The Middle School
Welcome to middle school at Stafford International School. The middle school years are full of transition and change. At SIS our goal as educators is meet students where they are both academically and socially balanced and create an active engaging learning environment where every student develops a love for learning and the tools to become lifelong learners and world changers. I am honored to work with a staff that is dedicated to creating environments where students are encouraged to learn and grow and thereby produce world class results. We hope that every student will leave SIS knowing that they are valued, that they are loved, and that they have incredible purpose.
Between the ages 10-15 years, children experience tremendous physical, social and cognitive growth. While we are first and foremost an academic institution, we take great care to help students to reach their full potential as their minds, bodies and social circles expand. Our students experience a multitude success in the classroom, the playing field and on stage. In addition, our students are actively involved in numerous clubs and societies that suit all interests. We recognize that while middle school serves as a bridge between elementary and high school, there is so much richness and depth that is necessary in the middle school experience.
To those who already have children in middle school at SIS, thank you for sharing your children with us. To those who are looking at SIS as a potential school for their child, I hope that you take some time to consider walking down the road of education with us in the near future.
Middle School Fees
At Stafford we seek to have a diverse student population (reflecting society) and as a result try and make our fees affordable to a wide range of parents.
Fees do change each year but they are currently (2024-2025 Year) a termly fee of:
- Rising to Rs 220,000 in the Middle School.
Precise figures can be obtained from the school.
School Culture
- In middle School, students start to experience learning by making connections between the classroom and the real world. They take on challenges that require critical thinking, curiosity, open-mindedness, collaboration, and decision-making. Students get trained in state-of-the-art science laboratories and learn the basic scientific method whilst getting the opportunity to apply them to real-world problems. They build skills in writing and critical reading and learn to think creatively. They are members of a diverse, inclusive, and respectful community. Students will find activities that they love to do outside of school hours: sports, debating, drama. They are also gradually introduced to an academically rigorous curriculum that promotes independent thinking.
Curriculum
- Form 1 – 3 It is also at these levels that a firm grounding for the preparation for the IGCSE is laid. The syllabi of all subjects are designed with this objective, although more emphasis is laid on Mathematics and English. The curriculum is based on the UK’s National Curriculum. In addition to the above mentioned subjects, students learn Science, Geography, History, ICT, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Art, English Literature, French and either Tamil or Sinhala as their language option.To ensure a balanced curriculum and enhance the reflective process of learning, all students, in these levels, attend PT, Singing, Speech and Drama classes.Reading is encouraged by celebrating The Library Day, and Spelling Bees held annually, inspire our students to master their spelling.Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, at every stage, to ensure their development as full’-fledged individuals.Form 4-5 In Form 4, students begin the IGCSE course set by Cambridge Internatiponal Examinations. The Cambridge IGCSE is recognised by universities and employers around the world and students’ results in this examination are the first step to university admission. The course lasts two years with students taking the examinations at the end of Form 5. English Language and Mathematics are compulsory for all students. Students must choose at least 5 more subjects from the following list: Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, English Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, ICT, Business Studies, Accounting, French, Sinhala, and Tamil. These are the core academic subjects recognised as being most academically rigorous by top universities. Most British universities now have lists of ‘non-preferred’ subjects including Commerce, Accounts, Psychology and Law. Students who take one of these subjects are at a disadvantage, when applying, and students who take two are not even considered, so this is why we do not offer them.