Middle Years Programme

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed to teach students to become independent learners who can discover the relationships between school subjects and the world. The MYP emphasizes the study of traditional subject groups: English (Language A), French or Spanish (Language B), humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, technology, and physical education, as seen through the unique curriculum framework provided by the five Areas of Interaction: approaches to learning, community & service, human ingenuity, environments, and health & social education. Emphasis is on written and oral communication, acquisition of a second language, thematic and interdisciplinary units of study, as well as international-mindedness. Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, all sixth grade students zoned for Yorktown Middle School will be enrolled in the Middle Years Programme. Students not zoned for Yorktown Middle School may apply for entrance into the MYP.

All current fifth graders zoned for Yorktown Middle School will be enrolled automatically in the Middle Years Programme in sixth grade. YMS sixth and seventh graders are encouraged to apply for acceptance into the Middle Years Programme. Current fifth, sixth and seventh graders not zoned for Yorktown Middle School must submit an application in order to be eligible for the MYP lottery.

All current sixth and seventh graders must meet the following criteria prior to submitting a MYP application:

• minimum grade of a "B" in the first semester or most recent semester of his/her English class and math class
• a passing score (400 or above) on the English: Reading and on the math Standards of Learning assessments in the previous school year (or an equivalent achievement test from another state)
• good attendance and good citizenship

An application, available in each elementary and middle school as well as at the School Board Office, must be completed and submitted by the scheduled deadline each year. For students applying to the seventh or eighth grade Middle Years Programme for the school year, the application requires an essay explaining why you are interested in the Middle Years Programme, listing extracurricular activities in which you participate (school and/or community), and naming any awards/honors you have received in school. The applications of eldgible students will be grouped for random, lottery-style selection.