Internationale Schule Frankfurt Rhein-Main

The Internationale Schule Frankfurt Rhein-Main (ISFRM or simply ISF) is a private school

Private school

Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...

in Sindlingen

Sindlingen (Frankfurt am Main)

Sindlingen is a district or Stadtteil of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It is part of the Ortsbezirk West, and is subdivided into the Stadtbezirke Sindlingen-Süd and Sindlingen-Nord. The Internationale Schule Frankfurt Rhein-Main is located in Sindlingen.A short walk from Sindlingen main street is the...

, a borough of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

. It is most notable for its strong focus on academic achievement through constant assessment.

Accredited by the Council of International Schools

Council of International Schools

The Council of International Schools is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which aims to improve international education...

, the school offers IGCSE

IGCSE

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is an internationally recognised qualification for school students, typically in the 14–16 age group. It is similar to the GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Standard Grade in Scotland or Junior Certificate in the Republic of...

, AS- and A-Level and AP

Advanced Placement Program

The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...

examinations. It has recently passed the application for the International Baccalaureate program and now offers IB courses as an alternative to the standard AS/A-Level and AP courses.

History

The International School of Frankfurt Rhein-Main was founded in 1994 as a public-private partnership in schools within Germany by the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce, the State of Hesse

Hesse

Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...

, the Frankfurt Economic Development GmbH and with financial support of international companies in the region. The school opened in September 1995 with 65 students enrolled in Kindergarten

Kindergarten

A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...

throughout Grade 8. In 2005, it celebrated its 10th Anniversary with an enrollment of around 900 students from 49 nations from preschool up through grade 13.

Assessment

Student performance is monitored through frequent assessment and progress reports. This is done to ensure that each student understands all previously covered material before new material is taught. According to the school, regular testing also prepares students for sustained mental effort over long periods of time and can help them to perform better under time pressure. At ISF, the assessment of students takes place in four forms:

Continual Assessment Tests (CAT)

Continual Assessment Tests (CAT) are monthly assessments in all academic subjects for students that are enrolled in grades 1-4. These tests are integrated into the normal timetable and are administered over a period of one week. They ensure that all basic knowledge taught in these primary grades is understood.

Academic Monitoring System

Also called AMS, these multiple-choice, computer-scored examinations are taken by students enrolled in grades 4-13. Depending on which subjects a student elected, they ensure that material covered in English (Grades 4-9), Mathematics (Grades 4-13), History (Grade 10), Economics (Grades 10-13), and Science (Grades 7-13) during the last week was understood. AMS examinations are taken on a weekly basis. Students in grades 7-9 who fail an AMS may retake it up to two times either during or after school. AMS examinations make up 20% of a student's grade.

Periodic Examinations

Periodic examinations take place on a weekly basis. These tests include a mixture of multiple-choice and written questions. They are usually supplied directly by SABIS but can also include earlier IGCSE and AP exam questions. Students in grades 5-13 take two to four of these exams per subject in each term. Up to three exams are taken each week during the first three periods of the examination day. Periodic exams make up 30% of a student's grade.

End-of-Term Exams

Also called Final Exams, they are written three times yearly and include questions on material taught over an extended period of time. They may contain both multiple-choice and short answer questions and are taken in all subjects in grades 5-13. Failure in any final exam during the last trimester of the school year requires a student to attend summer school. Final exams make up the final 50% of a student's grade. If a student fails a periodic exam the opportunity arrises for the student to re-take the exam but a score of above 80% may not be given. A student can re-take periodic exams up to six times a school year.

Athletics

The school's extra-curricular athletic program was integrated into the sport programs of the Rhein-Main

Rhein-Main

Rhein-Main may refer to:*Rhein-Main Region, a metropolitan area in central Germany*Rhein-Main Air Base, a former U.S. air base...

area with the foundation of the Sportverein ISF Sindlingen in 1999 because competitive sports in Germany are usually organized in sport clubs rather than by individual schools. The Sportverein ISF Sindlingen is member of the German Federation of Sports and competes in the leagues of the Rhein-Main area, and also participates in international competitions such as the GISST.

Members have a choice of the following sports:

Cross Country
Basketball
Gymnastics
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

ISF's strongest sport is swimming, causing it to become the recent recipient of the Peter Murphy Trophy, which is presented to the school which accumulates the most points in all of the GISST sports tournaments.

Student life

The school offers many extra-curricular activities ranging from study clubs to outdoor sport activities through the Student Life Organization (SLO). SLO is a so called mini-society run by students for students, under the management of an SLO coordinator. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to help create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. For students enrolled in grades 4-9, it is mandatory to enroll in extra-curricular student life activities. Students in higher grades can also pursue these activities in their free periods. Activities offered by the Student Life Organization include:

Team Sports
Arts and Crafts
Ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...

and Dance
Drama
Band, Choir, Music Lessons
Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...

, Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...

The Student Life Organization also plays an important role inside the classroom. Group Leaders provide immediate help to their classmates if they do not understand something. After a teacher has presented a concept and an accompanying exercise, Group Leaders will check their peer's work to assist the teacher in locating and filling learning gaps.

Discipline System

ISF uses the SABIS negative point system. A student who misbehaves inside or outside of class may receive a negative point for his or her action. Once a certain amount of these points are allotted, a student receives a detention and a letter will be sent to his or her parents or guardians. Should further negative points be received by the student, disciplinary measures can escalate from a second detention, to suspension, and in extreme cases may even lead to expulsion.

Exceptionally positive behavior is rewarded by a so called positive point. Positive points do not cancel out negative points, but students may receive a reward when allotting a certain amount of them.

External links

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