CURRICULUM
Thinking differently is the first step towards achieving extraordinary things. Consider James Maxwell, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, or more recently, Cher, Steve Jobs or Steven Spielberg. Each of these people perceived or perceives the world differently.
Each went on to change the world.
At Maxwell School we believe your child is also capable of accomplishing extraordinary things; every aspect of our teaching is geared toward turning that belief into reality. Our curriculum is multi-sensory, experiential and progressively rigorous. At Maxwell School, students learn traditional academics, but they approach them frequently following an unconventional path. Our path stresses creativity, originality, innovation, and intellectual risk-taking, making Maxwell School students better prepared for the 21st-century world they will inherit. Our students are encouraged to perceive the world around in many different ways.
Our students achieve academic excellence and a strong set of values that together foster their self-confidence allowing them to reach their full potential.
Middle Years 7 to 9
At Maxwell School, we strike a unique balance in education by taking a global approach to learning, while always maintaining focus and attention on the development of the individual student.
The Middle Years (KS3) program provides students with a rigorous educational experience that prepares students for success in their exam years and beyond. Through the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) we provide 21st Century skill-building in creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), arts integration, Google Drive and Classroom, and coding.
The IMYC offers project-based learning that allows students to experience high engagement through interactive, hands-on projects that connect them to real-world issues. Teachers utilize technology to connect with schools from around the world, providing students with authentic international experiences. Small class sizes and a commitment to student resources ensure individual learning styles are always met.
Our middle school program features STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math) integrated into IMYC units, allowing students to engage deeply with their coursework through multiple modalities. Students are exposed to hands-on, interactive projects through which they become “makers.” STEAM education helps students become critical and creative thinkers, offering diverse learning opportunities for all types of learners–a perfect match for the international, inclusive, and arts-integrated program at Maxwell School.
The International Middle Years Curriculum – Years 7 to 9
The IMYC was crafted in 2011 to mirror the core values of the IPC to engage children of all abilities to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers in a globalized world. The IMYC continues the educational journey of IPC learners with higher order thinking skills by taking into account the unique developmental needs of students aged 11to14, with clear intentions to address adolescent brain development, pubescent physical changes, and their ability to engage with content at a deeper level.
IMYC leads students to explore their self-identity and their interpersonal relations. Each unit of the IMYC provides opportunities for students to work with and learn from peers, to lead their own learning and take risks, to tackle a wide range of self-directed investigation, to experience security and familiarity through a consistent learning process, to reflect upon their learning, and to connect their learning to the world around them.
All three of these programs focus on teaching children three different types of learning: knowledge, skills, and understandings.
Years 10 and 11 Cambridge IGCSE
During Years 10 and 11 students prepare for the prestigious Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. Maxwell students each have a personalised route and curriculum during these important two years. This usually requires them to study for exams in nine or ten different subjects. Students will all study for qualifications in subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Spanish but additionally have a number of other optional subjects to choose from. These include the exciting new subjects of Enterprise and Global Perspectives. Please contact us to discuss the full curriculum which we offer in Years 10 and 11.
Maxwell´s smaller class sizes and individualised approach to learning help to ensure that the full potential of all students is reached. Our exam results are extremely positive and nothing delights us more than enabling the success of all students.
Years 12 and 13 Cambridge A Levels
Between the ages of 16 and 18 (Years 12 and 13), students study a smaller range of subjects and take Cambridge International AS and A Level exams. It is these which are used to facilitate their entry into some of the very best universities both in Spain, and internationally.
The progress of Maxwell´s students during Years 12 and 13 is exceptionally strong – this is due to the very high level of attention all are given in classes by our extremely able teaching staff. Our personalised approach to learning guides all practice in Years 12 and 13, this is the key to our academic success.
All students have individualised support with university applications – we have highly experienced staff who guide all students through the different processes of applying for university either in Spain or internationally.
Convalidación con el sistema español (E.S.O.)
The IMYC …. new section
All .. new section
Tell Me
Knowledge
This is information that we know is true and the way we answer a knowledge question will be either right or wrong.
Show Me
Skills
Finding out how to do things. Skills are practical and can be described as “being able” to do something. Skills take time to develop and as we learn; we learn skills in small, progressive steps.
Talk to me about that
Understandings
Facts they will need to know. Developing a sense of the meaning behind why we know and do things. Understanding involves a combination of accumulated knowledge, practiced skills, and reflection over time.
There are three broad categories of goals in the IMYC: Subject, Personal, and International
IMYC Subject Goals
The Subject Goals cover knowledge, skills and understanding. There are subject Learning Goals for the following: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, Physical Education, Art and Society.
Some examples of Subject Goals are:
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Language Arts Learning Goals
Know the basic structure elements of word structure -br- Be able to recognize and use nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs
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History Learning Goals
Know about the main events, dates and characteristics of the past societies they have studied -br- Be able to gather information from simple sources -br- Understand that the past can be considered in terms of different time periods
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Music Learning Goals
Know how a number of musicians – including some from their home country and the host country – combine musical elements within a structure -br- Be able to compose musical pieces combining musical elements within a structure -br- Understand that musicians use music to express emotions and experiences
We would love to hear from you
We’d be happy to answer your questions about Maxwell. Provide your contact info and we’ll be in touch.
