International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How many subjectsdo students have each day? How long does each period last?
    All Middle School students have eight 85 minute classes in a four by four block schedule. They have:
  • Annual courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language A (Language Arts),Language B (Spanish or Portuguese), Humanities and Language B Humanities
  • Semester courses in Approaches to Learning (ATL), Technology, Physical Education and Arts.
  • Intensive Reading and Mathematics classes are provided to students who need reinforcement based on the Florida Comprehensive Tests (FCAT) results.
  • Gifted students may take an Advanced Academics class in lieu of a Technology/Approaches to Learning (ATL) class.

MYP Schedule
(85 minute periods)
Odd Day / Even Day / Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Homeroom / 8:30 am – 8:40 am
1 / 2 / 8:42 am – 10:07 am
3 / 4 / 10:09 am – 11:34 am
LUNCH / 11:36 am – 12:06 pm
5 / 6 /
  1. 12:08 pm – 1:33 pm

7 / 8 / 1:35 pm – 3:00 pm
Wednesday Schedule
(60 minute periods)
Extended Homeroom / 8:30 am – 9:20 am
1 / 2 / 9:22 am – 10:22 am
3 / 4 / 10:24 am – 11:24 am
5 / 6 / 11:26 am – 12:26 pm
LUNCH / 12:28 pm – 12:58 pm
7 / 8 / 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
  1. Does each subject offer different levels? Which subjects have advanced classes? Who decides where your child is placed?
  • Regular and Advanced Language Arts classes are offered at each grade level. To be placed in the Advanced class students must score 4 or higher on the FCAT.
  • Students with scores of 1 and 2 on the FCAT are required by the State of Florida to take an intensive class in reading or mathematics.
  • All mathematics classes are offered at an advanced level.
  1. Is International Studies (IS) mandatory or is it offered after school?
  • Students who have an advanced level in Spanish are enrolled in the IS for International Studies course. It is one of their eight period, therefore all students finish at the same time in the afternoon
  • Students are enrolled in the IS course based on a combination of factors:
  • Their score on the end of the year test
  • Their previous participation in IS classes
  • Their teacher recommendation

4. What are the mandatory subjects?

  • In order to meet the International Baccalaureate requirements, students are required to take all subjects.
  • The IB Technology requirement met in the AdvancedAcademics class by integrating it into the course content.
  • In eighth grade, students may choose their art course: music or visual arts.
  • The Humanities class is offered as follows:
  • 6th grade: Geography
  • 7th grade: Civics
  • 8th grade: US History

5. What are odd and even days and how does that work?

Students have four periods each day: on even day they have periods 2, 4, 6, 8 and on odd days they have periods 1, 3, 5, 7. The Art and Physical Education period is taken in alternance. Example: if students have period 8 PE/Art, the first even day they might have Physical Education, and the following even day they will have Art.
Please see the 2009-2010 school year Even/Odd Days Calendar for Middle School

  1. Do kids have their own assigned books for their subjects or do
    they have to use the class sets. Why are there no lockers for middle school students?
  • Math, Science and Social Studies textbooks are available on line from Miami-DCPS Student Portal for home learning assignments
  • In the classroom, students use class sets
  • Students have only 4 classes each day (one of which is usually PE or Art) and do not need to take heavy text books home. There is therefore no need for lockers
  • Students are encouraged to use two back packs: one for even days and one for odd days, keeping the supplies necessary for each day separately. The only items students will need to have every day are: the student agenda and the pouch with shared supplies.
  1. Dostudents change classrooms throughout the day or do the
    teachers come to them?
    Students change classroom at the end of each period. All classrooms, with the exception of Art, Music, and PE are held on the same wing on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
  2. What are 'community and service hours'and how many are required?
    At the beginning of the year orientation session, students receive a “Community and Service Booklet” outlining this IB requirement and how it can be met.
  3. Are the gifted students kept together in homeroom and other classes or not?Is gifted an elective? What is the alternative class if you
    don't want to be in gifted?
    Gifted students are together for their Advanced Academics Resource class. Homeroom assignment is based on period 1 assignment. Gifted student take the Advanced Academics class in lieu of the Technology/ATL class.
  4. How are languages offered in middle school?
    Ada Merritt K-8 Center students take 2 classes in Language B (Spanish or Portuguese): a language arts class and a humanities class. All other courses (math, science, social studies, arts, physical education, and language arts) are taught in language A, which is English.
  5. What classes are offered after school?
    As previously, the After School Care Program offers a great variety of classes. Parents should contact the After School Care Office at the beginning of the year for a complete list of classes.