The IB Middle Years Programme, for students aged 11 to 16, provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers.

Programme information & authorization*

Schools wishing to offer the Middle Years Programme must be authorized by the IB. The general guide to school application will provide an overview of the process. The first step is to read the sections found here and to submit an interested school form.

Phase 1: Feasibility Study: Schools interested in the MYP

During phase one of the application process, the school examines the MYP philosophy and curriculum, together with the programme standards and practices, to determine how they may be interpreted and applied in the school, and how the needs of the students may be met.

The school feasibility study should include all of the following:

• Participation of the educational leadership of the school in the relevant MYP category one workshops. Information about workshops is available in the professional development calendar. It is required that Head of Schools attend and MYP introductory workshop.
• Purchase and study of the relevant MYP guides available from the IB Store.

During this stage the school may also request the regional office to organize an in-school training or consultation visit. Additional information is described in the guidelines to MYP in-school training. Schools interested in in-school training or in consultation visits should submit the corresponding application form.

Please note a feasibility study must be completed by all schools before a school will be processed for MYP candidate status.

Once this phase has been completed schools can proceed to applying to MYP candidate status and to phase 2 of the application process.

Phase 2: Trial implementation period: MYP candidate status 

Schools wishing to continue with application process to become an IB World School should complete the application form part A and the supporting documents. Only applications supported by all the required documentation can be processed.                                       

 Deadlines to begin trial implementation phase are as follows:

• Schools planning to begin trial implementation of the MYP in January of any given year should submit application form part A and the supporting documentation on a CD-ROM by 1 October of the previous year.
• Schools planning to begin trial implementation of the MYP in September of any given year should submit application form part A and the supporting documentation on a CD-ROM by 1 May of the previous year.

The trial implementation phase in the IBAEM region takes a minimum of two to three years, depending on the nature/context of each school. On acceptance for trial implementation the regional office will then propose a timeline for authorization

When candidate status is granted, the school receives a letter from the regional manager. Programme coordinators should respond to this letter within the deadline stipulated. Failure to meet this deadline will impact the authorization timeline of a school. The school should then contact the regional office to organize a pre-authorization visit .A pre-authorization visit request form must be submitted according to the following deadlines:

• By 1 June for all visits from August to January
• By 1 December for all visits from February to July

The school should then proceed to phase 3 of the authorization process.

Phase 3: Authorization visit

Provided the previous stages have been completed successfully, the regional office arranges for the school to be visited by an IB team. The school should submit application form part B and the supporting documents two months before the confirmed dates for authorization to ensure up to date information. The purpose of this visit is to:

• consult those who will be involved in the implementation of the programme
• evaluate the school’s preparedness to implement the programme
• complete a report on the school’s commitment and ability to deliver the programme

The IB will submit a final decision in granting, postponing or denying authorization and only authorized schools acquire the status of IB World School.  Following authorization, schools may receive further visits from IB teams to ensure that the educational standards of the programme are being maintained and developed, as published in Rules for Authorized Schools.

*Please note that from September 2010 changes will be taking place to the authorization process, including dates for submission of forms. More information will soon be available.

MYP programme evaluation:

To ensure that the educational standards of the programme are being maintained and developed, the  IB regional office will conduct  evaluation visits to IB Schools.

The IBAEM office will contact schools one year in advance of a programme evaluation visit. If you have any queries about your school's programme evaluation visit dates, please contact us. The MYP guide to programme evaluation and the MYP self-study questionnaire provide the required information on the process.