Grades 6 to 8 | Ages 12 to 14 years
More Independence, More to Explore
At Stamford American International School, Middle School gives students greater independence while keeping their academic experience broad.
Students in Grades 6 to 8 follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) within Stamford’s American curriculum. They study across languages, mathematics, science, humanities, design, the arts and physical education, while learning to connect ideas with real-world questions and challenges.
At an age when interests and identities can change quickly, students have room to explore different subjects, build confidence in their abilities and become more responsible for the choices they make in their learning.
Learning Gets Broader and Deeper
Middle School gives students the chance to tackle more complex ideas, connect learning across subjects and build stronger study habits. Through the IB Middle Years Programme, they develop the knowledge and skills to take on greater challenge with confidence.
Our Teaching Philosophy
The MYP is built around inquiry, conceptual understanding and connections between learning and the wider world. Students are encouraged to question ideas, consider different perspectives and apply what they know rather than relying on facts and memorization alone.
A strong focus on Approaches to Learning (ATL) develops communication, collaboration, research, thinking and self-management skills. These help students organize themselves, work with others, reflect on their progress and become increasingly independent learners.
Middle School also supports students’ social-emotional development through advisory, counseling and social-emotional learning, helping students navigate the changes and growing independence of these years.
Meet the Middle School Leadership Team
The Middle School leadership team works closely with students, teachers and families across Grades 6 to 8.
Kustave Heino
Katie Wichser
Amy Bowley
Academic Life
Middle School students study across the eight subject groups of the MYP: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Science, Individuals and Societies, Design, Arts, and Physical and Health Education.
Subjects are taught through concepts and global contexts that help students see connections between what they learn and how that knowledge can be used. Interdisciplinary learning also brings subjects together, asking students to combine different perspectives and skills to investigate a question or create a response.
Learning extends beyond individual subjects through Service as Action, projects and opportunities outside the classroom. Students can also explore their interests through music, drama, sport, robotics and a range of clubs and co-curricular activities.
The Woodleigh Campus
Middle School students learn at Stamford’s Woodleigh Campus, alongside Elementary and High School students.
The campus gives students access to spaces for collaborative learning, science, projects, design, the arts and physical activity as their subjects become increasingly specialized.
Learning within the same campus as High School also provides continuity as students move into the next stage of Stamford.
Preparing for High School
The MYP continues beyond Middle School into Grades 9 and 10, so students enter High School within a framework they already understand.
The skills developed through Grades 6 to 8, including research, communication, critical thinking and self-management, become increasingly important as academic expectations grow. Students can then begin exploring the broader course and pathway choices available later in High School.
Middle School FAQs
Find answers to some of the most common questions families ask about Middle School at Stamford.
Middle School covers Grades 6 to 8, with students generally aged 12 to 14 years.
Students follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) alongside Stamford’s American curriculum. The program uses inquiry and conceptual learning to develop subject knowledge, critical thinking and global awareness.
Students study Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Science, Individuals and Societies, Design, Arts, and Physical and Health Education.
Approaches to Learning are skills developed throughout the MYP, including communication, research, thinking, collaboration and self-management. They help students become more independent in how they learn.
Middle School includes dedicated advisory periods, counseling and social-emotional learning to support students as they develop greater independence and navigate the changes of adolescence.
Stamford provides English language support for students who need additional help developing the English required to access their academic subjects.
Yes. Students with specific learning needs can access additional learning support according to their individual needs and the support available at Stamford.
Students can explore activities including arts, music, drama, sport, robotics and clubs, giving them opportunities to develop interests outside their regular classes.
Students progress into Stamford’s High School. The MYP continues through Grades 9 and 10, providing continuity before students move into their senior pathway choices.
Start Your Child’s Stamford Journey
Walk the spaces, meet our educators and get a feel for where your child could spend their days learning, exploring and discovering what interests them.