Senior School Programs

The Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Bridging the Gap: A Continuum of Excellence Designed for students aged 11–16, the Middle Years Programme at Qatar Academy Al Khor is a vital bridge between the curiosity of the PYP and the academic rigour of the Diploma Programme. As an IB Continuum school, we prioritize making practical connections between studies and the real world, preparing students for success in their future lives.

A Framework for Future-Ready Learners The MYP curriculum is defined by three distinctive characteristics that ensure a holistic education:

  • Broad & Balanced Curriculum: Students engage with eight subject groups— Language & Literature (Arabic and English ), Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical & Health Education, and Design. This ensures balanced exposure to different disciplines and ways of thinking.
  • Global Contexts: Learning is never isolated. We use real-world themes to frame inquiry, helping students understand the relevance of their education in a complex, interconnected world.
  • Approaches to Learning:  We teach the skills necessary for lifelong learning. Through the MYP, students master thinking, research, communication, self-management, and social skills, empowering them to manage their own learning effectively.

Grade 10: The Culmination of the Journey

Grade 10 represents a significant milestone for our students. It is a year of consolidation and preparation for the Diploma Programme. During this final year, QAK students demonstrate their readiness through three critical components:

  • The Personal Project: Students embrace their passions by undertaking an independent, self-directed project. This is the capstone of the MYP, allowing students to showcase the ATL skills they have developed over five years.
  • ePortfolios: Moving beyond traditional testing, our Grade 10 students curate and submit ePortfolios to the IB. These digital portfolios showcase their best work, creativity, and critical thinking abilities in specific subject groups.
  • Service as Action: At QAK, education goes beyond the classroom. Before graduating from the MYP, every student is required to complete their Service as Action outcomes. This ensures our students grow into empathetic leaders committed to making a positive difference.”

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.

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.

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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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