Inspiring & Empowering Compassionate, Global Learners
Cornerstone Learning Community is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School with a fully implemented Middle Years Programme*. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.
The Middle Years Programme is utilized internationally as a framework that puts the student first. While the IB framework employs a rigorous approach to curricular design and competency-based assessment, it provides extensive latitude for content and differentiation, allowing for personalization, individualization, and place-specific community building. What does this mean for Cornerstone? We are implementing a globally tested—and proven—approach that balances international mindedness with personalized connections. The “Think globally, Act locally” phrase could not be more apt.
Below is a graphic illustrating the design of the Middle Years Programme. Notice: the student is at the very center, and equal weight is given to the subject areas. These intentional design elements ensure a focus on the whole child, encompassing physical, intellectual, and social well-being. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.
At Cornerstone Learning Community, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides a truly unique and transformative educational experience for our students in grades 6–8. Unlike traditional programs that often emphasize rote learning and test preparation, the MYP focuses on developing students as critical thinkers, compassionate individuals, and active global citizens.
Through inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and an emphasis on real-world relevance, students are challenged to explore big ideas, take intellectual risks, and reflect deeply on their growth. The program’s focus on Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills—such as collaboration, communication, and self-management—equips students not only for academic success, but for lifelong learning. At Cornerstone, the MYP isn’t just a curriculum; it’s a mindset that fosters curiosity, resilience, and purpose in everything we do, setting your child on a path for meaningful impact.
The social studies curriculum has an underlying emphasis on responsible citizenship and social justice. Classes use an inquiry- and project-based approach to explore nationally recognized social studies themes in history, sociology, government, and culture. Skills in research, geography, and active citizenship are interwoven throughout each course.
Through the course in U.S. History, students will explore the ways humans in our country have viewed themselves and others over time, including an understanding of interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and subcultures. This approach brings to life the people, places, and environments from the diverse threads of our nation’s story.
The course in World Cultures will take students around the world to understand different cultures across time, appreciate cultural diversity, and experience global connections and interdependence. They will explore arts, music, history, geography, and more. The course in Civics delves into how people create, interact with, and change structures of power and governance, as well as how people organize the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Cornerstone’s middle school offers a variety of math courses that cater to the needs of each student. In Middle School Math 1 and 2, students continue to develop and master skills that will prepare them for higher-level math classes. As they form a solid foundation and demonstrate readiness in exploring more algebraic concepts, the Pre-Algebra Problem Solving course delves more into pre-algebra concepts through projects and an in-depth study of number theory. Students have an early exposure to high school mathematics courses in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Algebra 1 focuses on solving, graphing, and applying equations and has a high level of expectation that will lead students to earn their first high school credit. Students who have completed Algebra will then advance into Geometry. This course presents a range of real-world applications of the concepts previously learned, challenging students to think critically and abstractly. Students will study numerous geometrical concepts and utilize their mastery of algebraic skills to perform meaningful tasks involving geometry concepts.
In science classes, students enjoy direct observation and inquiry-based investigation. Middle schoolers are active scientists who, by the end of three years, have strong experiences in earth science, life science, and the physical sciences. Earth & Space Science begins with a study of the sun as a source of energy,
Life Science begins with a study of ecosystems, and Physical Science starts with a study of the properties of matter. Students continually advance their scientific knowledge, the processes of inquiry, their ability to analyze results, and their participation in scientific collaboration.
In this workshop-style class, students will have project-based writing, guided independent reading, personal language study, formal public speaking experiences, and an international literature unit. Students enjoy considerable choice in challenging themselves to read and write about what their heart desires, with enough structure and one-on-one conferencing to ensure that challenging goals, a range of genres, and appropriate skills are addressed. Lessons and activities engage students in word play and shared readings for enjoyment, analysis, and practice with reading and writing strategies.
Our Spanish courses incorporate the diversity of Hispanic culture into language instruction and rely on current second language acquisition research to teach Spanish using authentic texts. Middle school students may work toward earning credit for high school Spanish 2 by the end of 8th grade. Some students will take middle school German. Both of these prepare students to continue with foreign language courses as soon as they enter high school.
Design classes use a rigorous design cycle to produce solutions to real-world problems that may be digital or physical products. Regardless of the course, students are expected to inquire and analyze to develop several appropriate solutions to a problem.
They will create solutions and evaluate their success. As students progress through the grades, the design process becomes more routine, but projects involve deeper analysis and more comprehensive solutions.
All students study performing and visual arts during middle school. Vocal Music is an opportunity for maturing vocalists and beginning singers to develop vocal technique and singing skills in a relaxed, nurturing environment, with an emphasis on collaboration and community service. Repertoire includes teacher and student choices for exploration and sharing. Vocal Music is a venue for self-expression, with opportunities for solo singing (if desired), as well as composition, arranging, and/or accompanying.
Instrumental Music is for students whose primary musical interest involves playing an instrument. Students may continue with an instrument they already study or explore new choices, such as guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, keyboard, drum set, or percussion. Opportunities for composing, arranging, and performing will arise throughout the year. Some pieces studied and/or performed are for the whole ensemble (class), while others will be for small groups. Students will have input at various times as to repertoire and group choices.
In Visual Art courses, students work with a variety of materials, techniques, and skills to solve art problems and meet expressive challenges. Some courses may focus on a specific area of visual art, such as 3-D creations or photography. In all visual arts classes, students explore aesthetics and art history, produce art, and gain experience in critical reflections of their work. Art courses offer students the opportunity to learn about themselves and others while forming global connections that transcend time and space.
Physical and health education in middle school aims to empower students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and develop the motivation for making healthy life choices. Physical education classes offer athletic games, exercise, health education, nutrition, fitness, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
Students have choices about the core courses they take in the subject areas of Arts and Design (see above). In addition to the core courses, Cornerstone offers exploratory classes that give students opportunities to delve into a wide variety of topics for a single trimester such as dancing, drama, small engine repair, cooking, mosaics, calligraphy, pottery, archery, origami, beekeeping, French culture, Italian culture, computer programming, basketball, brain bowl, independent projects, abstract art, field sports, and more!
During the first trimester, grade-level advisement groups meet once a week to provide time for students and teachers to work together to address developmental aspects of being a middle schooler. Sixth-grade advisement, Approaches to Learning, includes guidance about organization, time management, study skills, and an introduction to the IB learner traits.
Seventh-grade advisement, Digital Citizenship, provides continued guidance in these areas while also teaching students to make responsible and smart choices in the digital world.
Eighth-grade advisement, Community Leadership, focuses on having a positive influence, decision-making, and the transition to high school.
Cornerstone has woven service projects throughout our curriculum. These experiences combine academic goals with character development and community service. Many service-learning components continue on a weekly or monthly basis, year after year, thereby promoting long-term commitment in our students. Students also have opportunities to initiate service learning through activism projects in social studies, environmental responsibility projects through science classes, communication projects in language arts, and cultural exchanges in Spanish. In the 8th grade, students plan and implement a significant Community Project that is showcased at a spring exhibition and celebration. By graduation, our students will know how to approach service learning on a personal, independent level, preparing them for a lifetime of self-directed community service.
The following policies are in place to ensure consistency and equity within CLC’s Middle Years Programme.
*Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.