Step into a world of transformation and growth at Beacon Middle School, where young individuals are prepared to take on the challenges of the future with confidence, intellect, and integrity.
Middle School at Beacon Academy follows a concept-based and inquiry-based curriculum fosters holistic learning in children aged 11-14 years old. Rooted in Cambridge Assessment International Education for Lower Secondary, our approach combines skills and content to provide a well-rounded educational experience.
A comprehensive system that includes research and record-keeping, structured assessments, reflective activities, and project-based tasks. These varied approaches allow students to engage with their learning in written, oral, and multimedia formats.
Collaboration and cooperation are at the core of Middle School at Beacon Academy. Students have opportunities to work together, cultivating social and emotional skills during homeroom sessions. Real-life exploration is a key component of our program, offering students the chance to meet specialists, ask relevant questions, and think outside the box. Field trips and expert visits are just a few examples of the exciting opportunities we provide.
Interdisciplinary tasks and mini-projects are integrated into our curriculum, encouraging students to celebrate their learning and enjoy the connections between different subjects. Clubs, Individual Research Projects (IRPs), and Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) are added to promote independence and organization within the learning process.
To ensure academic rigor, each unit within the six to eight-week cycle is carefully planned by the Middle School team. This allows students to develop the necessary skills across various subjects and specializations. Major assessments take place twice a year., where students can showcase their thinking, communication, critical reading, and writing skills.
Each lesson includes various Assessment for Learning (AfL) strategies, enabling personalized feedback and continuous growth.
Beacon Academy believes that assessment and evaluation should promote quality learning. Teachers maintain high expectations of students and use multiple assessments approaches that respond to the diversity of learners. Formative assessments allow the learners to negotiate different learning opportunities with teachers. It is also a method that teachers use to continually assess students through observations, checklists, planning and drafting and a continual feedback process
Summative assessment is a more formalised assessment process. This involves teachers identify learning goals and developing assessment items based on defined criteria for the end of learning cycle. Summative assessments includes, but is not limited to; media projects, research assignments, written tasks, presentation, low-stake testing and formal examination.
In Middle School, learners undertake one individual Research Project every year. The IRP is an essential piece of work that is the product of the students own imagination, creativity and innovation. Each project must reflect a personal understanding of a chosen subject area and can take many forms. The IRP is completed under the supervision of a teacher in the school and involves planning research, analysis and reflection.
Cambridge Checkpoint tests are for use at the end of Cambridge Secondary 1. They provide Beacon Academy with an external international benchmark for student performance. Cambridge Checkpoint enables feedback to be provided on a learner’s strengths and weakness in key curriculum areas. Feedback of this kind is an invaluable source of information. Learners receive a Statement of Achievement which gives an indication of their academic progress during this education stage.
A transforming learning experience which aims to put theory into practice; enabling students to apply their knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. Through hands-on learning experiences, students actively engage with the content, fostering a deep understanding of the subjects they study. Our dedicated teachers guide and mentor students, creating a supportive environment that encourages curiosity, resilience, and independence.
With Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and The Virtues ProjectTM at the heart of the Homeroom sessions, students develop self-awareness, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills. Middle School at Beacon Academy prioritizes the holistic development of our students, nurturing their academic growth, character, and ability to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Cambridge Secondary 1 provides progression a seamless progression from cambridge primary to develop learners skills and confidence in English, Mathematics and Science. It offers a framework for educational success with a comprehensive and reputed assessment structure.
Cambridge Secondary tests provide detailed feedback on learners’ strenghts and weaknesses in the core skills of English , Mathematics and Science at the end of each year level. This feedback is used to further support the student in their learning development, which leads to the Cambridge checkpoint examination at the end of the Year 8.
Cambridge secondary 1 identifies a comprehensive set of learning objectives for English, Mathematics and Science, which focus on what learners should be able to do at the end of each year level. This provides learners with excellent preparation for life at Senior School which includes Cambridge IGSCE.
