Middle School (Grade 6 - 8)

Middle School is about connections. It's a time to build powerful bonds between friends, between learning and real life, between interests and actual experiences. Soon enough hard choices about college and life direction will emerge, but this is a time to explore joyfully and freely -- leaving no possible strength or talent undeveloped. Wondering what Middle School at JIS is like? Here's a peek at the school we love. 

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The Middle School serves approximately 570 students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 who range in age from 10 to 14. The highly qualified MS faculty totals 60.


Structure

Learning Communities 

Middle School students and teachers who share the same classes belong to a Learning Community (LC). LC's build community as members share academic, recreational, service and other experiences together. LC's also offer teachers of different disciplines a structure for common planning, support and communication which ultimately strengthens care, accountability and learning for all students. 

MS Schedule

The Middle School utilizes a block schedule format for the school day. Each student attends homeroom, 2 academic Core blocks and 2 Exploratory or Elective blocks per day. The core blocks are 90 minutes and the elective/exploratory blocks are 70 minutes in length. Daily Silent Sustained Reading, lunch, and optimal breaks complete the MS schedule. 

Of Interest

What Should I Wear?

JIS has a dress code but not a uniform. Details are provided in Admissions materials and in the Divisional Handbooks.

Where Can I Eat?

Full breakfast, lunch and dinner options are available at reasonable prices in the JIS Wantilan cafeteria. The cafeteria also hosts ethnic food outlets, a fresh fruit stand, and a coffee stall. There are also two parent-run stores: D'Toko, a community school supply and food store, offers healthy choices for breakfast and lunch, and the Booster Hut, a JIS merchandise and food store which serves healthy grab-and-go meals including sandwiches, salads and home-baked treats. Snacks and beverages are also available at both outlets.

 

 

 

 

 


Focus

We are passionate about teaching adolescents. Middle Schoolers ask key questions about themselves as they explore the world and transition from childhood to adolescence. Academically and emotionally, we believe this period is best accompanied by a broad, balanced and personally challenging education that grabs and keeps a child's attention and further fuels a love of learning.

 

MS Schedule

Each school year is organized into two semesters. Courses can be one or two semesters in length. The Middle School utilizes a block schedule format. Each student attends 2 academic core blocks and 2 exploratory or elective blocks per day. The core blocks are 90 minutes and the elective/exploratory blocks are 70 minutes in length.

Academic Core Classes

Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies/World Studies are considered academic Core classes. The 90-minute block for each Core class allows students to explore subjects in greater depth, to understand topics through relevant activities, and to be team-taught by teachers across disciplines when opportunities arise. 

Full explanations of all Core classes, including our unique tiered approach to Math can be found in the MS Course Description Guide. 

The Elective and Exploratory Program

Beyond Core classes, our elective and exploratory courses encourage students to explore areas of interest, attempt new challenges, and develop new or existing skills.  Efforts are made to provide balanced exposure between visual arts, performing arts, and technology courses. 

Possible Grade 6, 7 Exploratories: Technology, Design Art, Movement, Indonesian Art, Vocal Music, Drama, Indonesian Studies, Electronic World, Robotics, Navigating Middle School

Possible Grade 8 Electives: Advanced Band, Advanced Strings, Movement, Theatre Workshop, Vocal Performance, Design Art, Ceramics & Sculpture, Drawing & Painting. 

Limited Electives are available to students in Grades 6 and 7 in the areas of instrumental music and modern languages. These include Beginner and Intermediate Band and Strings; and Indonesian, Spanish, French and Mandarin.

 

See MS Course Description Guide for more detail, including a flow chart for Modern Languages.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 





 

 

Even the most positive, self-directed learner needs gifted teachers, mentors, counselors, tools and other resources to learn. Here are a few resources MS students and parents value most.  

 

Faculty

Faculty are the most influential learning resource for students at the MS. They are a caring, highly qualified and multicultural team, carefully selected for their ability to make a positive impact on student lives and learning.

Technology and Library Media Center (LMC)

Click here for a K-12 overview of Technology and Library Media Services at JIS.  

Student Support Services   

Click  here  for a K-12 overview of Student Support Services at JIS.

Counseling

Counselors are an integral part of the Middle School educational team and assist students with personal and academic issues, monitor individual welfare and academic progress and consult with teachers and parents when needs arise. They also provide support for parents. Counselors encourage you to contact them regarding any questions or concerns about the Middle School experience.   

Learning Support

In addition to K-12 services, Middle School students in need of learning support...              

 

 

 

Co-Curricular Program 

We offer Middle School students a wide variety of co-curricular activities. Each is designed to be inclusive and to help students develop individual interests, confidence, "can-do" attitudes and social skills. Examples of the MS Co-Curricular activities include:

School Exchanges, Bali Stage Events, Awareness Weeks, Awards Programs, Visiting Author Week, UN Day Festival, Service Learning projects, House Activities, ESP Trips, Guest Speakers, MS Picnic Days, Assemblies, Dances/Parties, MS Madness Days, and Drama Productions.

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AMIS 

JIS belongs to the Association of Music in International Schools. Through AMIS, Choir and Strings performers travel to join with students in other international schools under the direction of world class instructors (like our own). 

 

Sports 

Sports and competitive athletics are alive and well at the Middle School. You will have options ranging from competitive league play to recreational games. Events like the Weber Classic Track and Field Meet and Jakarta Athletic League tournaments are highlights. Sporting seasons include:

Track & Field, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Badminton and Touch Rugby 

Clubs

The Clubs Program is a special part of the JIS Middle School Co-Curricular Program that provides opportunities for students to explore interests and service related activities that they may not be able to participate in during the regular school day. The following Clubs have been offered in previous years:

Agri-JIS, Habitat for Humanity, Animal Rights Club, Marine Environment Club, KDM, Green Guardians, Global Issues Network, World Cup Club, Jazz Band, Math Counts, AMIS Strings, Choir and Band, Sign Language, and Model United Nations. 

A Clubs Fair is conducted at the beginning of each semester, providing students with the opportunity to find out information about each club, to meet sponsors as well as to sign up for the clubs which may interest them. 

Intramurals

The Intramural Program consists of coeducational sport activities that are open to students of all skill levels. Members of the Middle School faculty serve as sponsors (leaders) of each activity. Some examples of Intramurals conducted in previous years include:

Archery, Indoor Soccer, Tennis, Softball, Badminton, Cross Country, Basketball and Rock Climbing  


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Extended Studies Program 

The Extended Study Program (ESP) takes all Grade 6, 7, and 8 students on an unforgettable Indonesian travel experience. The program includes one week of travel in April or May, during the second semester of each year.

Travel Plans 

Starting close to home in Grade 6, students travel to the rice fields, lakes and rivers of Bogor, a town situated an hour from Jakarta on the way to the tea plantations of Puncak.

In Grade 7, students venture further to the island of Bali. This cultural quest allows students to choose itineraries and activities with different themes and degrees of adventure. Students study Bali as part of their World Studies Curriculum and this trip links the learning outcomes with this course.

In Grade 8, students choose from a range of locations throughout Java and pick the level of challenge that suits them best. Each trip focuses on the same three objectives: Cultural appreciation, service learning and personal growth and development. Recents trips have put emphasis on the marine environment, endangered species, communities, indigenous rights and conservation.

Regardless of the destination, when students pay the archipelago an extended visit, they gain an appreciation for Indonesian culture and language, further develop the Essential Qualities in new learning environments, and build naturally on local travel experiences they enjoyed in Elementary School at JIS. 

Details 

The Extended Study Program is a compulsory component of the Middle School curriculum and is an additional expense beyond regular tuition fees. However, many companies that pay dependent tuition also cover the cost of ESP’s.