CURRICULUM
Waldo International School offers a highly individualized learning experience for middle schoolers in 6th through 8th Grade, where each student’s talents, interests and goals are supported in preparation for high school. Waldo has one class each of 6th, 7th and 8th Grades, with no more than 16 students in each grade, enabling teachers to provide a boutique learning environment for students. Waldo is currently in the candidacy phase of offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). The MYP is a curriculum framework designed for learners aged 11–16. At Waldo, we offer the program for students in 6th through 8th Grades.
In an MYP classroom, students are at the center of learning. They draw connections between all subject areas and learning is explicitly linked to the world around them. MYP learning experiences infuse global points of view wherever possible in order to promote an understanding of other cultures, an awareness of the human condition and an understanding that there is a commonality of the human experience.
The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education. As students learn, they are also immersed in the four elements of IB— approaches to teaching, approaches to learning, global contexts and concepts. The eight subject groups are:
- Language and Literature
- Individuals and Societies
- Mathematics (Accelerated)
- Sciences (Life, Physical, and Earth)
- Physical and health education
- Language acquisition (Spanish)
- Arts (including Music, Fine Art, Drama and Public Speaking)
- Robotics and Design
SERVICE LEARNING
Community service is a major part of the middle school program. 6th and 7th Graders are required to volunteer in their local communities, and 8th Graders complete the community project. The community project provides an important opportunity for students to collaborate and pursue service learning. These projects are student-centered and age-appropriate, and they enable students to engage in practical explorations through a cycle of inquiry, action and reflection. As students become involved in the self-initiated and self-directed learning process, they will find it easier to construct in-depth knowledge on their topic, and develop an understanding of themselves as learners.
SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE
| Time | Class |
|---|---|
| 8:15 - 8:30 | Morning Drop-Off |
| 8:30 - 8:45 | Homeroom |
| 8:45 - 9:40 | Science Life, Physical, Earth |
| 9:45 - 10:40 | Accelerated Mathematics Grade 6: Accelerated Math 1 Grade 7: Accelerated Math 2 Grade 8: Algebra |
| 10:45 - 11:30 | Language and Literature |
| 11:30 - 12:15 | Lunch |
| 12:15 - 1:00 | Individuals and Societies History, Geography, Civics, Economics |
| 1:00 - 1:55 | Specialist Class Drama and Public Speaking, Robotics and Design (2x week), Music, Fine Arts, Spanish (2x week), Physical Education |
| 2:00 - 2:55 | Specialist Class Drama and Public Speaking, Robotics and Design (2x week), Music, Fine Arts, Spanish (2x week), Physical Education |
| 3:00 - 3:15 | Full Day Dismissal |