Middle school, which some educators also view as the most important years in a child’s education, or the most “fertile years”, is a vital time to lay the groundwork and learn the study skills that will help students excel not only in high school but in college and the professional world as well.

This explains why the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) pays serious heed to middle school, one of the educational levels the school offers, and makes the learning environment its main focus to help students who are in early adolescence negotiate the impact of puberty on their intellectual, social and emotional lives.

“Middle school is a vital time to lay the groundwork and learn the study skills that will help students excel not only in high school but in college and the professional world as well.”

Home to students representing more than 60 nationalities, JIS prepares your child for university as a creative, inquisitive learner in a mixed environment.

According to JIS Middle School Principal Christophe Henry, courses and programs are designed through a thorough understanding of what middle school students are all about, their behavioral traits, inclinations, needs, etc.

Henry views Indonesia, a diverse country in terms of culture, religion, language and ethnicity, as a good setting where students can learn and implement such good values as respect, compassion, tolerance and empathy, which is part of the character building program that the school highly emphasizes to help them to be good citizens.

Middle school students are in a big period of change, characterized by, for example, their fondness of experimenting with their language, behavior, attitude and the way they dress. “They also try to seek independence from their parents. That’s why we adopt the ‘culture of care’ approach, which distinguishes us from other schools,” said Henry.

“With the culture of care, we make sure that we are working with the students,” he said.

Apart from their fondness for experimentation, the middle school students are, by nature, apt to make friends and enjoy conversations, as well as to exchange ideas. “The students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with value-added interaction and embrace diversity and a sense of tolerance, which they find highly meaningful as they learn in a campus with an international setting. “We create a creativity-stimulating and interactive environment conducive to what they need,” he said.

Bali Stage and Independent Study

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Henry cited the Bali Stage and Independent Study as examplary programs that can boost the quality of the students, not only in terms of academics but also personal growth. The Bali Stage, held every Friday morning, is part of a program to build community, very important for students to feel that they are part of the community, part of the group instead of being one person only. It serves as an assembly point for all students.

“They get together to hold either a singing performance, make a presentation, or do activities that interest them. By having a program together or in a group, they indirectly learn the importance of responsibility, respect, trustworthiness and other pillars of character,” he said.

Given that each student is blessed with his or her own strength and talent, JIS offers a wide range of programs, including mathematics, science, performing arts, drama, robotics, designs, dance, choir and so forth, which the students take based on their interest and passion. Despite the many available programs, JIS also provides an opportunity for students to propose an area of study that interests them under an independent study program.

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Furthermore, with students given an opportunity to engage with their interests and passions, many can showcase their gifts. Therefore, by the time they leave middle school, they have had exposure to many different things and they know what they are good at, which helps them make decisions in high school. “This way, they can achieve a high academic level, because they study a subject they highly enjoy. On top of that, we also provide a gifted program that allows gifted students to grow and pursue their talents, which can be in academics or art,” Christophe said.

According to Christophe, those that have a passion for one particular subject will become lifelong learners. “The middle school, I think, is very good in showing kids that they have an opportunity to understand their interest, passion and strengths so that they can pursue those throughout their lives. In this way, they become creative, lifelong learners,” he said.

A study environment with the “culture of care” that JIS offers will, undoubtedly, inspire middle school students to take rigorous classes and keep them engaged in learning. So, when it comes to preparing your child to enter high school, just leave it to JIS to guide your child to future academic success. Here, your child will be encouraged to be a creative risk taker and an inquisitive learner in a mixed cultural environment, ready to prepare for university.

Learn more about the JIS Middle School program:

www.jisedu.or.id

@MSNagaNaga      @msnaganaga

For further information, please contact:

The Admissions Office

Jakarta Intercultural School

Tel: 021 769 2555 ext.16566, 021 750 7650

Email: admissions@jisedu.or.id

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