Our Educational Guidelines

A key concern

Steinmühle is a comprehensive full-day school with a well-structured daily routine. We see ourselves as part of the tradition of pioneering educational concepts such as multi-channel learning (Pestalozzi), the development of independence (Montessori), practical competence (Dewey), and a free personality (Freinet). Similarly, we are committed to the findings of modern educational research (Helmke, Hattie) and hold ourselves to high standards regarding the quality of our instructional and extracurricular programs.

In doing so, we place particular emphasis on treating each individual fairly and viewing the school as a community in which the principle of equality (Juul) between students and teachers is put into practice.

High School Grade Levels at a Glance

Lower School (Grades 5 and 6)Middle School (Grades 7 through 10)Upper School (Grades 11 through 13)Upper School (Grades 12 and 13)

5th Grade

A Gentle Start to High School

Programs and projects on class formation, friendship, and mediation

First Foreign Language: English

NaUnt – Science Education

A Wide Range of After-School Clubs

Wind Instrument Class Program

6th Grade

“SpaLaFra” – one hour per week to choose a second foreign language

NaUnt – Science Education

Nature Tour to Scharbeutz on the Baltic Sea

Wind Instrument Class Program

7th Grade	Start of the second foreign language: Spanish, Latin, or French Experimental Instruction in Chemistry and Physics Theater Workshop Rowing in physical education classes during the warmer months, including a rowing camp Bilingual Geography Instruction Program
8th Grade	Methodology Training and Year-Long Project on the Topic of “The Future” Snow Sports Trip to Mayerhofen (eight days) Social Service Internship (eight school days) Offer: Bilingual History Class with a Trip to England A wide range of elective courses
9th Grade	Two-week internship Exchange program or language trip with the second foreign language Bilingual History Classes A wide range of elective courses
10th Grade	The Flexible 10th Grade Regular classes will continue through Easter, and from Easter through the summer, students can choose between “Fit for High School” review courses at Steinmühle and study abroad programs or internships outside of school. Bilingual Instruction in Politics and Economics

11th Grade

E1 / E2

Introductory Phase of the Specialized Upper Secondary Program

Classroom instruction, preparation for specialized tracks / advanced courses
Start of the 3rd Foreign Language
Project Trips
Elective courses, as well as computer science and geography
Program on Choosing a Major and Career Path
Bilingual Mathematics Instruction Program
“Entrepreneur’s License” Program

12th Grade

Q1 / Q2

Qualification Phase of the Specialized Upper Secondary Level

Profiles help maintain class cohesion even in the final years of school
Profile Projects and Profile Work
Career Exploration Internship (two weeks)
Bilingual Mathematics Instruction Program
Field trips related to the course in Q2 (if not in Q3)

Class 13

Q3 / Q4

Qualification Phase of the Specialized Upper Secondary Level

Field trips related to the course in Q3 (if not in Q2)
Abitur Prep Courses in Advanced Courses
High school graduation exams from April through June
Program: Bilingual Mathematics Instruction with the Option to Earn the “Hessian International Abitur”

Students can choose from six tracks. We offer seven tracks if there is sufficient demand (the 7th track being English as a first advanced subject):

	1	2	3
1. Advanced Course	German	Art	Political Science
Introductory Course	History	German	German
Introductory Course	Political Science	History	History

	4	5	6
1. Advanced Course	History	Math	Sports
Introductory Course	German	German	German
Introductory Course	Political Science	History	History

In addition to a profile and the core courses required by the Hessian Upper Secondary School and Abitur Ordinance, students must select an additional advanced course. The options are: