IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Our Grade 6 to 10 curriculum follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). In addition to this, the school offers Jewish Studies and International Studies curricula.

The IB MYP is a world-recognised student accreditation. The main premise of the programme is to produce global citizens who are effective communicators and active lifelong learners. The use of the student learner profile allows for the development of self-awareness, self-esteem and self-motivation to promote independent learning. The programme incorporates the use of criteria-based assessments that highlight the strengths of each student. Each student is graded on a seven point scale, with higher levels indicating a greater mastery of the skills and concepts covered in the subject coursework.

The curriculum used has been developed to provide each student with the prerequisite skills and knowledge to allow them a seamless entry into the Diploma Programme. The MYP prepares students for the DP by reflecting the depth, breadth and balance that is characteristic of all IB programmes. As they move through educational systems and schools structures, students benefit from the consistent educational aims, clear pathways for progression through academic disciplines, and shared approaches to teaching of the MYP and DP. In a developmentally crucial period, this alignment helps students flourish personally and academically.

In the final two years of the MYP—as they anticipate the DP– students and their families work with the School to make important decisions about subject choices, qualifications and university options.

More about the MYP at Carmel School

Course selection

Personal Project

The Personal Project is a significant body of work produced over an extended period during MYP 5. It is a product of students' own initiative and should reflect their experience of the MYP. The personal project holds a very important place in the programme, and serves as an excellent bridge to the self-directed learning attitude required for success at Diploma level.

Jewish Studies

The learning atmosphere is distinguished by mutual respect, lively interaction, and the encouragement of intellectual curiosity and independent thinking. The distinctive curriculum provides an unparalleled grounding and a unique academic challenge. Catering to all families within the community regardless of religious background or experience, programmes are delivered with sensitivity and creativity by carefully selected educators following a traditional Modern Orthodox approach.

Students learn to integrate Jewish values with the contemporary challenges of growing into adulthood. The curriculum includes Tefillah (prayer), Torah text studies from the Chumash through the Tanach, Mishnah and Talmud, Halacha, Minhagim (laws and customs), Jewish ethics, and the Hebrew language. Also core to the curriculum is the teaching of a love for, and an appreciation of, the State and Land of Israel and the role that it has, and will continue to play, in the history of the Jewish people.

International Studies

Elsa High School welcomes all students regardless of faith or background. A rigorous World Views course is provided for our international stream in order to extend knowledge and understanding of political and economic systems with a strong emphasis on historical and geographical perspectives. The programme emphasises real-world contexts, and aims to develop the compassionate, critical, and globally minded leaders of the 21st century.

Service and Action

Students from Grades 6-10 take part in Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) and Service and Action (SaA) throughout the year. Service and Action at Carmel School allows students to be engaged in Local, International and Jewish Service opportunities.

Students from Grades 6 through 10 meet in their Service-based programmes to plan fund-raising strategies and events. as part of the IB MYP. Known as Service as Action (SaA), it is undertaken every Wednesday afternoon. This is an entirely student-driven enterprise, with the support offered from teachers and each group's chosen Non-Governmental Body.

At the beginning of the academic year, students set out their goals use Managebac to track and document their progress throughout the year. SaA is great preparation for the students as they continue on to the IB Diploma Programme after MYP, where a core component is Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).