Dear Laker Community,

As an IB candidate school for the Middle Years Program (MYP), we are continuing our journey toward authorization, and this week marks an exciting milestone: the launch of the MYP Personal Project for our 10th grade students.

The Personal Project is the culminating project of the MYP. Over an extended period, students explore an area of personal interest, set their own goal, and work toward a product or outcome of their choosing. It is where years of MYP learning come together, and it helps students strengthen the skills they will need in further education and beyond.

The project has three parts: the process, which includes ideas, planning, research, and the challenges along the way; the product or outcome; and a report that tells the story of the project and its impact. Throughout, students practice the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, including self-management, research, communication, thinking, and collaboration. These are skills that serve them well in every subject and every stage of life.

For me, the most meaningful part of the Personal Project is watching students take ownership of their learning: asking their own questions, making their own decisions, and reflecting honestly on what they discover. The project gives them the opportunity to demonstrate a holistic approach, open-mindedness, and the habits of lifelong learners. It is also a chance for them to discover how capable they are when they are trusted to lead.

This is a project for our whole Laker community, and we invite you to be part of it. Over the coming months, our 10th grade students will be talking about their projects, and you can help by showing genuine interest. Ask them what they are working on and why it matters to them. Ask how it is progressing, what challenges they are facing, and what they are learning along the way. Ask how you can help, whether by listening as they talk through an idea, sharing a connection or resource, or offering encouragement when things get difficult. The project belongs to the students, so the best support is curiosity and encouragement, letting them lead and making their own decisions.

Our 10th grade students gathered for the Personal Project launch assembly yesterday, October 21, and have now begun a journey that leads to our Personal Project exhibition on April 14 and 15, 2027. We hope you will join us to celebrate their work!

We are proud of how far our MYP has come, and we know our work is not done. Thank you for being part of this journey with us! 

Ms. Katalina Da Silva Naged 

IB MYP Coordinator