International Baccalaureate
What is the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)?
St. Louis Park Middle School is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). All 6th - 8th grade students participate in the MYP.
The MYP accommodates most national or local curriculum requirements, builds upon the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), and prepares students for the challenges of the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC).
IB-MYP provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and to become critical and reflective thinkers. In the final year of the program, students also engage in a personal project, through which they will demonstrate the understandings and skills they have developed throughout the program.
How is the Middle Years Programme Unique?
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We encourage international-mindedness in IB MYP students, starting with a foundation in their own language and culture.
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We encourage a positive attitude to learning by challenging students to solve problems, show creativity and resourcefulness, and participate actively in their communities.
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We reflect real life by providing a framework that allows students to see the connections among the subjects themselves, and between the subjects and real issues.
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We support the development of communication skills to encourage inquiry, understanding, language acquisition, and to allow student reflection and expression.
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Through the learner profile, we emphasize the development of the whole student – physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.
Students will enroll in eight subjects each year, developing their IB learner profile attributes, and reflecting on a variety of learning skills.
IB in Action!
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Interdisciplinary learning offers real-life context along with other numerous benefits, including fostering critical thinking, promoting collaboration, enhancing creativity and providing a broader understanding of complex issues. These past weeks 8th graders worked on an interdisciplinary unit in their Science and Individuals & Societies classes, called "Here Comes the Sun" where they engaged in understanding a global health issue that needed solving in order to "make the world a better place". This unit involved a REM5 on-campus field trip where they were engaged in a case study that was a communications challenge where they were inquiring on the question "What do YOU think the solution is?" |
Real-Life context learning in an IB World school often connects a students' personal lived experiences and/or a real life context, either local or global. 7th graders are currently engaged in their Ecology unit. Students learned these concepts in class but were also able to apply their learning in an outdoor context.
Three Approaches to Teaching in Action
7th and 8th grade Student Advisory Board members gathered to share their perspectives on tardies and suggest ideas for a Middle School policy.
Students built on each other’s experiences and offered thoughtful, critical feedback. “They were amazing!” said staff, impressed by the students’ collaboration and insight.
Anupriya and Abigail wanted to help younger students feel more comfortable learning about periods. They partnered with School Nurse Jeanelle Rasmussen and, after a scheduling pivot, presented to 6th grade Advisories, sharing experiences and giving out care bags.
“We had to learn how to problem solve and adapt.”
The 8th grade students had the opportunity to inspire the 6th and 7th grade students recently by sharing their Community Projects with them.
The concepts of community, diversity, inclusion, compassion, and culturally relevant practices permeate and frame the work of all members in the school community.
International Baccalaureate Evaluation Fall 2023
Contact Information:
Mia Waldera, IB-MYP Coordinator
Phone: 952-928-6349
Email: waldera.mia@slpschools.org