Middle School (Grades 6-8)

• Strong foundation: Builds a solid base in language and storytelling skills.
• Global exploration: Discovers myths from a variety of cultures, broadening knowledge.
• Critical thinking: Analyses classic literature (e.g., "The Phantom Tollbooth") to develop critical thinking.
• Real-world issues: Engages with non-fiction to understand real-world issues and foster informed citizens.
• Essential skills: Develops reading comprehension, communication, and collaboration through engaging activities and interactive learning.
• Lifelong appreciation: Nurtures a lifelong love for language and literature.

• Multilingual & intercultural: Develop Spanish B or French B proficiency while appreciating cultural heritage.
• Communication & literacy: Emphasises communication, literacy, and cultural appreciation through diverse texts and perspectives.
• Lifelong passion: Nurtures a lifelong love for language learning.
• Personalised learning: Offers flexibility to customise the language learning experience.

• Global exploration: Develops understanding of global perspectives and societal functions.
• Engaging subjects: Uses history, geography, and economics to build knowledge.
• Critical thinking: Sharpens analytical skills to tackle complex real-world issues.
• Inquiry-based learning: Fosters curiosity and independent exploration.
• Global citizenship: Equips students to interact with diverse cultures and contribute meaningfully.

• Inquiry-based learning: Explore science through hands-on activities and questions.
• Key skill development: Focuses on building curiosity, problem-solving, and scientific communication.
• Real-world connections: Shows how science relates to everyday life and global issues.
• Aligned with MYP Sciences: Follows a recognized science curriculum framework.

• Enjoys maths & critical thinking: Develops a positive attitude towards maths & critical thinking skills.
• Real-world application: Emphasises problem-solving in practical contexts.
• Ethics in maths: Explores the ethical considerations in mathematical work.
• Global & diverse: Highlights the international nature of maths and its contributions to various fields.

• Creative exploration: Develops creativity and personal expression through Visual Arts and Performing Arts (Music & Drama).
• Identity & skills: Explores self-identity and builds skills specific to each art discipline.
• Art & the world: Deepens understanding of the world and connections to art contexts.
• MYP 4 and 5 Specialisation (Grades 9 and 10): Option to specialise in Music, Drama, or Visual Arts, preparing for further study and fostering collaboration through integrated projects.

• Transformative Design: Explore the power of design and technology in our MYP Design programme. Through the design cycle, students innovate solutions with real-world impact, considering user needs and societal concerns.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Blend technology seamlessly into design processes for a holistic learning experience. Through interdisciplinary projects, develop problem-solving skills and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Innovation and Respect: Learn to understand how design shapes our world. Cultivate empathy and ethical awareness as you explore the connection between design and society.

• Promoting Balanced Lifestyles: Embrace balanced living through our Physical Health Education programme. Learn about nutrition, mental well-being, and physical activity for lifelong health.
• Learning Through Activity: Engage in various physical activities and sports to develop essential skills like collaboration and communication. Foster positive relationships on and off the field.
• Inquiry and Participation: Discover the value of physical activity through inquiry-based learning and active participation. Reflect on experiences to take charge of personal health and well-being.

At ISB, our Expeditions for grades 6-8 offer unique outdoor experiences that challenge students to grow beyond their comfort zones. Research shows that these adventures foster academic, emotional, and social well-being, complementing our in-school programmes focused on self-efficacy and resilience. Students explore Serbia’s natural environments on immersive trips. Our goal is to create authentic learning opportunities that merge the familiar with the unfamiliar.

Our Inquiry & Action programme, in Grades 6–10, nurtures fundamental IB Approaches to Learning skills, fostering critical thinking, research, communication, social awareness, and self-management. These skills are essential for success beyond secondary school. Our framework is grounded in the values of the Middle Years Programme (MYP), emphasising transdisciplinary learning across subjects. By integrating the MYP principles, we empower learners to thrive and grow, guided by the aspirational qualities of the IB learner profile. As IB learners, students are empowered to nurture their curiosity, develop skills for inquiry and research, and strive to be internationally-minded, curious, and responsible global citizens.

Our Student Support Services department includes a dedicated and well-resourced team of Learning Support Teachers, English as Additional Language Teachers, School Counsellors, as well as a Health Office. The student support services department also helps students navigate the complexities of the early teenage years by focusing on students’ self-awareness and self-regulation skills, as well as embracing mistakes as an inherent part of their growth journey.

In middle school, our English as an Additional Language (EAL) team focuses on enhancing the basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) while also working on students' cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP).

The learning support team offers in-class support and small group interventions, recommends classroom accommodations as well as develops positive behaviour and academic support plans where needed.

Through a team-based approach, the middle school counselling program supports the Middle Years Programme (MYP) objectives by helping students become respectful and enthusiastic lifelong learners and promoting students’ decision-making skills toward success. The counsellor also helps students navigate the complexities of the early teenage years by focusing on students’ self-awareness and self-regulation skills, as well as embracing mistakes as an inherent part of their growth journey.

• ISB's Homeroom Programme, prioritises the full and holistic development of your child. Through our internationally recognized Second Step SEL programme, students in Middle School (6 to 8) benefit from personalised support to become outstanding learners. With a 1 to 12 ratio of dedicated homeroom teachers to students, we ensure individualised attention and support, backed by our Welfare Coordinators, Curriculum Coordinators, and Student Support Services team, all focused on nurturing happy, healthy, and positive members of our community.
• Our homeroom programme is backed by a social and emotional learning curriculum, designed to promote the overall development of our students through the nurturing of emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, resilience, empathy, and decision-making. This curriculum guides students in exploring age-appropriate topics including bullying, emotional regulation, goal setting, and interpersonal relationships.

• At ISB, we integrate technology purposefully into our curriculum for grades 6-8, fostering digital literacy and lifelong learning skills. With a 1 to 1 iPad programme in grade 6 and 1 to 1 Google Chrome Books for grades 7 and 8, students showcase their learning and reflect on achievements. Our commitment to innovation extends to equipping classrooms with digital projectors and Apple TVs, introducing technologies like 3D printing, and providing professional development in Google Educational Suite for teachers.
• ISB is a proud Google Workspace school, providing access to the full suite of Google Applications for all staff and students. This further empowers our community to collaborate, learn, and innovate in a digital environment.

• Our middle school's MYP Service as Action programme emphasises community engagement at local and global levels. Students develop empathy, drive behavioural changes, and undertake projects independently and collaboratively. They participate in various service activities, from poverty relief to environmental conservation, and are encouraged to initiate their own projects. All students in grades 6-10 must engage in at least one Service as Action activity, fostering proactive community involvement and impactful contributions.