Middle School

Welcome to Middle School

Dr. Ronald Lalonde

Middle School Principal

Message from the Principal

Welcome to Middle School,

Middle School students continue the path they started in the PYP program as they move to Grade 6. The IB Middle Years Program (MYP) is a holistic and academically challenging approach that aims to develop critically thinking, multilingual, conceptual learners, each with an awareness of how best to approach learning situations and apply their skills. The MYP sets students up to be aware of their strengths and to develop competencies through exploration and investigation.

As educators, we do our best daily to live the Mission of the KAUST School through igniting curiosity, inspiring creativity, and investigating solutions together with young people. Our Middle School staff develop strong connections with students designed to create an environment of belonging and inclusivity. We believe in, support, and celebrate the learning of our students and expand their notions of what is possible to achieve. I think you will be positively surprised by the ways our adolescent learners grow, achieve, and contribute in their time in the KAUST Middle School.

Parents, please keep informed through our Student-Parent Handbook, the weekly FOCUS, Parent Newsletters, scheduled parent information sessions and parent-teacher conferences, PowerSchool (our Student Information System) and Toddle (our Learning Management System). The school gathers parent perspectives through regular meetings with the Parent Advisory Committee and other invitational events for parents.

Dr. Ronald Lalonde

General Overview

In the Middle School there are over 350 internationally minded students who come from all around the globe. The academic program in our Middle School provides rigor and challenge as well as depth, breadth and variety across all disciplines. Aligned to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, we seek to create internationally minded inquirers who seek to make a positive difference in the world through applying their skills and talents.

In Grades, 6-8, our focus is on dynamic, personalized teaching and learning in small classes that create a special bond between students and teachers. We actively support our students, providing them opportunities to lead and become effective communicators. In-class specialist teachers ensure students’ learning needs are considered and supported. Collaborative inquiry and meaningful discussions create deep and authentic engagement and allow the diverse mix of students in our classrooms to emerge as a strength.

We seek to make our unique location and situatedness in a university setting a focus in our planning. We have a rich and varied co-curricular activities program that invites some of the teams and clubs to travel within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There is an active Student Leadership Group that functions on behalf of the student body and has been key in establishing student voice and a positive culture within the school.

We aim to include parents in their child’s educational journey. Each student works with an Advisor who is the key contact for parents, and provides a means for communication between the school and home. Our Advisory Program enables us to unpack our Learning Principles and Core Values in order to help your child become a more self-aware, kind, and aspirational young person.