Middle Years Programme (MYP) at KEIS

Ages 12 to 17 — Middle School & Secondary School (Grades 7–11)

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) at KEIS is a five-year framework for students aged 12 to 17, spanning Grades 7 to 11. It is designed for the most intellectually formative years of adolescence — a time when young people are ready to grapple with complex ideas, make connections across disciplines and begin to see themselves as global citizens with a voice and a role in the world.

The MYP challenges students to go beyond surface-level knowledge. It develops the critical thinking skills, research habits and self-management capabilities that students need to succeed at university and in life. KEIS received full IB MYP authorisation in 2025.

What Makes the MYP Different?

The MYP is concept-based and interdisciplinary. Rather than memorising facts in isolated subjects, students explore key concepts — ideas like Identity, Change, Relationships, Fairness, Creativity and Systems — and examine how they appear across different disciplines simultaneously. A concept like ‘Change’ might be explored in science (chemical reactions), in history (social movements) and in language (how a novel’s character evolves) — all within the same connected unit.

This approach develops genuine intellectual flexibility: the ability to transfer understanding between fields, synthesise knowledge from multiple sources and think about problems from more than one perspective. These are precisely the skills that elite universities and employers look for, and that the IB Diploma Programme demands.

At KEIS, the MYP is delivered by qualified international subject specialists in a student-centred, project-rich environment. Teachers act as guides and facilitators — presenting rigorous content while fostering independent thinking and genuine curiosity. Students are active participants in their learning, not passive recipients of information.

Subjects in the MYP

MYP students at KEIS study nine subjects, covering all IB MYP subject groups. Contact hours are structured to ensure both depth and breadth across all disciplines:

• English Language and Literature (5 hrs/week) — primary language of instruction throughout all years
• Slovak Language and Literature / Slovak Language Acquisition (4 hrs/week) — for native and non-native Slovak speakers respectively
• Spanish Language Acquisition (3 hrs/week) — building communicative proficiency and intercultural understanding
• Mathematics (5 hrs/week) — developing logical reasoning and real-world problem-solving
• Integrated Sciences (4–6 hrs/week, increasing through MYP4) — physics, biology and chemistry through inquiry and experimentation
• Individuals and Societies (3–4 hrs/week) — geography, history, civics, economics, business, psychology, sociology and philosophy through analytical inquiry
• Visual Arts (2 hrs/week) — creative expression, aesthetic understanding and artistic practice
• Physical and Health Education (2 hrs/week) — active lifestyles, teamwork, sport and wellbeing
• Design (2 hrs/week) — students work through the IB Design Cycle: a structured four-stage process of Inquiring and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution, and Evaluating. This cycle drives all design thinking and making at KEIS, from digital products to physical prototypes, developing systematic problem-solving skills applicable across disciplines

The breadth of this subject range ensures a genuinely holistic education. As students progress through the MYP, the depth of each subject increases and interdisciplinary connections become more sophisticated. All MYP students also participate in Approaches to Life and Learning (ALL) — a dedicated weekly course that explicitly develops life skills, study habits and 21st-century competencies.

Approaches to Learning (ATL Skills)

One of the most distinctive features of the MYP is its explicit focus on Approaches to Learning (ATL) — a framework of five skill categories that underpin success across all subjects and throughout life:

• Thinking skills — critical thinking, creative thinking, transfer of knowledge and reflection
• Research skills — information literacy, media literacy, identifying reliable sources and ethical use of information
• Communication skills — reading, writing, listening, speaking and digital communication
• Social skills — collaboration, respecting others, conflict resolution and leadership
• Self-management skills — organisation, time management, resilience and emotional regulation

ATL skills are not an add-on at KEIS — they are embedded into every subject. Teachers deliberately plan learning activities and assessments that develop these skills alongside subject-specific content. By the end of MYP, students are genuinely equipped to be independent, self-directed learners — ready for the demands of the IB Diploma Programme.

Assessment in the MYP

Continuous and Transparent

At KEIS, students are never surprised by assessments. Teachers plan all major assessments in advance and share the date, format and criteria with students beforehand. Exam and project deadlines are coordinated between teachers to respect student wellbeing. Assessment takes many forms: written essays, research projects, scientific experiments, laboratory reports, oral presentations, practical demonstrations, e-presentations, portfolios, 3D design products and work outside the classroom.

Formative and Summative

Throughout each subject unit, students receive continuous formative assessment — ongoing feedback that helps them understand what they are doing well and where to improve. At the end of each unit (2–4 times per year per subject), students complete a summative assessment. All summative assessments use the IB 1–8 formative scale, while IB Term Reports use the 1–7 scale.

Progress Reports and Term Reports

Twice per year (November and April), families receive written Progress Reports in which teachers comment on each student’s development and recommend areas for focus. At the end of January and June, families receive IB Term Reports with a final subject grade. At the end of each school year, official Slovak report cards (vysvedčenie) with subject grades are also issued.

MYP Assessment — At a Glance

The MYP Personal Project (MYP5 – Grade 11)

In Grade 11, every student completes the Personal Project — an ambitious, self-directed research and creation project spanning the entire school year. Students choose their own topic driven by personal interest, develop a research question, create a product or outcome, and reflect deeply on the process in a formal report. The Personal Project is externally assessed by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

The Personal Project is a significant academic milestone. It directly develops the independent research, time management and academic writing skills that the DP Extended Essay and university study require. For many students, it is their most meaningful and rewarding school experience.

English Language Support

The MYP at KEIS is delivered entirely in English. In the lower years of MYP (Grades 7–9, MYP 1–3), students who join without sufficient English receive dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) support integrated into the school day. Our international teachers are experienced in differentiating instruction for multilingual classrooms, and small class sizes ensure individual attention.

From MYP 4 (Grade 10) onwards, a sufficient level of English proficiency is required to access all subjects at the appropriate academic level. This proficiency is assessed as part of the entry process for students applying to join at MYP 4 or above. Students already progressing through KEIS from lower MYP years will have developed the necessary English foundation through their studies.

Slovak Language is taught as a dedicated subject throughout all MYP years — native speakers take Slovak Language & Literature; non-native speakers take Slovak Language Acquisition.

Technology and Curriculum Delivery

Every MYP student has access to a school-provided iPad or laptop. From MYP 4 onwards, students may also use their own personal device in line with the KEIS BYOD Policy. All classrooms are equipped with multi-touch interactive displays or Apple TV systems. KEIS provides access to a curated selection of educational applications, databases and digital tools for learning across all subjects. Teachers also have access to virtual reality (VR) and 3D printing equipment for use in relevant subject areas. Academic integrity is central to MYP learning — students are educated in proper citation practices and all written work is verified through anti-plagiarism software.

Pathway to the Diploma Programme

The MYP is specifically designed as the bridge between Primary School and the IB Diploma Programme. Students who complete MYP 5 (Grade 11) at KEIS with satisfactory results are eligible to progress directly into the DP, starting from school year 2026/27.

The MYP prepares students for the DP in very concrete ways:

• The Personal Project (MYP 5) develops the independent research and academic writing skills required for the DP Extended Essay
• ATL skills — particularly self-management, research and thinking — are the exact toolkit DP students use every day
• Concept-based, interdisciplinary thinking in MYP directly prepares students for the analytical depth of DP subject courses
• The IB 1–7 grading scale is the same in both MYP and DP, making the transition in assessment expectations smooth
• Subject choice in the final MYP year is guided by DP subject requirements and future university pathway planning

Students from other schools wishing to enter the DP directly at KEIS should see the Diploma Programme page for entry requirements and the admissions process.

Frequently Asked Questions — MYP

Q: My child is joining from a Slovak school in Grade 7 with limited English. Is that realistic?

It is challenging but entirely possible, especially in the earlier MYP years (Grades 7–8). KEIS has successfully integrated Slovak-speaking students at this stage with dedicated EAL support, differentiated teaching and a very supportive international peer community. We recommend an early conversation with our admissions team to assess the individual situation and plan appropriate support.

Q: How does the IB 1–7 grading scale relate to Slovak grades?

The IB uses a 1–7 scale where 7 is the highest achievement. For reference purposes on Slovak report cards: IB grades 6–7 correspond roughly to Slovak grade 1 (výborný); 5-4 to grade 2; 3 to grade 3; and so on. However, the IB grading system is criterion-referenced (measuring against international standards) rather than norm-referenced (ranking against classmates), which makes direct conversion approximate. We explain this clearly to all families at the start of the year.

Q: What is the Personal Project and why is it important?

The Personal Project is the culminating assessment of the MYP, completed in Grade 11. Each student independently selects a topic of genuine personal interest, conducts research, creates a product or outcome, and reflects on the entire process in a formal report assessed externally by the IBO. It is important because it demonstrates independent research skills, time management, self-direction and academic writing — all essential for success in the DP and at university.

Q: Can my child transition from MYP to the IB Diploma Programme?

Yes — this is exactly what the MYP is designed for. Students completing MYP 5 (Grade 11) at KEIS with satisfactory grades are eligible to progress directly into the IB Diploma Programme. Students must achieve at least a grade 4 in all subjects and a grade 3 in the Personal Project; higher-level DP subjects require a consistent grade 5.

Q: Are assessments at KEIS very stressful for students?

KEIS takes student wellbeing seriously. All assessments are communicated in advance — students always know the date, format and criteria. Teacher deadlines are coordinated to avoid bunching. The Approaches to Life and Learning (ALL) course explicitly teaches students how to manage study time, workload and stress. Formative assessment throughout the year means students are never dependent on a single high-stakes exam.

Q: Does KEIS offer Spanish from the start of MYP?

Yes. Spanish Language Acquisition is a core MYP subject at KEIS from Grade 7, building on the Spanish introduced in Primary School from Grade 3. By the end of MYP, students have several years of Spanish language study and are well positioned to continue to IB DP level or beyond.

Q: What happens if my family relocates mid-year? Can my child join KEIS partway through a school year?

Yes. KEIS welcomes students throughout the year, subject to available places. We are specifically designed as an international school to accommodate internationally mobile families. Please contact our admissions team as early as possible to discuss your child’s situation and arrange a visit.