Dubai International Academy, Al Barsha is an IB World School, fully authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Programme. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.
MYP Results Summary 2023
For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a 5-year course of study designed to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of students between the ages of 11 and 16. It aims to provide students with a broad, traditional foundation of knowledge while offering students opportunities to develop sound judgments, make wise choices and respect others in the global community.
As can been seen in the model of the MYP below, the student is placed at the centre and is ultimately the beneficiary of a holistic programme that allows students to make sense of and connect their learning in individual subjects.
Students are encouraged to question and evaluate information critically, to seek out and authentically explore the links between subjects, and to develop an awareness of their role as global citizens. As such, intercultural awareness, effective communication and problem solving skills are seen as essential elements of preparing students for the 21st century and beyond.
The MYP builds upon skills and units of inquiry learning, developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is an excellent preparation for success in the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). The MYP also relies on connecting classroom pedagogical practices and content to the world outside through the Global Contexts and the IB Learner Profile.
MYP Subject Group Overviews
- DIAB - SGO - LANGUAGE & LITERATURE (English)
- DIAB - SGO - LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (Arabic B, French B and Spanish B)
- DIAB - SGO – MATHEMATICS
- DIAB - SGO - SCIENCES
- DIAB - SGO - I&S
- DIAB - SGO - DESIGN
- DIAB - SGO - ARTS
- DIAB - SGO - PHE
The MYP promotes a holistic view of learning. It requires an approach to teaching and learning that includes and extends beyond traditional school subjects.
The MYP offers a curriculum framework and courses that are broad and balanced, conceptual and connected. This enables students to engage with a defined set of key and related concepts that form the basis of their formative and summative assessments in each subject, and ensure the development of a rigorous curriculum.
The Global Contexts and Approaches to Learning and Teaching provide the MYP's main focus for developing authentic links between the disciplines, so that students are appropriately challenged to across the board to be internationally minded global citizens.
The subjects taught come under eight subject groups from Grade 6 to Grade 10.
| Subject Groups | Courses currently offered* |
|---|---|
| Language and Literature (1st language) | English, Arabic A for Arab students |
| Language Acquisition (2nd language) | French, Spanish, Arabic B |
| Individuals and Societies | Geography, History, Business, Economics |
| Design | Digital Design, Product Design |
| Mathematics | Standard Mathematics, Extended Mathematics |
| Arts | Visual Arts, Music and Drama |
| Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Physical Education | Physical & Health Education |
| Islamic Studies | Compulsory for all Muslim students |
*Courses offered may change depending on demand – please contact us for the latest updates.
The objectives of each subject group are skills-based and broad enough to allow for a variety of teaching and learning approaches. Criterion based assessment is applied.
The eight subject group objectives correspond to assessment criteria. Each criterion has nine possible levels of achievement (0–8), divided into four bands that generally represent limited (1–2); adequate (3–4); substantial (5–6); and excellent (7–8) performance.
Each band has its own unique descriptor that teachers use to make “best-fit” judgments about students’ progress and achievement.
Students involved in the MYP are eligible to receive a detailed portfolio showing all their achievements at school, including their attainment levels in each subject.
Projects
In Grade 10, students are required to submit a Personal Project, and in Grade 9 students are required to submit a Community Project. It is obligatory for students to complete Community and Service.
Subjects & Organization
Language and Literature is the student's best language. This language will be English at DIA Al Barsha as most of the subject areas will be taught in the above. Arabic A is taught as native language to Arab students.
Language Acquisition is an additional language and is the way that our students can communicate with the people of another linguistic community. It is also seen as being a gateway to understanding another community, which is fundamental to the concept of internationalism which the MYP.
Individual and Societies within the MYP consist of both History and Geography and are taught throughout the MYP. Business / Economics is offered as an option in year 10-11. Key concepts contained within the subjects are intended to provide the foundation for further study in many fields.
Mathematics sets out to give students an appreciation of the usefulness, power and beauty of the subject. One aspect of this is the awareness that mathematics is a universal language with diverse applications.
Sciences within the MYP aim to provide the student with both a body of knowledge and the understanding of the scientific approach to problem solving. Science thus becomes an important tool to investigate and understand the natural world.
The Arts subject group of the MYP curriculum encompasses visual and performing arts and is of particular interest in an international programme. The arts transcend the barriers of language and knowledge of other cultures through their artistic production and are one of the best ways to promote international understanding.
Design within the MYP aims at establishing the foundation for technological literacy and know-how. Students become aware of the practical solutions people have devised to satisfy their basic needs. Technology within the MYP is essentially concerned with solving problems in an effort to stimulate students' ingenuity and to encourage them to combine intellectual talents and practical skills. The programme intends to cultivate a healthy and active lifestyle for students and consequently advocates activities which are not only enjoyable but also contribute to healthy living.
Physical Education has a unique and significant contribution to make, since it aims to facilitate physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.
The MYP Global Contexts help MYP students develop an understanding of their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet through developmentally appropriate explorations of:
- Identities and relationships
- Personal and cultural identity
- Orientations in space and time
- Scientific and technical innovation
- Fairness and development