The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

DISV has been an authorised IBMYP school since 2003. DISV believes that the MYP is the most appropriate means of addressing the needs of students in Grades 6 to 10 and fulfilling our Vision, Mission and Aims.

The IB MYP offers many advantages for students at DISV: 

• child-centred and enquiry based approaches to learning and teaching
• the provision of continuity in curriculum focus and delivery
• meaningful cross-curricular links in the teaching programme
• uninterrupted curricular provision for globally mobile students
• an international and global focus in the curriculum
• a broad and academically rigorous programme that exposes students to a wide range of subjects 

We use the IB MYP because its framework is flexible enough to allow us to tailor a programme to the needs of our students. Although the IBO provides a curriculum model for the MYP it allows our school the flexibility to meet the requirements of the Austrian Education Authorities so that, for example, students have access to the Matura and Matura equivalence.


Admission

Admission to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is open to students aged between 11 and 16 years who have usually completed about six years of primary education.

The curriculum is intended to offer students a broad academic, creative and active programme, whilst at the same time laying the foundations for success in the IB Diploma programme. Students are generally taught in a mixed ability year group.

Subjects offered
Language A
English A and/or German A
Language B
English B or German B, and either French B or Spanish B
Humanities
History and Geography
Sciences
General Science (grades 6 - 7), Biology, Chemistry and Physics (grades 8 - 10)
Mathematics
Mathematics
Technology
Information Technology and Design Technology
Arts
Art, Music and Drama
Physical education
Including health and fitness, individual and team sports

Five perspectives known as the areas of interaction are at the core of the MYP programme. These are: approaches to learning, community service, health and social education, environment, and homo faber. They are in all the subject areas and are present throughout the five years of the programme. Areas of interaction are common themes that tie the subject areas together. 

There is also a personal project in Grade 10. This is a significant piece of work which provides the opportunity for students to produce a truly creative piece of work of their choice and to demonstrate the skills they have developed in the areas of interaction.
The project may be in the form of an essay, science experiment, business plan, an artistic production or other form of expression, chosen in consultation with teachers.
The daily timetable begins with registration for students in their home room - a small group led by a tutor who is responsible for their pastoral and administrative care.

Academic classes continue through the morning and afternoon.  Later afternoon activities are made up primarily of sports and other activities.


Other Activities

All students are expected to participate in other activities on a regular basis.  They may opt for one or more from the many activities on offer each term. Examples of these activities in recent years in-clude: Drama, Dance, Music and Art.

Students are encouraged to participate actively in sports activities from the many available. Examples of sports offered in recent years include soccer, rugby, cricket, tennis, badminton, hockey, track and field athletics, volleyball, softball, basketball, netball, swimming and aerobics. 

There is also an extensive programme of school outings that include trips to outdoor pursuits centres in Austria.


Further information and course details are available from:

Matthew Thurstan
Secondary Vice-Principal (IB MYP Leader)

Danube International School Vienna
Secondary School

Josef-Gall-Gasse 2
1020 Wien
Tel.: +43 (0) 1 720 31 10-15
Fax: +43 (0) 1 720 31 10-40