regular classes without formal EAL lessons, while their progress continues to be monitored. Throughout all phases, EAL teachers work closely with subject teachers to provide in-class support and thoughtful integration.
Learn more about EAL in the Student Support Services Handbook:
