Concept
Completion of lower secondary level and transition to upper secondary level
- After successful completion of the lower secondary level at high school level (grade 10) with the intermediate school leaving certificate (MSA), the students transfer to the qualification phase of the upper secondary level.
- At our school, teaching in the upper secondary level takes place according to the current timetable, with few exceptions in a classroom setting.
- Most subjects are compulsory, few optional. For example, at the beginning of grade 11, the students choose between chemistry and French.
Lesson standard of the upper secondary level
- The subjects German, English and mathematics are taught at a higher level of requirement, the other subjects at a basic level of requirement.
- Subjects at a higher level are comparable with advanced courses in Germany.
- Teaching follows the school’s internal curricula, which are based on the Thuringian curriculum. In subjects with core curriculum, they are based on the respective core curriculum. They take into account the educational standards, the subject-specific instructions and the uniform examination requirements for the Abitur.
- In preparation for possible subsequent study, students are educated to become more independent.
The German International Abitur (DIA)
Since 2018/19, the German International Abitur (DIA) has been accepted, replacing the former format of the German International Abitur Examination (DIAP).
The German International Abitur enables students to study in almost any country in the world.
- While its content is identical to that of the German Abitur, it places particular emphasis on the comprehensive acquisition of a foreign language – in our case this is English. Geography is therefore taught in English and biology is taught on a bilingual scale.
- The foreign language can account for up to 50% of all bilingual teaching, as well as in the subjects for the Abitur examination. In this way, a very high level of linguistic competence is achieved in both German and English, which goes far beyond that of normal foreign language teaching.
- At the end of the upper secondary school each graduate of the DIA has exams in three written subjects and in two subjects orally. There are three selectable formats for the oral examination.
- (presentation examination, argument/ controversial discussion and special learning achievement), which address and demand different, acquired communicative competencies of the students.
- The subjects for the Abitur examination are chosen by the students in grade 12 after detailed consultation.
- For the acquisition of the German International Abitur, the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) sets uniform examination requirements for all German schools abroad. The schools within one region write the same written examinations, except for geography.
- A representative of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) is responsible for ensuring that the Abitur exams are conducted properly.
- Additional information on the organization of the qualification phase and on the conduct of the Abitur examination can be found in the examination regulations and in the guidelines for the German International Abitur on the KMK website
- On entering the Upper Secondary Level, students receive a guide summarizing the most important regulations for them.
For all questions regarding school preparation for a profession or study programme that students are aiming for, our study and career counseling service is available at any time.
