Steinmühle International High School
The Steinmühle International High School offers students an internationally oriented education. In doing so, Steinmühle builds on its experience with international education at its bilingual elementary school and further develops the expertise it has gained for lower secondary school. Starting in the 2027–28 school year, students will be able to earn their IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) for the first time in 10th grade.
Steinmühle International High School
The Path to an International Degree
The Steinmühle International High School offers students an internationally oriented education. In doing so, Steinmühle builds on its experience with international education at its bilingual elementary school and further develops the expertise it has gained for lower secondary school. Starting in the 2027–28 school year, students will be able to earn their IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) for the first time in 10th grade.
Languages of Instruction
At the Steinmühle International High School, the curriculum is initially taught in English and German. Unlike the bilingual elementary school, English is established as the language of instruction for international subjects starting in Grade 5 in order to promote and ensure the language skills required for the English-language IGCSE diploma. Other subjects are taught in German or bilingually. This ensures that students acquire the necessary skills for a seamless transition to upper secondary education in Hesse.
The Language Policy
At the start of the lower school at the International Gymnasium, the curriculum is initially taught in both English and German. Grades 5 and 6 are designed as a language-building phase, so that joint language instruction becomes possible starting in Grade 7. The goal is for all students to increasingly perceive and use English as a working language starting in Grade 5, in preparation for the international diploma.
Native-Language Instruction and Foreign Language Acquisition
In order to offer intensive and individualized language instruction, separate language classes are provided in the lower grades. To this end, German and English classes are divided by language proficiency level as needed to promote the development of language skills and vocabulary in a way that meets students’ individual needs.
The bilingual instruction methodology is applied across all subjects to build a solid subject-specific vocabulary in both languages. In addition, as students’ language proficiency increases, the language program is expanded to include CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning). The instructional approach is always tailored to each learning group and their individual level of proficiency.
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
CLIL refers to the concept of integrated language learning. The European Commission already recommends this integrated language instruction for very young learners. It is an approach in which subject content and language merge, and the focus is on using the foreign language as a language of instruction. The foreign language is therefore not the subject of the lesson itself, but is used as a medium to explore, review, and reinforce lesson content. In CLIL, language skills are specifically developed in conjunction with the content.
The Teachers
The teachers at Steinmühle International High School are fluent in both languages and adapt their language use appropriately to the context of the lesson. For each subject, this means:
- In English class, the language of instruction is, of course, English. The curriculum includes a differentiated learning program, supplemented by additional support from permanent teaching assistants. Nearly all classes are taught by two teachers.
- The German course is structured similarly to the English course. In addition, there are DaZ (German as a Second Language) courses for various language levels that take place alongside regular classes; some of these may require an additional fee.
- Mathematics is taught bilingually, allowing students to build subject-specific vocabulary in both languages.
- Depending on the class and the teacher, elective courses are taught in English, bilingually, or in German.
If additional language support is needed to help students graduate from school, teachers will make recommendations accordingly. However, such support must be tailored to each individual and must be sought outside the school setting.
The Cornerstones of the School Concept
To align the challenges of the IGCSE international high school diploma with the Hessian school system, the following cornerstones are embedded in Steinmühle’s international education program:
Addition of Cambridge Subjects to the Curriculum
- Global Perspectives: Following the example of Steinmühle High School, which has already had positive experiences with project-based learning as a core subject, the Cambridge course “Global Perspectives” integrates independent project work on global topics into the curriculum. Topics include, for example, family, climate change, human rights, and animal welfare.
- Science: Cambridge treats the separation of the natural sciences as optional, so the high school’s interdisciplinary approach (NaUnt) to science instruction in the lower grades aligns very well with the Cambridge approach.
Intensive Language Study
- Language instruction in grades 5 and 6 is primarily taught by two teachers. This approach allows for individualized support for students based on their level of learning. The goal is to achieve the greatest possible alignment in language proficiency by the time students transition to grade 7. The instructional approach may vary depending on the learning group.
- In integrated language instruction, the cultural and linguistic diversity of an international class is consciously embraced, and learning from and with one another is reinforced.
Checkpoint Tests in 6th and 8th Grade
- Cambridge offers centralized Checkpoint tests (English, Mathematics, Combined Science) at the transitions from primary to lower secondary and later to upper secondary. These centralized exams are taken in 8th grade. The scope of the tests is determined individually by grade level. The cost of the tests is not included in the tuition.
iPads starting in 5th grade
- In grades 5 through 7, the iPad is used exclusively as a schoolwork device and remains at school.
Second Foreign Language Starting in 7th Grade
- For the second foreign language, students can choose between Spanish, Latin, or French, which involves participating in the school’s corresponding language trip in 9th grade.
Based on the content and skills to be taught, a class schedule was developed for the Steinmühle International Gymnasium that aims to enable students to transfer to either the German or international school system at any time. The daily schedule is aligned with that of a German-language Gymnasium.
Example: Class 5 Schedule
| Grade 5 Subject |
Lessons/Number of lessons |
| Religious Studies (Religion) | 1 |
| German | 5 |
| English | 6 |
| Math | 5 |
| Science | 2 |
| Art & Design (Art) | 2 |
| Music (1 choir + 1 music class) | 2 |
| PE (Physical Education) | 2 |
| Swimming | 2 |
| Global Perspectives | 4 |
| Geography | 1 |
| GuFi | 2 |
| Homeroom (Class Council) | 1 |
| Total | 35 |
The Steinmühle International High School is closely integrated with Steinmühle High School. As a result, there are many joint activities and points of contact. These include, for example:
- Participation in the 5th-grade musical, which is traditionally rehearsed and performed by the entire 5th-grade class at the end of the school year. A prerequisite is weekly group singing in the choir, which also takes place with the entire 5th-grade class.
- The students eat in the Steinmühle cafeteria.
- The shared recess periods for grades 5 and 6 allow students to participate in Steinmühle’s wide range of extracurricular activities.
- The week together traditionally concludes with a class council meeting—a concept that has proven successful at the high school. The class council provides a space for discussion and an opportunity to reflect on the week and address individual concerns.
- The classes at the International Gymnasium are included in the Steinmühle Gymnasium’s field trip program.
The IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is an internationally recognized school-leaving certificate from the United Kingdom. The Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s best-known international school qualification for students aged 14 to 16. The qualification is offered and recognized in over 145 countries. Approximately 6,100 schools worldwide offer the Cambridge IGCSE.
The final exams are administered centrally by Cambridge. At the International Gymnasium Steinmühle, exams are required in 5 subjects. The exam subjects are English as a First Language, German, History, Combined Science, and Mathematics. Each subject must be passed with a grade of at least C.
Participation in the IGCSE exams is optional.
This diploma is comparable to the Mittlere Reife in Germany and is recognized by the state of Hesse. It paves the way for subsequent international diplomas, such as A-Levels or the IB (International Baccalaureate).
Of course, a seamless transition to the upper secondary level at Steinmühle Gymnasium is possible after (successfully) completing the IGCSE exams. Likewise, the international school curriculum provides the foundation for earning the Hessian International Abitur at Steinmühle Gymnasium.
Tuition Fees at the International High School
An international school education is more expensive than a German alternative school, not least because of the intensive language instruction and the support and enrichment measures provided for this purpose. Parents of students at the international school are therefore billed a monthly tuition fee of 480,- €. In addition, all students in grades 5 and 6 eat together in the school cafeteria. The cost of lunch is currently (as of the 2026–27 school year) €55 per month. Starting in grade 7, participation in the lunch program is optional.
Costs for Individual Support
If students without bilingual or international school experience wish to attend the International High School Program at Steinmühle, we expect them to have language skills at least at the A1 level in both German and English.
If the student does not meet this language proficiency level, admission is still possible by arrangement, provided that additional remedial instruction or a language course is enrolled in. The costs associated with this additional remedial instruction, depending on the amount of work involved, must be paid separately.
Admissions Process
The admissions process for the International Gymnasium is the same as that of the Gymnasium.
- Students who meet the admission requirements may apply for the following school year starting in the second week of school after summer break. Please contact the school office by phone to schedule an appointment for an admission interview.
- Starting in November, families will be invited to a personal interview. In addition to the interview with your child and you as a family, a language test will also be administered.
- To get an initial assessment of their language level, your child can take the following test: Language Test
- You will receive a response regarding your registration before the Christmas break.
Key factors in the selection process include language proficiency, gender balance, and social and cultural diversity.
If, based on the criteria above, you are interested in a spot at our International High School, we would be happy to hear from you. To do so, please send your name, contact information, your child’s name and date of birth, and the name and location of your child’s current school to schule@steinmuehle.net.
Admissions Process
The admissions process for the International Gymnasium is the same as that of the Gymnasium.
- Students who meet the admission requirements may apply for the following school year starting in the second week of school after summer break. Please contact the school office by phone to schedule an appointment for an admission interview.
- Starting in November, families will be invited to a personal interview. In addition to the interview with your child and you as a family, a language test will also be administered.
- To get an initial assessment of their language level, your child can take the following test: Language Test
- You will receive a response regarding your registration before the Christmas break.
Key factors in the selection process include language proficiency, gender balance, and social and cultural diversity.
If, based on the criteria above, you are interested in a spot at our International High School, we would be happy to hear from you. To do so, please send your name, contact information, your child’s name and date of birth, and the name and location of your child’s current school to schule@steinmuehle.net.
Your contact person
Do you have questions about the school?
School Administration & Management
Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20
Do you have questions about the boarding school?
Boarding School Administration & Management
Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0
Do you have questions about the school?
School Administration & Management
Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20
Do you have questions about the boarding school?
Boarding School Administration & Management
Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0
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