Lehigh Valley Academy
Academics

Lehigh Valley Academy is an IBO World School having achieved authorization for IBO’s Primary Years Programme (PYP – grades K-5) and Diploma Programme (DP - grades 11-12). LVA has been accepted as a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme (MYP-grades 6 -10) and is currently working with IB mentors towards authorization.

The following content was obtained from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills for students aged 11-16 years. In its unique approach, this five-year Programme embraces yet transcends traditional school subjects. It represents a natural progression from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and serves as excellent preparation for the Diploma Programme (DP).

Intercultural awareness is central to the MYP. Like the DP and PYP, the MYP is based on the premise that education can foster understanding among young people around the world, so future generations can live together more peacefully and productively

Middle Year Programme Graphic
Middles Years Programme

The MYP Curriculum
The MYP provides a thorough study of various disciplines, including: Language A (English), Language B (Spanish), Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Arts, and Technology.

The Programme emphasizes the interrelation of these disciplines, acknowledging the role of the subject and trans disciplinary study. At the same time, the IBO respects the independence and integrity of each discipline.

Areas of Interaction
Forming the MYP core are five perspectives, or areas of interaction, that include:
Approaches to learning
Community and service
Health and social education
Environment
Homo faber

These pervade the five-year Programme, recurring through the eight subject groups but also through interdisciplinary teaching and projects, whole school activities, and the MYP personal project. The areas of interaction are not directly assessed nor awarded individual grades, since they are themes rather than subjects. However, they are indirectly assessed through the personal project.

Personal Project
The student’s involvement with the five areas of interaction culminates in a personal project. This independently completed work may be an essay, an artistic production, or other form of expression. The student and teacher work together to choose the topic.

Academic Disciplines: the subject groups
The emphasis is on a conceptual framework with objectives that are oriented towards skills and the learning process. The areas of interaction are addressed within these disciplines.

MYP Student Assessment
Teachers assess student work with guidance from the IBO according to prescribed, published criteria that state final levels of achievement in each discipline.

The MYP places special emphasis on formative assessment, which is used at different stages of the learning process to measure a student’s progress and make necessary adjustments to teaching plans and methods. Students are also involved in a formative self-assessment of their work, and they reflect on their own approaches to learning.

The Final Result – a portfolio of achievement
The student’s accomplishments, measured during the school’s assessment process, are recorded by the school in a portfolio of achievement. The IBO provides a portfolio for each student. It includes IBO documents, school papers and certificates that reflect the content and nature of the local Programme, and a student self-evaluation. In addition, it may contain academic results, information about community service, the personal project, extracurricular achievements, and student achievements in subjects not part of the MYP.

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