Middle School

As a member of the American International School community, our teachers are committed to providing a dynamic educational experience to all students, supporting our school’s Mission, Vision and Expected Schoolwide Learning Results. As a school we share a commitment to ensuring our educational program is academically challenging, well-balanced, progressive, and taught with a global perspective.

Guided by the middle school philosophy, AIS Middle School provides a carefully structured, well-balanced curricular and co-curricular program that supports the development of the whole-child. Designed to meet recognized US educational standards, our Middle School program focuses on meeting the educational and social needs of the young adolescent. Our program balances appropriate content knowledge in all subject areas, strengthening the development of essential learning skills through a holistic approach to education.

All middle school teachers are sensitive to transition issues; firstly as students enter middle school from the elementary school environment and then latterly the transition into high school. Our program is designed to cater for the unique educational needs during these years of significant social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Teachers work as members of a grade level team where the same teacher will teach English and Social Studies, and another will teach Mathematics and Science. This not only provides students with continuity and consistency, it also supports effective pastoral care and promotes a positive school climate.

At AIS we continuously strive to move instruction beyond traditional texts, embracing cross-curricular projects, student collaboration and the integration of technology into all areas of the curriculum. Enriched by a school-wide commitment to a vibrant Visual and Performing Arts program, middle school students systematically build skills in Music, Art and Drama, culminating in our annual Middle School Production.  Our classrooms reflect a dynamic and active approach to teaching and learning with extensive IT support including digital projectors, computers and interactive whiteboards in every room. Specialist teachers in Mandarin, Physical Education, and Information Technology provide students with further opportunities to extend their learning, assisting us in the pursuit of nurturing well-rounded students.

To support our goal of a well-balanced curriculum, we have a number of established student- support programs formally organized within our Middle School program. As a school we actively practice conflict resolution strategies with an emphasis on building effective intra-personal communication skills. Our regular schedule also includes time every Wednesday afternoon for Personal and Social Development (PSD). These are teacher-led activities organized into 4 blocks across the school year, providing all students with an opportunity to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities designed to bring students and teachers together, supporting the development of strong social and interpersonal skills.

All middle school students and teachers are required to participate in our Outdoor Education and Leadership Program. Every September a series of residential camping and outdoor educational activities is organized for each grade level to strengthen student self-esteem, foster teamwork and cultivate leadership potential.  Accompanied by their grade-level teachers, all middle school students will spend a week away from school taking part in a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, rock-climbing and kayaking. All camps are organized, staffed and supervised by proven professional providers. Throughout the school year we schedule additional outdoor education days to continue the development of these important life-skills.

AIS Middle School benefits from a highly professional, committed and devoted faculty. We seek to hire teachers ideally experienced in the middle years, or with upper elementary backgrounds. We look for teachers who are dedicated to the middle school philosophy and have the qualifications; experience and professional attitude we feel will contribute to the ongoing development of our school. Teachers are expected to be team-players, willing to take an active role in the life of a vibrant middle school. All teachers are expected to be collaborative and eager to make a positive contribution to the AIS learning community.

We are now seeking to hire a full-time teacher of Language Arts/Social Studies and a Part-Time Teacher of Art (approximately 0.3), beginning August 14, 2008.