Miri Piri Academy

Miri Piri Academy offers a curriculum and testing program that meets the highest academic standards for high school programs worldwide. Teaching at Miri Piri Academy is student-centered, project-based, and incorporates the multiple intelligences concept. All subjects except Punjabi language are taught in English.

Accreditation

Our comprehensive academic program is accredited by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), and we offer both IGCSE, AS and A-Level Certification. Students are eligible for admission to universities in more then 180 countries around the world.

Curriculum

The academic curriculum for all grades is based on the requirements of the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and is designed to prepare students for IGCSE, AS, and A-Level Certification. In addition to this core curriculum, our specialized program includes classes in the following:

• Computer Technology
• Punjabi as a Second Language
• Yogic philosophy and Practice
• Sikh philosophy and Practice
• Gurbani Kirtan and Tabla
• Fine Arts

Grades 3-8

The curriculum for students from 3rd to 8th grade provides a foundation for the requirements of the CIE curriculum. Core subjects include:

• English
• Mathematics
• Combined Science (Physics/Biology/Chemistry)
• History and Geography

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Grades 9-10

The curriculum in grades 9 and 10 prepares students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the world’s predominant international qualification for 14–16 year olds.

Students have the option to take internal examinations based on the CIE curriculum, or to take the IGCSE examinations.

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IGCSE Courses:

• English – First Language
• English – Literature
• History
• Mathematics
• Science – Combined

Grades 11-12

Students in grades 11 and 12 select Cambridge International AS and A Level courses, which give in-depth knowledge and lifelong skills that prepare them for success in higher education and employment. Students have the option to take internal examinations based on the CIE curriculum, or to take the CIE AS or A-Level examinations held in the month of May through June.

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AS and A Level Courses:

• English – Literature
• Mathematics
• Applied Information and Communication Technology
• Art and Design
• Biology
• Physics

Kundalini Yoga Teacher Certification

In addition to the A Level courses and our specialized program, 11th Grade students participate in Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training and are certified as Level 1 teachers by the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI).

Twelfth Grade students continue their training as Kundalini Yoga teachers, and participate in two Level 2 Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training modules during their senior year.

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Academic Supports

Study Hall

Homework given to the students is an integral part of the curriculum and is an extension of the work done in class. From Monday to Thursday study hall is assigned for the completion of homework for all students.

Language Support

Because Miri Piri Academy is an international school, some students arrive on campus without the level of English proficiency necessary to engage in mainstream classroom learning. Such students are enrolled into the English Support Program for the First term, and then join the mainstream English class during the second term. For all first year students, a Punjabi Support Program is also available, and students are enrolled in this program at their appropriate level.

Student Centered Instruction

In order to assist our students to achieve academic excellence, Miri Piri Academy has a Student Centered Instruction program that is designed to meet the unique educational needs of each student.  After assessing the needs of individual student’s, individualized supports are designed to emphasize the student’s strengths and minimize their weaknesses. A Resource Teacher is assigned to help teachers and administrators understand how to best work with that student in a positive way in order to improve student learning.

Each students’ progress is tracked, and the teachers meet with the Academic Director periodically in order to assess the progress of the student and decide on any further course of action.

Teacher Office Hours

Teachers remain on campus after the academic day is over in order to provide general academic support to students. Students who need assistance can visit the teachers during their office hours.

Academic Facilities

Academic facilities include fully equipped biology/chemistry and physics laboratories, a computer lab with 28 work stations, and a fully equipped library for research and enjoyment. We have 18 classrooms, each limited to twenty five students to promote effective learning.

The academic block is supplemented by the Art Building, which is dedicated to all forms of creativity and expression.  The facilities include:

• General purpose art studio
• Metalworks shop
• Pottery room with wheels and kiln
• Yoga/Dance Studio.

College Preparedness

Miri Piri Academy students are well prepared for the college experience. They are independent, self-disciplined and inspired to excel. Graduates in 2007 and 2008 were accepted at thefollowing colleges and universities:

• Adelphi University, New York
• California State University, East Bay
• ESEI International Business School, Barcelona
• Lewis and Clark College, Oregon
• Meredith College, North Carolina
• New York University
• San Francisco State University, California
• State University of New York, Geneseo
• State University of New York, Stony Brook
• University of Arizona
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, Santa Cruz
• University of Colorado, Boulder
• University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
• University of Oregon-Honors, Eugene
• University of San Francisco, California
• University of Southern California, LA
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia
• Vassar College, New York

Students who plan on attending school in the United States take SAT tests at a local high school. Our 2008 graduating class averaged 169 points above the average US high school student in the same year.

The Miri Piri Academy Guidance Counselor works to prepare each student for life after graduation. Each year they:

• Meet individually with students in eleventh and twelfth grade to start preparing for graduation.
• Evaluate students’ interests, abilities and resources to identify possibilities for future study.
• Provide support in gathering all of the necessary documents and information, completing college essays and submitting applications on time.

Extra Curricular Studies

The extracurricular program allows students an opportunity to delve deeper into the fine arts, enjoying regular practice and expert guidance. Extracurricular classes meet three times a week in the evenings, and all students are required to attend a class of their choice. Listed below are some of the topics offered to the students:

Raag: Raagas are the melodic scales of classical Indian music. Almost the entire Siri Guru Granth Sahib is set to specific Raagas. Our teacher, Ustad Narinder Singh Sandhu, is one of the foremost masters of the art in North India. His style of teaching is that of the oldest tradition of Raagam, which requires deep listening and exact emulation of the teacher on the part of the student. Ustad Ji is also teacher to the Cherdi Kala Jetha.

Tabla: Our tabla class is popular with many students, some of whom have already become quite proficient. The tabla is an Indian percussion instrument used in the classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent and in Hindustani classical music. Our teacher, Murli Ji, holds a Ph.D, and is himself one of the most accomplished tabla players in Punjab.

Sitar: The sitar is probably the best-known South Asian instrument in the West. Students benefit from skilled teachers and regular practice hours. They study the use of the instrument, as well as the Raagas of classical Indian music.

Bhangara: This traditional Punjabi dance is taught by a local Bhangara coach and gives students a taste of this joyful and popular tradition in northern India. Students practice and prepare for various dance performances throughout the year.

Arts: Students with a knack for creative expression can participate in art, photography and metal-works classes. The classes are held in our art department, which is equipped with a dark room, computers with digital editing software, a metal work shop, and all of the basic art supplies necessary to the classical arts of painting, sculpture, and pottery.

These are only some of the courses offered as extracurricular activities. Other classes, such as guitar, drama, and various forms of dance are often available.