Middle Schools

Middle Schools (Grades 7, 8 and 9)

Separate schools for boys and girls aged 12 to 15 years

The goal of the Middle Schools is to empower students to take responsibility for their learning, building on their strengths and addressing any gaps, while also starting to explore options for further education in the context of potential career pathways. We encourage them to challenge themselves and each other, becoming ambitious and aspirational about the impact they can have as they mature into pioneering, influential citizens of the world.

We adopt a balanced and decentralised approach to teaching in the Middle Schools. Learning is student-centred, highly personalised and delivered using the High Performance Learning framework.

Our assessments for and of learning are designed to provide continual, tailored extension and support, so every student achieves his or her personal best in all areas of school life.

We follow the Ministry of Education academic calendar which splits the school year into two terms. Summative assessments (assessments of learning) are used to inform each end-of-term reporting grade.

What do students learn in Middle School at Misk Schools?

We follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum for English instruction subjects in Grades 7 and 8, including:

• English

• Mathematics

• Science

• Physical Education

• Computing

• Art and Design

• Music

• Global Perspectives

• Culinary Arts

In addition, we also cater to the Saudi Ministry of Education’s National Identity Subjects instructed in Arabic:

• Social Studies

• Arabic Language

• Islamic Studies

During Term 2 of Grade 8, students receive guidance and support as they make their international GCSE option choices. This marks an important milestone in their school journey when, for the first time, they have the opportunity to shape their own academic path. The subjects they select determine their personalised timetables for Grades 9 and 10, the two years during which they prepare for their international GCSE examinations.

Alongside mandatory subjects – English, Arabic, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics – students choose at least one additional option to complete a minimum of seven international GCSEs, which they sit at the end of Grade 10.

More information on this process and the choices available can be found in our Grade 9 – 12 Student Guide to Planning a Future Career

Typical Shape of the Day in Middle School

Morning Parade, Well-being Window and Registration (07:50 to 08:15)

Welcomed by their Principal and Senior Leadership Team at the start of each new day, students sing the National Anthem, listen to a reading from the Quran, and notices for the day. Students take their turn to speak publicly, discussing the HPL theme for the week.

The rest of the day is split into six learning periods, and two breaks, to conclude by 15:35, followed by prayer time before the CCAP commences

Co-curricular Activities Programme (CCAP) (15:45 to 16:35 Sunday to Wednesday)

CCAP choices conclude the afternoons four days per week. Older students also have access to study sessions during these times.