Six years of joint learning
Jens has started school as a so-called “Kann-Kind” at the age of 5. He is in the “Lernfrösche” group with the highly gifted Maria. At the PbG the first 3 years of education form the flexible beginners’ level. The number of years Jens remains in the beginners’ level can vary. But since he, like Maria, is a fast learner, he can move up from the beginners’ level to grade 3 after only one school year, where he is perfectly able to cope with the coursework. Max, on the other hand, is more of a day-dreamer and, due to a slight reading and writing disability, requires additional support. Lest his enjoyment and passion for learning should be daunted, he has the option of remaining a year longer in the beginners’ level without being considered to repeat a grade. He is simply given more time to find his learning rhythm at his own pace.
At the PbG, the children enjoy six years of joint learning. This experience gives them more time to develop and strengthen social skills like team spirit and the ability to communicate and to deal with conflict. Moreover, these six years offer the children more room to develop an individual profile early on and to receive the support they need. In this way, the PbG conforms to the requirements of international educational systems.
Schooling at the PbG starts with a flexible beginners’ level. Most students spend two years in this beginners’ level: grades 1 and 2. Very gifted students can move up directly to grade 3 after one year in the beginners’ level. Slower learners on the other hand can remain in the beginners’ level for up to three years. This flexible beginners’ level, coupled with the high level of personal attention children receive at the PbG, encourages children to start school early, while at the same time ensuring that no student needs to repeat a grade, as individual learning needs are quickly recognized.
Grades 3 and 4 follow the beginners’ level and continue on to the transition level with grades 5 and 6. Lessons in the transition level are held by qualified teachers on an advanced middle school level (Gymnasium level).
Even children starting at the PbG in grade 5 profit from six years of joint learning. They will be learning in the same mixed-age system as the students in the elementary grades right through to grade 10. Our concept for the secondary school level (grades 7-10) is currently being reviewed by the State education authorities. We fully expect to receive the approval in time for the school year 2012/2013. We are also in the process of drafting a concept for a profiled senior high school-level education leading up to the German high school diploma (Abitur) and a comparable international diploma, and will submit this concept for the approval of the authorities in due course.