Primary School - German Curriculum

Our primary school is where the foundations of learning are built. Our curriculum is aimed at students aged 6 to 10 years.

A German education in an international environment

As one of the first "Excellent German Schools Aboard", we offer our primary students a unique and international environment with over 65 nationalities.

Adapted transition to grow

The "Eingangsstufe (EST)" gives children who are 5 years old the opportunity to progress directly from kindergarten to primary school, ensuring a smooth transition adapted to the children's needs.

Caring and supportive Buddy System

Each new child is assigned a student buddy to help them make new friends, adapt to a new school routine and navigate the campus.

What our Parents and Students say about us

"GESS brings many nations together under the same roof. It is a modern school that is open to new methods and approaches, successfully integrating technological means in daily studies. Both of my children have also become more independent and confident. They are motivated to learn English. One of the special highlights for them is the wind instrument class, which has taught my daughter the importance of teamwork."

Family Wolf, Mother of 2 German Curriculum Students

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A CAMPUS IMAGINED BY OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Join us on a guided virtual tour of our international school primary campus and discover how our world-class learning facilities help our students grow.

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German curriculum Primary information

Maximum class size

24 students per class with an assistant teacher in some classes

School day

Full-days: 7:50 - 14:55
Short-days: 7:50 - 12:30
Extended afternoon programme: 12:30 - 14:55

Lunch

Freshly cooked food and snacks served in the canteen

School bus service

Supervised door-to-door bus service and shuttle bus available

Swimming programme

Dedicated weekly swimming lesson integrated into the timetable

Technology

1:1 iPad programme and technology tuition

Curriculum and pedagogical concept

Language options

Co-curricular, sports and STEAM programmes

Eingangsstufe

Entry requirements

Curriculum and pedagogical concept

The primary school curriculum was adapted according to the Baden-Württemberg competence-oriented education plan of 2016.

The following subjects are taught as part of the curriculum

German
English
Mathematics
Social Studies / Science
Art
Music
Religion / Ethics
Sports and Swimming

From Grade 2 onward, additional hours are dedicated to the instruction of:

Independent Work ("Eigenverantortliches Arbeiten" - EVA)
Cooperative Learning
Methodological Skills

Our pedagogy creates competencies in these areas:

Critical thinking
Cooperation
Creativity
Communication

In order to achieve this in the best possible way for our students, we define different priorities in our school development and accordingly, develop suitable pedagogical concepts, which are regularly evaluated.

Cornerstones of lesson development:

Competence-oriented teaching
Autonomous Work ("Eigenverantwortliches Arbeiten" - EVA)
Cooperative learning
Systematic advancement of methodological competence
Promotion of the German language
Targeted use of the latest technology in the classroom
Safe and responsible use of digital media
All children in "Eingangsstufe", grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 receive two additional German support lessons (German+).

Language options

English as second language
The language of instruction is German. English is taught as a second language by specialist language teachers in Primary school. There are four lessons a week of English in three different English levels:

Foreign Language (EFL)
English Intermediate Level (EIL)
English Near Native (ENN)

Mother tongue programme
As the home to over 65 nationalities, GESS offers a range of mother tongue languages that can be chosen as an optional afternoon language class in Primary School.

The languages are practised in a weekly 90-minute language enrichment programme (LEP) after school through fun and interactive language-focused activities.

Co-curricular, sports and STEAM programmes

At GESS, our students grow and develop through our extensive co-curricular programmes after school. We believe in giving our students the opportunities to discover their passions and interests both in and outside the classroom. Our students can choose from over 100 after-school programmes and activities taught by professionals including:

Build confidence and teamwork with over 20 sports programmes and competitive teams
Spark creativity through integrated and after-school arts and music programmes
Solve problems and build solutions to tomorrow's challenges in our STEM programme

More about after-school programmes

Eingangsstufe

The "Eingangsstufe (EST)" is a special programme for children aged 5 and 6 years old with the opportunity to progress directly from Kindergarten to Primary School. The "Eingangsstufe" is usually taught as a two-year programme. After completion of the programme, children progress to Grade 2 of Primary School.

The "Eingangsstufe" syllabus is the same as in Grade 1, but the daily routine is highly adapted to the needs of the children:

A sufficient amount of physical activity is guaranteed.
Playful and action-oriented learning and time allocated for free play, strengthen the children's personalities and promote social skills.
In the "Eingangsstufe", children learn to read, write and calculate right from the start.

Children between the ages of 5 to 7 learn together. In the purposefully mixed age group, children learn with each other and from each other and are guided towards independent behaviour and learning.

Every year in August, about 12 new students are admitted to the "Eingangsstufe". The class is taught by two teachers and the language of instruction is German.

Admission criteria:

Fulfilment of the age criterion
Social and emotional readiness for the school environment
Good command of German

Entry requirements

GESS is a non-selective German school and we welcome students with a diverse range of talents and abilities.

Year-round enrolment (students can start on any Monday)
In Grade 1 your child needs to be 6 years old by 31 July
German language skills must be at a near native or native language level, as teaching is in German
In exceptional cases, placement tests might be necessary for the student's benefit
Reference letter from previous school
School reports

Find out about more about the application process

Curriculum and pedagogical concept

Language options

Co-curricular, sports and STEAM programmes

Eingangsstufe

Entry requirements

Curriculum and pedagogical concept

The primary school curriculum was adapted according to the Baden-Württemberg competence-oriented education plan of 2016.

The following subjects are taught as part of the curriculum

German
English
Mathematics
Social Studies / Science
Art
Music
Religion / Ethics
Sports and Swimming

From Grade 2 onward, additional hours are dedicated to the instruction of:

Independent Work ("Eigenverantortliches Arbeiten" - EVA)
Cooperative Learning
Methodological Skills

Our pedagogy creates competencies in these areas:

Critical thinking
Cooperation
Creativity
Communication

In order to achieve this in the best possible way for our students, we define different priorities in our school development and accordingly, develop suitable pedagogical concepts, which are regularly evaluated.

Cornerstones of lesson development:

Competence-oriented teaching
Autonomous Work ("Eigenverantwortliches Arbeiten" - EVA)
Cooperative learning
Systematic advancement of methodological competence
Promotion of the German language
Targeted use of the latest technology in the classroom
Safe and responsible use of digital media
All children in "Eingangsstufe", grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 receive two additional German support lessons (German+).

Language options

English as second language
The language of instruction is German. English is taught as a second language by specialist language teachers in Primary school. There are four lessons a week of English in three different English levels:

Foreign Language (EFL)
English Intermediate Level (EIL)
English Near Native (ENN)

Mother tongue programme
As the home to over 65 nationalities, GESS offers a range of mother tongue languages that can be chosen as an optional afternoon language class in Primary School.

The languages are practised in a weekly 90-minute language enrichment programme (LEP) after school through fun and interactive language-focused activities.

Co-curricular, sports and STEAM programmes

At GESS, our students grow and develop through our extensive co-curricular programmes after school. We believe in giving our students the opportunities to discover their passions and interests both in and outside the classroom. Our students can choose from over 100 after-school programmes and activities taught by professionals including:

Build confidence and teamwork with over 20 sports programmes and competitive teams
Spark creativity through integrated and after-school arts and music programmes
Solve problems and build solutions to tomorrow's challenges in our STEM programme

More about after-school programmes

Eingangsstufe

The "Eingangsstufe (EST)" is a special programme for children aged 5 and 6 years old with the opportunity to progress directly from Kindergarten to Primary School. The "Eingangsstufe" is usually taught as a two-year programme. After completion of the programme, children progress to Grade 2 of Primary School.

The "Eingangsstufe" syllabus is the same as in Grade 1, but the daily routine is highly adapted to the needs of the children:

A sufficient amount of physical activity is guaranteed.
Playful and action-oriented learning and time allocated for free play, strengthen the children's personalities and promote social skills.
In the "Eingangsstufe", children learn to read, write and calculate right from the start.

Children between the ages of 5 to 7 learn together. In the purposefully mixed age group, children learn with each other and from each other and are guided towards independent behaviour and learning.

Every year in August, about 12 new students are admitted to the "Eingangsstufe". The class is taught by two teachers and the language of instruction is German.

Admission criteria:

Fulfilment of the age criterion
Social and emotional readiness for the school environment
Good command of German

Entry requirements

GESS is a non-selective German school and we welcome students with a diverse range of talents and abilities.

Year-round enrolment (students can start on any Monday)
In Grade 1 your child needs to be 6 years old by 31 July
German language skills must be at a near native or native language level, as teaching is in German
In exceptional cases, placement tests might be necessary for the student's benefit
Reference letter from previous school
School reports

Find out about more about the application process

Useful Links

School Fees

Application guide

Learning Support

Learning Resources

Brochures

School brochure

Preschool brochure

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