THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

SGIS is not about obtaining the best marks, but about getting students to be the best they can be. We seek to develop students as individuals who achieve their full potential. The progression from Elementary to Middle School curriculum is smooth. ICSE Lower Secondary develops learners’ skills and understanding in Mathematics, English and Science for the first three years of secondary education. It also provides excellent preparation for ICSE IGCSE and the IB program. Externally created and assessed, ICSE Checkpoint exams in Math, English, and Science are requisites of the Middle School program. These standardized tests are held in the spring of Grade 8. Students from Grades 6-8 sit the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) tests twice per year, once in the fall and again in the spring, to determine their yearly growth. Grade 8 sits only the fall MAP session.

ICSE Pattern

For English, Math and Science, we follow the ICSE Lower Secondary program. This is a continuation of the ICSE Primary Program offered in Elementary School so that the transition is seamless. Externally created and assessed, ICSE Checkpoint Exams occur at the end of Grade 8. Assessment, evaluation and reporting are based on clearly stated curriculum expectations and achievement criteria: skills acquired, developed, and then mastered.

HOW WE WORK

Subjet teacher specialists create a learning environment conducive of a transformative learning process, in which students develop Conceptual understanding, Competencies and Character (the 3C’s). Students, guided by teachers, set their own goals and are encouraged to show their learning in many different ways – not just with tests and quizzes, but through presentations, peer assessment and demonstrations to name but a few. Twice a year, student-led conferences are opportunities for middle schoolers to show their learning and levels of achievement of their goals. Hence at SGIS, students ‘own’ their learning progress and are more ‘invested’ as a result.

THE CONTEXTUAL CONNECT

Contextual Learning (CL) is at the core of the MS learning experience, with students taking one month out of the year to learn away from the classroom. Each grade has a theme that they follow as part of all their CL activities. The CL activities connect local organisations and students to develop common projects to impact the world positively according to the 2020 UN SDG’s. We have three separate excursions that go out each year to various parts of South and North India. To learn more about CL, please refer to our brochure on the subject.