Middle School (IMYC)

International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC)

The International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) is designed for students aged 11 to 14 and supports learning at a pivotal stage of personal, social, and academic development. At Brookes Moscow, the IMYC provides a rigorous and engaging foundation for secondary education while responding thoughtfully to the unique needs of early adolescents.

As part of the Fieldwork Education continuum, the IMYC builds on the IEYC and IPC to create a coherent, concept-driven learning journey centred on academic understanding, personal growth, and global awareness.

What is the IMYC?

A Curriculum Designed for Early Adolescence

The IMYC is an internationally oriented curriculum that combines strong academic standards with a developmentally responsive approach to learning. It is mapped to the English National Curriculum and American Common Core Standards, offering both flexibility and rigour within an internationally benchmarked framework.

The curriculum is designed to help students understand why they are learning, make meaningful connections across subjects, and actively engage in their education during a time of significant personal growth.

Responding to Adolescent Needs

Supporting How Teenagers Learn Best

Making Meaning

Helping students understand the relevance and purpose behind what they learn.

Making Connections

Linking concepts across subjects and to real-world contexts.

Active Involvement

Encouraging ownership of learning through inquiry, collaboration, and reflection.

Learning with Peers

Recognising the importance of social interaction, teamwork, and communication.

A Bridge to Secondary Learning

Providing structure and support as students transition from Primary to more demanding secondary studies.

IMYC Learning Goals: Three Interconnected Learning Dimensions

Developing knowledge, skills, and understanding across disciplines including English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Art and Design, Technology, ICT & Computing, Music, Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing, and Modern Foreign Languages.

Focusing on key learner qualities such as adaptability, communication, collaboration, empathy, resilience, respect, ethics, and reflective thinking.

Developing national, intercultural, and global understanding, empowering students to engage thoughtfully with the wider world.

How learning works in the IMYC

A Thematic, Concept-Driven Approach

Learning in the IMYC is organised around six-week thematic units known as Big Ideas. Each Big Idea connects learning across subjects and perspectives, helping students develop conceptual understanding rather than isolated knowledge.

Teachers select from a bank of units, with students completing up to six units per academic year. Each unit explores learning through personal, interpersonal, and global perspectives, ensuring depth, relevance, and coherence across the curriculum.

Why the IMYC at Brookes Moscow?

Preparing Students for the Next Stage

The IMYC plays a strategic role in our academic pathway and prepares students for future programmes, including IGCSE, A Levels, AP, and the High School Diploma.

A Seamless Transition to Upper Secondary
Students develop subject knowledge, conceptual understanding, and learning habits essential for success in more specialised courses.

Internationally Benchmarked & Future-Ready
The IMYC meets global standards and develops international mindedness and reflective learning.

Coherent Learning Across Subjects
Thematic units ensure strong curriculum alignment and meaningful connections across disciplines.

Strong Personal & Global Development
Character, wellbeing, and global awareness are embedded alongside academic learning.

Clear Structure & Assessment Clarity
Consistent expectations and reflective assessment support a strong learning culture.

Academic Continuity & Quality Assurance

A Globally Recognised Learning Pathway

At Brookes Moscow, the IMYC forms part of a clearly articulated academic journey from early childhood through pre-university education. External accreditation, including NEASC, recognises the quality, coherence, and rigour of our curriculum.

This ensures that students experience a high-quality, internationally recognised education that supports successful transitions between programmes and prepares them for leading universities worldwide.