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P.O. Box 3013, 2 Ridley Road St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C3 Canada - +1 905-684-1889
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, often called the IB MYP, is designed for students from Grades 7 to 10. The MYP helps early adolescents connect what they learn in class to the real world, study across a broad range of subjects and build the academic habits, independence, confidence and global mindset they need before entering the final years of high school or Upper School.
At Ridley College, students study the MYP from Grade 7 to Grade 10 as part of a connected academic pathway. As one of Canada’s IB Continuum boarding schools, Ridley combines the International Baccalaureate framework, the Ontario curriculum, a global boarding community and personalized preparation for university. For South Korean and Japanese families considering a Canadian boarding school, the MYP can be especially helpful because it supports students before the more demanding Grade 11 and 12 years, when students complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and may choose to pursue the IB Diploma Programme.
Rather than waiting until the Diploma Programme to introduce independent research, interdisciplinary thinking and global learning, the MYP builds these skills earlier, giving students a stronger foundation as they move into high school and future university preparation.
Choosing a school abroad is a major decision. Families often compare academics, boarding life, university preparation, student support, English-language learning and whether the school environment will help their child feel confident away from home.
For many international families, the MYP matters because it supports the transition between childhood and the high school years. Students are old enough to take on more responsibility, but they still need structure, mentorship and encouragement as they develop independence.
The MYP helps students practise how to:
For students arriving from South Korea, Japan or another international school system, this can make the transition to Canadian education feel more intentional. They are not simply adapting to a new school; they are joining a structured academic pathway that helps them grow year by year.
The International Baccalaureate curriculum is designed to help students understand concepts, ask better questions and apply knowledge across different situations.
The MYP sits between the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. In simple terms, it acts as the bridge between foundational learning and advanced university preparation.
| IB Stage | Typical Age Range | Main Focuses |
| Primary Years Programme | JK–Grade 6 | Curiosity, inquiry and foundational learning |
| Middle Years Programme | Grades 7–10 | Interdisciplinary learning, independence and real-world connections |
| Diploma Programme | Grades 11–12 | Advanced academic study, research and university preparation |
One of the strengths of the IB MYP is that students continue to learn across a wide range of subject areas. This helps them avoid narrowing their interests too early and gives them time to discover where their strengths and passions lie.
At Ridley, students build knowledge and understanding across eight MYP subject areas:
This broad structure is helpful for students who may not yet know what they want to study at university. A student may discover a love for science, design, history, literature or the arts while still building a balanced academic foundation.
For international students, this can also create more opportunities to grow as communicators. Students are encouraged to express ideas, collaborate with classmates and make meaning across different subjects, which can support both academic English development and overall confidence.
Success in the IB Diploma Programme often depends on habits that are built earlier. The MYP gives students time to develop those habits before they enter Grade 11.
The MYP prepares students for the Diploma Programme by helping them practise:
Independent research: Students learn how to ask questions, investigate topics, organize information and present their thinking.
Critical thinking: Instead of only memorizing content, students are encouraged to understand why ideas matter and how they connect.
Communication: Students build confidence in written work, presentations, discussion and collaboration.
Self-management: Students learn how to manage deadlines, assignments, projects and academic expectations.
Interdisciplinary learning: Students make connections across subjects, mirroring the kind of flexible thinking needed in high school and beyond.
At Ridley, the MYP culminates in an independent personal project. This gives students the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest while building project management, research, communication and creative thinking skills.
The MYP Personal Project is one of the most important parts of the programme. It gives students the chance to explore something they are genuinely interested in while developing the skills needed to complete a long-term project.
At Ridley, the Personal Project helps students build approaches to learning, including:
This matters because the Diploma Programme and university both require students to manage complex work more independently. By completing a Personal Project before the high school years, students gain experience planning, organizing, problem-solving and presenting their learning.
“The Personal Project pushed me to develop creative thinking and self-management skills in all aspects of my schoolwork. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to create something meaningful while building skills that I now use in my everyday academic work.” – Darah A. ’28
No. The MYP is valuable even for students who are still exploring their academic pathway.
At Ridley, all students graduate with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and students in Grades 11 and 12 have the option to enter the IB Diploma Programme. This gives families flexibility. A student can benefit from the MYP’s inquiry-based learning, global perspective and skill-building approach, while still making an informed decision later about the Diploma Programme.
For international families, this is important. A student may arrive at Ridley in the Middle School or early Upper School years, grow into the Canadian education system, gain confidence and then decide whether the Diploma Programme is the right fit for their goals.
An IB Continuum school offers more than one stage of the International Baccalaureate. This helps create a connected educational experience in which skills are built over time rather than introduced all at once.
At Ridley, the MYP is part of a larger journey. Students can move from the Middle Years Programme into the high school years with a stronger understanding of inquiry, independence, service and global learning.
The boarding environment also adds another layer to that growth. Ridley’s boarding programme is built around safety, nurturing relationships, mentorship and a diverse community. Students live, learn and grow with peers from around the world, helping them develop confidence, responsibility and cultural understanding.
For South Korean and Japanese families, this combination can be especially meaningful as they are learning how to live in a global community, build independence and prepare for future study in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, or other international destinations.
The middle years are a major period of change. Students are developing academically, socially, emotionally and personally. They are becoming more independent, but they still need trusted adults around them.
Ridley’s Middle School programme is designed to support students through this stage. Grade 7 and 8 students learn in a challenging yet supportive environment that helps them build academic and life skills, explore their interests, develop communication and teamwork, and benefit from individualized attention.
Ridley also uses a “circle of care” approach, where students are supported by teachers, advisors, counsellors, learning support staff, coaches, health professionals and House teams. This matters for all students, but it can be especially important for international students who are adjusting to a new country, school culture and daily routine.
After the MYP, students continue into the high years of high school. At Ridley, students work toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and in Grades 11 and 12, they may choose to enter the IB Diploma Programme.
Ridley’s University Counselling team supports students and families through the planning process, helping students explore courses, institutions and future pathways. This includes personalized guidance for students considering universities in Canada, the United States and other international destinations.
For many families, this long-term pathway is one of the biggest advantages of choosing Ridley. Students are supported from the middle years through graduation, with academic preparation, boarding support, university counselling and a global school community all working together.
What is the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme?
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, or IB MYP, is an academic framework for students from Grades 7 to 10. It helps students connect classroom learning to the real world, build independence and prepare for further education, including the IB Diploma Programme.
Is the MYP the same as the IB Diploma Programme?
No. The MYP is designed for younger students and helps prepare them for future study. The IB Diploma Programme is typically for students in the final two years of high school. At Ridley, students in Grades 11 and 12 have the option to enter the Diploma Programme.
Does Ridley offer boarding for MYP students?
Ridley offers junior boarding for Grades 6 to 8 and senior boarding for Grades 9 to 12/PG. Since Ridley’s MYP runs from Grade 7 to Grade 10, some MYP students are within junior boarding, while older MYP students are part of the Upper School boarding structure.
What subjects are included in the MYP?
MYP students study across eight subject areas: language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design.
Why is the MYP helpful before the IB Diploma Programme?
The MYP helps students develop research, communication, time management, critical thinking and independent learning skills. These skills are especially useful for students who may later choose the IB Diploma Programme.
Is the MYP a good fit for international students?
Yes, the MYP can be a strong fit for international students because it emphasizes global thinking, interdisciplinary learning, communication and real-world connections. At Ridley, students also benefit from a diverse boarding and day community with students from more than 60 countries.
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is a foundation for confident learning, independent thinking and future university preparation.
To learn more about how Ridley supports students during the middle years, connect with the Admissions team to start a conversation.
