Senior School Programs

Middle Years Program

MYP

The Middle Years Program continues to focus on the way students learn at QAK, incorporating inquiry-based learning as a fundamental concept of tapping into young people’s curiosity. Once students become engaged in this process, the learning becomes deeper, especially when combined with skills needed to achieve a task or project.

The subjects in the MYP have been changed in order to reflect our changing world. The importance of informational technology and strengthening national identity has meant that Digital Design and Qatar National History have become fundamental components of the Middle Years Program.
The MYP continues to adopt the e-Assessments as the preferred method of summative assessment for our students in Grade 10. As such, 28 students matriculated from MYP into the Diploma Program at the beginning of 2021-22, and we expect 47 students to graduate from Grade 10 by the beginning of next school year. As they grow, we expect that these students are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to succeed in the Diploma Program.

GRADING IN THE MYP

Grades are reported using a seven-number system based on the International Baccalaureate grading system where 7 is the highest overall grade and 1 is the lowest.

Grade Boundary
Guidelines 		Descriptor
1 1 – 5 Produces work of very limited quality. Conveys many significant misunderstandings or lacks understanding of most concepts and contexts. Very rarely demonstrates critical or creative thinking. Very inflexible, rarely using knowledge or skills.
2 6 – 9 Produces work of limited quality. Expresses misunderstandings or significant gaps in understanding for many concepts and contexts. Infrequently demonstrates critical or creative thinking. Generally inflexible in the use of knowledge and skills, infrequently applying knowledge and skills.
3 10 – 14 Produces work of an acceptable quality. Communicates basic understanding of many concepts and contexts, with occasionally significant misunderstandings or gaps. Begins to demonstrate some basic critical and creative thinking. Is often inflexible in the use of knowledge and skills, requiring support even in familiar classroom situations.
4 15 – 18 Produces good-quality work. Communicates basic understanding of most concepts and contexts with few misunderstandings and minor gaps. Often demonstrates basic critical and creative thinking. Uses knowledge and skills with some flexibility in familiar classroom situations but requires support in unfamiliar situations.
5 19 – 23 Produces generally high-quality work. Communicates secure understanding of concepts and contexts. Demonstrates critical and creative thinking, sometimes with sophistication. Uses knowledge and skills in familiar classroom and real-world situations and, with support, some unfamiliar real-world situations.
6 24 – 27 Produces high-quality, occasionally innovative work. Communicates extensive understanding of concepts and contexts. Demonstrates critical and creative thinking, frequently with sophistication. Uses knowledge and skills in familiar and unfamiliar classroom and real-world situations, often with independence.
7 28 – 32 Produces high-quality, frequently innovative work. Communicates comprehensive, nuanced understanding of concepts and contexts. Consistently demonstrates sophisticated critical and creative thinking. Frequently transfers knowledge and skills with independence and expertise in a variety of complex classroom and real-world situations.

eASSESSMENTS IN THE MYP

As part of the successful completion of the Middle Years Programme, students in Grades 9 and 10 will be preparing for the MYP eAssessments(external assessments) At the end of Grade 10, students will complete a range of eAssessments and complete ePortfolios from 8 subject areas. The results of the eAssessments will lead to formally recognized IB MYP Certification.

These are:

  • Mathematics
  • Arabic Language and Literature
  • Integrated Sciences
  • Individuals and Societies (Integrated Humanities)
  • Interdisciplinary learning
  • English Language Acquisition (if applicable)
  • English Language and Literature (if applicable)
  • Arts or Design

Candidates must also meet the school requirements for participation in community service (service as Action). Students receive IB MYP course results for each component completed. The maximum total score for the IB MYP certificate is 56, with a grade from 1-7 assigned to each required eAssessment. Students must achieve a total of at least 28 points, with a grade of ‘3’ or higher in each eAssessment component, to be eligible to receive the IB MYP certificate.

Through the use of technology and the focus on deeper levels of understanding, the examination process will be an engaging, positive experience for students, while ePortfolios provide a stimulating and structured final unit of study. eAssessment will therefore be an appropriate and natural culmination of the student’s time in the MYP.

eAssessment on screen examinations in:
  • Mathematics
  • Arabic Language and Literature
  • Integrated Sciences
  • Individuals and Societies (Integrated Humanities)
  • Interdisciplinary learning
  • English Language Acquisition (if applicable)
  • English Language and Literature (if applicable)
  • Arts or Design

Candidates must also meet the school requirements for participation in community service (service as Action). Students receive IB MYP course results for each component completed. The maximum total score for the IB MYP certificate is 56, with a grade from 1-7 assigned to each required eAssessment. Students must achieve a total of at least 28 points, with a grade of ‘3’ or higher in each eAssessment component, to be eligible to receive the IB MYP certificate.

Through the use of technology and the focus on deeper levels of understanding, the examination process will be an engaging, positive experience for students, while ePortfolios provide a stimulating and structured final unit of study. eAssessment will therefore be an appropriate and natural culmination of the student’s time in the MYP.

Diploma Program

IBDP

Over the last few years, we have seen our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) grow in both the number of students and courses that we offer. Our Graduating Class of 2022 was 38 students, our biggest cohort so far. Compared to other schools around the world, our program is still relatively small which allows us the opportunity to give individual care and support to our students. The firm establishment and steady evolution of our program have been important to the school’s stability in a turbulent couple of years.

Despite the challenges and strain of the pandemic, we have always tried to maintain the high standards and rigor of the program. It has not been easy for teachers and students, but to their credit, we have been able to preserve and even enhance the quality for which QAK is renowned. The Diploma Program was able to deliver excellent quality teaching through virtual and face-to-face classes almost seamlessly as we moved from one mode to another sometimes at very short notice. We are grateful that most of the 2021-22 academic year commenced in person.

The Diploma Program requires students to take two languages, a science, a humanities subject, math and a further optional subject. In an effort to match student requirements and desires, we have evolved our own course options. This has meant additional training on our behalf as well as recruiting teachers for the additional positions. The success of QAK’s Diploma Program is in part due to the experience, qualifications and character of the teaching staff. When this is complemented by our state of the art facilities and clear, strong leadership, we are providing a suitable environment in which students can flourish.

Our DP results are strong and we are justifiably proud as our students are attending top universities in Qatar. But beyond this is our drive to graduate students of good character that reflect our values. As leaders in our society in the new future, we want to instill in them a will to be caring, knowledgeable and principled. In this way, it will greatly benefit the future of our community. In 2021-22, the QAK Diploma Program has been rock solid in the storm we are all hoping will pass soon.

IB COURSE REQUIREMENTS, ASSESSMENT & GRADING IN THE DP

SUBJECTS IN THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Subjects in the Diploma Programme are grouped according to their content. These groups are numbered 1 to 6.

Group 1:

  • Arabic Language and Literature SL
  • Arabic Literature SL

Group 2:

  • English B HL

Group 3:

  • Business Management SL/HL
  • Geography SL/HL
  • Digital Societies SL/HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies SL (This subject is a Group 3 and 4 subject)

Group 4:

  • Physics SL/HL
  • Biology SL/ HL
  • Chemistry SL/HL
  • Design Technology SL/HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies SL (This subject is a Group 3 and 4 subject)

Group 5:

  • Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL/HL
  • Mathematics Applications and Interpretations SL/HL

Group 6:

  • Visual Arts

Students in Grade 11 and 12 are also required to take Theory of Knowledge classes, complete an Extended Essay and fulfill the IB requirements for Creativity, Activity and Service. There is a further requirement from our Ministry that all students must study Islamic Education.

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