IB Middle Years Program

At Harrow International School New York, our English Language & Literature programme is designed to develop thinkers who see texts as part of a global literary landscape. Within the framework of the MYP, students explore literary genres, ideas, and time periods through concept-based inquiry and close textual reading for meaning.

Our curriculum follows a broadly historical pathway, moving from Classical Literature to Modernism, and explores a multitude of forms: novels, plays, poems, and a host of non-fiction styles. As a truly international curriculum, students meet the best that the literary world stage has to offer, before bringing this knowledge, experience, and cultural sensitivity to American Literature. Progress is guided through the four MYP criteria: Analysing, Organizing, Producing Text, and Using Language. Students are able to showcase their knowledge in a variety of forms: extended essay writing, creative pieces, and oral presentations. This well-rounded approach supports the development of conversational skills, and shared problem solving, while always pushing for more nuanced understanding, analysis, and evaluation.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Language & Literature Subject Brief.

The World Languages curriculum at Harrow International School New York aims to produce confident communicators, avid language learners, and internationally minded global citizens. Students will learn to communicate in Spanish or Mandarin and gain a broad range of language, with lessons strongly focused on building communicative competency through practice in real-world situations. However, the course aims much further than this. Students will develop strong oracy skills across their languages, developing their ability to speak and argue eloquently before their peers, as well as the ability to write for a range of audiences. They will learn the fundamental skills of how to understand and use a foreign language, as well as gaining a sense of success in their ability to communicate in their chosen language; this will equip them with both the ability and the motivation to learn any language they may need to in their future lives.

Finally, students’ language learning is set in the context of the culture, history and society of the countries where the language is spoken, providing broad interdisciplinary knowledge. In this way, we aim to inspire students’ interest in other cultures and places, and to help them to relate to and collaborate with people from around the world.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Language Acquisition Subject Brief.

At Harrow International School New York, our Individuals and Societies program is designed to develop curious, informed, and reflective learners who can think critically about the world around them and their role within it. Through the framework of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP), students explore historical, geographical, political and economic concepts through inquiry and conceptual understanding.

Our curriculum explores many key themes, geographic locations and current global issues, allowing students to revisit and deepen their knowledge of the key ideas over time while making connections between people, places, and societies. Progress is guided through the four MYP criteria: Knowledge and Understanding, Investigating, Communicating, and Thinking Critically, supporting the development of analytical skills, global awareness, and the ability to evaluate different perspectives with confidence and empathy.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Individuals & Societies Subject Brief.

At Harrow International School New York, our science programme is driven by the exploration of real-world phenomena that spark curiosity and sustained inquiry. Students are encouraged to take risks by asking meaningful scientific questions, design and carry out investigations, analyse data critically, and construct evidence-based arguments to communicate their conclusions. As they go through this process of discovery, they learn to be open-minded and reflective. The process creates problem solvers who approach research methodically,  and apply scientific understanding across diverse contexts. Emphasis is also placed on ensuring students understand how the concepts relate to global issues. The programme is interdisciplinary in nature which emphasizes the connectedness of learning.

Aligned with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP), our approach to science emphasizes conceptual understanding and the development of key scientific skills that are transferable to IBDP. Students engage deeply with the MYP framework, building their ability to investigate, evaluate evidence, and communicate scientific ideas with clarity and precision.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Sciences Subject Brief.

At Harrow International School New York, our Mathematics programme is designed to develop confident, inquisitive, and reflective learners who can think critically and apply mathematics across a range of contexts. Through the framework of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP), students explore mathematical ideas through inquiry, conceptual understanding and developing the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and make meaningful connections across different areas of mathematics. A strong emphasis is placed on relating learning to real-world applications, ensuring students not only develop mathematical thinking, but also understand how their knowledge can be applied to authentic situations where understanding leads to informed action.

Our curriculum follows a spiral approach that reflects a truly international curriculum, allowing students to revisit and deepen key concepts over time. Progress is guided through the four MYP criteria: Knowing & Understanding, Investigating Patterns, Communicating, and Applying Mathematics in Real-Life Contexts, supporting the development of analytical thinking and confident problem solving.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Mathematics Subject Brief.

The Arts at Harrow International School New York give students space to explore their creativity, develop technical skill, and understand how artistic expression shapes communities and cultures. Within the MYP framework, students investigate how artists communicate ideas, respond to the world around them, and make purposeful choices in both process and product.

Student progress is guided by the four MYP Arts criteria: Knowing and Understanding, Developing Skills, Thinking Creatively, and Responding. Our curriculum brings together visual and performing arts, encouraging students to experiment, collaborate, and reflect as they work with a range of materials, tools, and performance practices. Through this work, students develop insight and empathy as they encounter diverse artistic traditions, building artistic fluency, engaging in meaningful critique, and articulating the intentions behind their own creative choices. Whether composing music, designing a set, or developing a mixed media piece, students learn to make informed artistic decisions and communicate with clarity.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Arts Subject Brief.

At Harrow International School New York, the Physical and Health Education programme encourages students to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to lead active, balanced, and healthy lives. Through the framework of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP), students engage in a wide range of physical activities and health-related learning experiences that promote collaboration, resilience, personal growth, and lifelong wellbeing.

Our curriculum follows an inquiry-based and concept-driven approach, allowing students to build confidence and competence through individual and team activities, fitness and wellness education, and reflective practice. Progress is guided through the four MYP criteria: Knowing & Understanding, Planning for Performance, Applying & Performing, and Reflecting & Improving Performance. Students are encouraged to set goals, think critically about their development, and apply skills and strategies across a variety of physical and health contexts while embodying the values of teamwork, respect, and perseverance.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's PHE Subject Brief.

At Harrow International School New York, our Design programme is designed to develop inquiring, creative, and resilient learners who can respond thoughtfully to real-world challenges. Rooted in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP), students engage with the iterative Design Cycle, which underpins all learning and encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and innovation. Students explore both digital and product design, developing technical skills alongside critical and creative thinking, while learning to communicate ideas effectively. A strong emphasis is placed on human-centered design, ensuring that solutions are purposeful, ethical, and responsive to authentic needs and contexts. Our curriculum follows a spiral approach, allowing students to revisit and refine their understanding while deepening conceptual knowledge over time.

Assessment is an ongoing process, which is guided through the following criteria: Inquiring and Analyzing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution, and Evaluating the Solution. This supports students in becoming reflective designers who can take informed action at all stages of their design as well as reflecting critically of their decisions.

For more information, please click here to see the IB's Design Subject Brief.