The Middle Years Program specifically focuses on developing active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.”

Melissa Haugen, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program coordinator, Anthem K-8 School

At the beginning of sixth grade, all Anthem K-8 students enter a comprehensive curriculum of study called the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.

Anthem K-8 became a fully authorized IB World School in January 2022. It’s the only fully authorized K-8 school in Pinal County to deliver the IB Program.

All Anthem K-8 students in grades sixth through eighth qualify for the program as it is inclusive to all students. In the program, sixth through eighth graders must take each of the following courses:

• Language and Literature (formerly ELA)
• Individuals and Societies (formerly Social Studies)
• Language Acquisition (all students will take Spanish)
• Science
• Mathematics
• Physical and Health Education (minimum of 50 hours per year)
• Design (minimum of 50 hours per year)
• Arts (includes visual arts, band or choir for a minimum of 50 hours per year)

In addition to the courses, students also complete individual research into topics that are of interest to them. They also engage in various forms of community service to work for a better world and create international and global mindedness.

The main goal of the program is to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect, along with a life-long desire for learning and excellence. The Middle Years Program specifically focuses on developing active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.

The program empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.

This past school year, sixth-grade students created handmade friendship bracelets to sell and raised $932.17 for the Pinal County Animal Shelter. The seventh-grade students did face painting during a PTA meeting at the end of school year luau and raised $200 for the American Cancer Society. Eighth-grade students collected gently used or new T-shirts, blankets, bedding, animal toys and treats to support the Pinal County Animal Shelter, filling 20 large yard bags.

Anthem also held “The Spanish Speaking Countries Exhibition” during Hispanic Heritage Month. Students in grades seventh and eighth prepared an exhibition where they shared interesting facts about the 21 Spanish-speaking countries, as well as the cultural traditions and important celebrations, food and traditional rhythms.

For this upcoming school year, we hope to expand upon our community service projects and our Spanish-speaking exhibitions.

The program serves students through 10th grade, as Anthem K-8 has a partnership with Florence High School to continue what students learn. After completion of the Middle Years Program in grades ninth and 10th, students in grades 11th and 12th enter the IB Diploma Program at Florence High School.

Students can graduate with one to two years of college credits and completion of the full IB program.

The first IB World School was founded in the United States in 1971. There are currently around 1,900 authorized IB World Schools in the U.S. and more than 5,000 IB World Schools in more than 150 countries.

Melissa Haugen is the assistant principal and International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program coordinator for the Anthem K-8 School in the Florence Unified School District.