The cornerstones of Steinmühle International School’s concept

In order to achieve IGCSE standards, as well as meeting the curriculum requirements of the German state of Hesse, the following are cornerstones in our educational concept:

- Cambridge subjects in addition to the official Hessian curriculum:
  - Global Perspectives: Based on the Gymnasium’s positive experience with the main subject “Projekt“, the Cambridge subject Global Perspectives likewise intends free project work on global topics, such as family, climate change, human rights, animal welfare, and many more.
  - Digital Literacy: Pupils of the international school are requested to work with an iPad from Grade 5 on, hence an early introduction to media education is necessary. We meet this requirement in implementing the subject Digital Literacy, which deals with the usage of the basic programmes such as Word and PowerPoint, but also covers how to write an e-mail or how to use the Steinmühle’s app “StoneApp”. At the same time, using the internet in a safe and responsible manner will be addressed.
  - Science: Cambridge does not require separating the sciences. This interdisciplinary approach is already applied to the scientific classes in the Gymnasium’s lower grade (NaUnt), enabling the close cooperation of both school branches.
- Intensive Language Training:
  - Language classes will be taught in small groups in Grades 5 and 6, if required. Pupils will be divided according to their language level. In German the class will be split in groups of students with German as their mother tongue (DaM) and students who learn German as a second language (DaF). Similarly, English classes will be divided into classes for students whose mother tongue is English or whose level of English is already very advanced (EMT) and students who learn English as a foreign language (EFL). The aim is to enable pupils to achieve the best possible language training as well as the harmonisation of language levels by the transition to grade 7. (1)
  - To allow for joint language classes, the subject Joint Language Course (JLC) has been implemented. It intends to consciously connect the different cultures and languages of an international classroom and should enhance learning from and with each other.
- Checkpoint Tests in Grade 6 and 8:
  - Cambridge offers to take central Checkpoint Tests (English, Mathematics, Combined Science) at the transitions from Primary to Lower Secondary (Grade 6) and later to the Upper Secondary (Grade 8). These endorsed tests shall be implemented in the school’s concept. The costs for the tests are not included in the school fee.
- Freie Lernzeit (FLZ): time for individual learning from Grade 5 on
  - In addition to regular classes, there will be 2 lessons per week in which pupils can learn freely and individually, either with or without a teacher’s instruction, e.g. time for learning vocabulary, free practice time, working on a freely chosen project, language training, ….
- iPads in Grade 5
  - Due to the increased language teaching in bilingual/English-speaking lessons, the children should learn to use the iPad efficiently from Grade 5 on, e.g. looking up new words, learning vocabulary with suitable apps, or researching for projects.
  - The subject Digital Literacy requires an own device in order to learn and reflect one’s own usage with the new media.
  - Until the end of the primary education (end of Grade 6), the iPads will function as school devices and thus remain in school.
- Spanish as a second language from Grade 7
  - From Grade 7 on, Spanish will be taught as the second foreign language.
  - Participation in the language school trips in Grade 9.