Middle School (age 11-14 / Primary 7 – S2)
A unique approach at a key developmental stage
Join a nurturing community where dynamic learning experiences and opportunities empower every young person to flourish.
A middle school where everyone belongs
We foster a culture of high trust and belonging to create a community where middle schoolers thrive. In this supportive environment, students are encouraged to be caring risk-takers, confidently exploring their emerging identities as they undergo rapid personal and academic growth. By trying new things to find their passions, they forge lasting friendships, build resilience, and establish a strong foundation for future success.

Becoming responsible and empowered learners
Opportunities for real world experiences that will create lifelong memories.
Exciting Field Trips Await
Our students embark on thrilling adventures that enhance their learning and help them understand and appreciate the world around them.
Discovering who they are, shaping who they'll become
Learn more about our MYP curriculum, our unique approach to the middle school and what that means for you
What is your vision of a Middle Schooler?
Middle Schoolers develop their rich understanding of the world through all their interactions. Social identity becomes increasingly important in social dynamics as middle schoolers look beyond the family for their sense of identity and belonging and strive to understand the wider world. They’re often fun, adventurous and inquisitive as they explore their interests, passions and beliefs while shaping their sense of identity – questioning the world around them and challenging norms.
Middle schoolers wrestle with big questions and are curious. We know their brain is undergoing significant changes at this age, as they develop and strengthen many areas of their processing, thinking and personality.
How do you support students at this stage?
Our ecosystem of care in middle school takes a holistic approach with dedicated advisory teachers, heads of grade, learning support teachers, a nurse, and a qualified school counsellor. We have specialist teachers who are experienced in this transformative stage in a student’s life and care deeply about encouraging them in their learning and development.
At this stage in their education, there’s also a focus on teaching students strategies which help them become responsible and empowered learners, encouraging them to take risks in their thinking and building strong people skills.
These transferable skills are integrated across all subjects and help students “learn how to learn” by providing strategies for asking questions, setting goals, managing emotions, collaborating and effectively using information in both academic and real-world contexts.
What does the Middle School curriculum look like at ISA?
Our middle school students study a broad curriculum each year, in line with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). It includes eight subject groups: Language Acquisition, Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design.
These subjects are studied in depth, often with connections to real-world issues, and are structured around global contexts and the development of critical thinking skills. Interdisciplinary projects help students see the connections between subjects and the real world applications of their learning.
How do you support health and social development?
Our students also take a Global Citizenship class each week, which include personal, social and emotional health discussions. They have Community Time – a chance for the whole school to join in with activities such as team building, house challenges, service learning and assemblies.
How can I learn more about the IB and MYP?
You can visit www.ibo.org to learn more or ask us if you have questions – we’d love to chat to you.
Our Middle School team
Meet the dedicated professionals supporting our students.
Facilities
Explore the modern facilities that help Middle Schoolers thrive
Our middle school classrooms promote collaboration for inquiry-based learning, while also giving students flexible choices for work stations. Modelled on the very latest thinking in learning and workplace design, we have created a different dynamic with flexibility for students to suit their learning needs.
Outside of the classroom, our performance, art, and sports facilities offer endless opportunities to build friendships, hone skills, and practice teamwork. Middle school students can use our world class on-site sports facilities during PE, for after school activities, and also during their lunch break times. Our vast grounds, complete with woodlands and green spaces, tennis courts and astroturfs provide the perfect backdrop for students to relax and socialise in the fresh air.
“I came to teach at ISA with the intention of spending two or three years exploring Scotland before moving on to another adventure. That was ten years ago. I have never experienced a school that balances individual student needs and an expectation of excellence so well as ISA. The way students respond to the environment is inspirational, and I find myself as excited for what we’re doing in year ten as I was in year one.”
Cruz Ordonez
High School Language & Literature Teacher
“The staff are excellent and caring, the after-school activity programme offers something for everyone, and the wider school community is incredibly welcoming. We’ve been at ISA for over 8 years now and can’t imagine going anywhere else. Students are encouraged to build on their strengths but are also challenged to take risks and try something new. Our daughter has gone from being extremely shy to standing in front of the whole school performing a solo. The students love coming to school every day, which is the highest praise I think anyone can give.”
Michelle Aitken
Parent of Grade 8 Student
“ISA encourages you to be your own person and is very welcoming. It suits people of all different personalities, with their own academic goals, and provides an environment where you can decide for yourself your goals and what you want to excel in.”
Ivan Delozari
Class of 2025 ISA graduate
“ISA is a welcoming, vibrant and highly inclusive environment for learning. Through innovative whole-school initiatives, children and young people are developing personal leadership qualities that prepare them particularly well for learning, life and work. The highly-skilled and motivated staff deliver learning that is well-paced and planned carefully to meet the needs and interests of all children. There is a respectful, calm and nurturing environment in classes and this leads to learners feeling well supported in their learning.”
HM Inspectors
Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023
It’s just a really nice atmosphere. I think that because it’s such a community, you get to know everyone very well, and the teachers even more. They’re not just there to get you through the content; they actually know each student very well. It’s a real community. The relationships, the opportunities, the support. It’s something special. There’s space to be yourself and space to grow.
Marla Carmichael
Class of 2025 ISA graduate
ISA is a school filled with all types of people. I truly believe there isn’t many schools like it. No matter where you’re from, what you’ve been through, or how you’ve lived, there’s always someone who’s your match. At ISA I think all of us students follow one rule, even though we’ve never been told to. This rule is that we won’t let anyone walk alone.
Faris
Grade 7 Student
ISA has provided a perfect balance for our children to grow up Scottish but with a strong global mindset and a curiosity for other parts of the world. The IB programme is providing them with a well-rounded, globally recognised education that will best prepare them for university and beyond.
JT & Andrea Hewitt
Parents of 4 ISA students
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Image gallery
Explore our school community through these images which bring our very special middle school to life!