Middle Years Programme

The middle year program is designed for students aged 11 to 16.

The Middle Years Program is designed for students aged 11 to 16. The program is student centered and uses practical approaches to teaching to support students to develop healthy relationships, tackle personal change and make ethical choices. The program encourages students to become critical, creative and reflective individuals. It builds upon the skills, attitudes and knowledge developed in the IB PYP. The program has a holistic approach, encouraging students to excel academically and
putting a spotlight on personal growth.

And IB education offers high-quality programs that share a powerful vision:

  • Focuses on learners

The programs are centered around the students and encourage ethical responsibility, personal change and healthy relationships.

  • Develops practical approaches to learning

The program helps to develop skills needed for both personal and academic success by focusing on the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills clusters which are thinking skills, self-management skills, communication skills, research skills and social skills. These skill sets are developed across the different subject groups.

  • Works within global contexts

By exploring globally significant issues and ideas, we increase the understanding of cultures and languages. Students have the opportunity to explore the local context in Norway but also their home country and culture, as well as case studies from around the world.

  • Explores significant content

The curriculum is balanced, connected and broad. Students explore big ideas, or key concepts, across eight subject groups gaining knowledge and understanding on a wide range of topics through inquiry based learning experiences.

MYP at NLIS

The MYP is flexible

The program is flexible and accommodates most of the local and national curriculum requirements. The MYP aligns well with the Norwegian curriculum and at NLIS the LK20 learning goals are incorporated into our unit planning. The MYP builds upon the skills, attitudes and knowledge developed in the IB PYP and prepares students to meet the academic challenges later in school. We addressour students intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being and provide opportunities to develop the knowledge needed to take responsible actions in the future.

The program requires studying at least two languages to support you in understanding your own culture and those of others. This prepares you for further education and work.

The curriculum

The MYP consists of eight subject groups:

  • Language acquisition
  • Language and literature
  • Individuals and societies
  • Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Arts
  • Physical and health education
  • Design

The study is supported by a minimum of 50 hours of instruction per subject group in each academic year. To provide greater flexibility, you have the option to take courses from six of the eight subject groups in years 4 and 5.

The MYP aims to help you develop personal understanding, an emerging sense of self and responsibility in the community. The teachers organize the curriculum with appropriate attention to:

  • Teaching and learning in context
  • Conceptual understanding
  • Approaches to learning
  • Service as action
  • Language and identity

MYP at NLIS

Norlights International School adopted the IB MYP because the philosophy and objectives of this program reflect those of the school. In addition, the IB MYP:

  • At NLIS we have a counseling program that covers issues such as, developing healthy relationships with others, managing stress, tackling change, respect andtolerance and setting personal goals.
  • As part of our units in the MYP our students undertake a wide variety of authentic assignments to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during the unit.
  • At NLIS we also have a personal values development program – PPV. The PPV program focuses on social learning and interpersonal values which are essential elements of a well-rounded education and deserve as much attention as academics.
  • At NLIS our students study Spanish, Norwegian (language acquisition and language and literature are offered), English language and literature, Individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, visual art, music, PHE and digital design. Our students also participate in at least one interdisciplinary unit per year exploring the same statement of inquiry in two different subjects. This provides students with a unique opportunity to transfer disciplinary knowledge and apply it to new contexts
  • At NLIS we study three languages – English, Spanish and Norwegian. This prepares our students for further education and work.
  • At NLIS all our students complete two service as action projects each academic year. These projects can be school based such as serving on the Eco Committee, Student Council, PPV Committee or ATL Committee or they can be actions outside of school such as volunteering to teach a skill to others or volunteering for external
    organizations.
  • At NLIS our MYP program supports students to succeed no matter their future choices, in the MYP 5 year students are supported to make informed decisions about their future study options with alumni visits, informational sessions with the DP coordinator as well as external visitors from further education providers.
MYP at NLIS