Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme 

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2002, 2007

Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School is home to two International Baccalaureate programs: the Diploma Program (DP) for students in grades 11 and 12 and the Middle Years Program (MYP) for students in grades 9 and 10. B-CC is also in partnership with Westland Middle School, which houses the first three years of the Middle Years Program. The two IB programs provide a coherent educational framework which seeks to develop students who are creative and compassionate individuals by promoting international awareness and understanding. The programs operate under the fundamental philosophy that by educating students, we create a better world.

The International Baccalaureate was founded in 1968 and in the years since its inception has become a worldwide model of an educational framework that values academic integrity and intellectual rigor. The IB offers four different programs of study, the Primary Years Program (PYP) for students ages 6-10, the Middle Years Program (MYP) for students ages 11-16, and the Career-related Certificate Program (CC) and the Diploma Program (DP) for students ages 17 and 18.

The IB MYP teaches tools for lifelong learning and fosters responsible attitudes that help students discover how to use what they learn to take principled action. At B-CC, the IB MYP includes:

•       rigorous learning objectives

•       a student-centered approach to teaching

•       international perspectives

•       concern for the whole child sustained teaching and learning in more than one language

•       a focus on learning how to learn

•       the development of flexible thinking that prepares students to evaluate information critically and apply knowledge in complex, unfamiliar situations.

Instruction for all of our students emphasizes international mindedness and critical thinking as the overall goal of the MYP is to develop students who will be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and responsible global citizens. The global contexts, the learner profile, the balance of eight subjects, and the personal project are at the core of the Middle Years Programme.

MYP at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School 

 The MYP  provides a coherent and comprehensive curriculum that merges a framework of academic challenges and life skills with the Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional Guides.  The program is intended to promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing the importance of a broad and balanced education.  Teachers focus on the inclusion of skills and processes built around a framework of concepts; the aim is to teach not only content knowledge but to also help students develop a genuine understanding of the underlying principles in each discipline and apply these in a new context in preparation for further learning. The curriculum is taught through the following eight subjects.  

   Teaching and learning in the MYP is underpinned by the following core components:

Approaches to learning (ATL), helping students learn how to learn by developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self‐management

Key and related concepts, helping students explore big ideas that matter

Global contexts, helping students understand the relevance and importance of their study for understanding their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet

Personal Project, helping students in grade 10 construct in‐depth knowledge on a topic of their choice

Service as Action through Community Service, helping students develop as caring members of our community

These core components are integrated in all eight subjects of the program. 

Registering for the Diploma Programme

Tenth graders at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School have an opportunity to enter the IB Diploma Programme for their 11th and 12th grade years. The registration process begins in December with an informational meeting for parents and students. You can learn more about why students choose the Diploma programme from this IB Experience at MCPS video.