INTRODUCTION
Pre-Shell at Harrow New York serves as a foundational year within the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). This phase facilitates students' transition from elementary to middle school while immersing them in an inquiry-based, concept-driven curriculum. Students will exploresubjectsthroughtheMYP’sinterdisciplinaryapproach, fostering the development of critical thinking, communication, and research skills Our curriculum is designed to merge the rigorous educational standards of Harrow School with the dynamic framework of the MYP, ensuring a holistic and internationally-mindedlearningexperience.
MatthewE.Sipple Principal
THE ARTS DESIGN
Studentsengageinvisual andperformingarts, includingdrama,music, drawing,andpainting. ThroughtheMYPArts framework,theydevelop creativeandreflective thinking,self-expression, andanappreciationfor artisticcontextsand techniques.
TheMYPDesigncourse introducesstudentstodigital literacyandcomputational thinking.Topicsinclude coding,responsible technologyuse,problemsolvingthroughdesign cycles,andtheethical implicationsofdigital technologies.Thisaligns withtheMYP’semphasis oninquiry-basedlearning andinterdisciplinary connections.
FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE
Thiscourseisdesignedtodevelopstudents'awarenessofhow knowledgeisconstructedandevaluatedbycommunitiesandindividuals acrossacademicdisciplinesinadiverserangeofglobalcontexts.The goalsforthecourseareforstudentsto: developadeeperunderstandingoflearningskillsandapplythemin meaningfulcontexts; integrateconceptuallearning,waysofknowing,andmethodsof inquiringfrommultipledisciplines; experiencetheexcitementofintellectualdiscovery-including insightsintohowareasofknowledgecomplementandchallenge eachother; experienceambiguity,uncertainty,andquestionswithmultiple plausibleanswers; effectivelynavigateandmakesenseoftheworld,andhelpprepare themtoencounternovelandcomplexsituations;and experiencemultipleperspectives,fosteropen-mindedness,and developinterculturalunderstanding.
LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
StudentsstudyEnglishLanguageArtsthroughanMYPlens,focusing onreading,writing,speaking,andcriticalanalysis.Literatureis exploredthroughglobalcontexts,encouragingstudentstomake connectionsbetweentextsandtheworldaroundthem.
LANGUAGE AQUISITION
Studentscontinuetheirjourneyinasecondlanguage,choosing betweenMandarin,SpanishorFrench,withacurriculumthat emphasizesthedevelopmentofcommunicativecompetencein speaking,listening,reading,andwriting.TheMYPLanguage Acquisitionframeworksupportsdifferentiatedlearningtomeetdiverse linguisticbackgrounds.
MATHEMATICS PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION
TheMYPMathematics curriculumemphasizes conceptualunderstanding,realworldapplications,andproblemsolving.Topicscoveredinclude numbertheory,algebra, geometry,anddataanalysis, aligningwiththeMYPapproach toinquiry-basedlearningand globalcontexts.
The PHE program aligns with MYP goals by integrating physical activity with health education. Students explore movement techniques, teamwork, and well-being concepts, fostering lifelong fitness and health literacy.
Physical Fitness Training
Cricket
Squash
Soccer
Softball
Track & Field Events
Cooperative Games
Lacrosse
Pickleball
Basketball
Gymnastics
Volleyball
SCIENCES INDIVIDUALS & SOCITIES
Studentsengageinan integratedMYPSciences coursecoveringBiology, Chemistry,andPhysics. Inquiry-driveninvestigations encouragestudentstodevelop scientificthinking,explore globalissues,andapplythe scientificmethodinhands-on experiments.
Students explore historical and geographical perspectives through the MYP Individuals and Societies framework. They develop research skills, analyze case studies, and consider multiple perspectives on globalandlocalissues.
