Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Number of students |
380 students |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
We have about 40 nationalities. |
Most common nationality |
Nationalities are various, in the German Section Germans are about 50%. |
Ratio of local students to international students |
1:2 is the ratio of German to International students. |
Native English and German speaking teachers |
They are mostly native or near-native speakers (C 2), which means German native speakers in the German Section, and English native speakers in the International Section. |
Language support for students not fluent in English and German |
We have support classes for German (DAF/DAZ) and English (EAL). There is also a high-intensity immersion programme for students entering without previous knowledge of German. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, Filipino, Spanish, Latin, Italian |
Max. number of students per class |
20 |
Average number of students per class |
On average, there are 15 students, but numbers vary between the departments and classes. In general, groups are rather small, with larger groups there are assistant teachers in the classroom. |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
We employ teaching assistants especially in Primary, for Englisch and/or Individual Needs, and with group sizes over 9 in Early Years. |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Every room has a smartboard or Promethean board, and one or more computer stations. Students in IB DP use laptops in class. GESM follows a carefully designed digitalization programme for optimal, not maximal use. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
GESM is a secular school, open and tolerant towards religions. We have Ethics as a regular subject. We offer courses for the Holy Communion to our Catholic students. Religion will be offered as a subject if parents ask for it. |
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Students learn how to live and work together with other cultures and religions. We respect the traditions of different religions, like the Islamic headscarf. |
External examinations or assessments available |
In the International Section, students complete the IGCSE exams, in the IB DP department the IB DP exams. In the German Section, they complete the Secondary Examinations, supervised by German authorities. |
Results in these examinations |
In general, they are comparable to those at other international schools, or better. The success rates have been very high for years. |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
There is a homework policy. Homework is a regular part of education, but on some days, especially before exams, homework will be reduced in order to give students time to prepare the exams. Rules are applied with flexibility and pedagogical sense of proportion. |
Approximate hours of homework given |
It depends on the department and the age of the student, it normally does not exceed one to two hours a day. |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
About 90%, the others receive support for vocational training in Germany (Dual Vocational System, combining school with an apprenticeship) or other alternatives to higher education. |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
We have an SN department with three full-time SN teachers, apart from assistants. |
Learning support offered |
Support for integration, support in subjects, diagnostics and support planning, support inside and outside the classroom. |
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
There is an enrichment programme as a part of the afternoon activities, and additional tasks in the classroom. |
Student access to education psychologist |
GESM has contact with educational psychologists. The partner school, LFM, has an educational psychologist at school. Our guidance counsellor is the contact point between school and psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists. |
Entry evaluation for students |
Yes, entry exams are common and necessary in order to have a smooth transition or receive additional support, especially in languages and Mathematics.. |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
We assess the learning contents and learning methods, especially in subjects like Maths, Natural Sciences, English, and German. |
Waiting list |
For some classes, there are waiting lists. |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
There is no deadline. As the school year starts mid of August, registration by the end of July will be appreciated. Students can enter school at any time during the school year, which frequently happens with ex-pat children. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, and the students will be supported to catch up with their class according to the curriculum. |
School start time |
Lessons start at 07:35. |
School finish time |
It depends on the department, it is 13:30 for Primary, 15.20 for Secondary and Senior High School. |
Supervised care before/after school |
There is a programme for surveillance and day-care. |
School bus service available |
There is a bus service that covers a radius of up to about 15 kilometres around the school. Especially to and from BGC the journey has been considerably shortened. |
School provided lunches |
There is a school canteen which offers breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices. |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
There is one vegetarian meal every day. |
Uniform required |
There is no uniform in the stricter sense of the word as in the Brish School of Manila. There are school shirts with the school's logo and name. Students wear them to show they identify with our school's values: respect, independence, compassion, integrity, responsibility. They are encouraged to wear those shorts, positive behaviour is reinforced positively. |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
We offer sports, musical instruments, choir, orchestra, theatre, arts, chess, dancing, languages, cooking/baking. |
Sports activities included |
Swimming, track and field sports, athletics, gymnastics, ball games, martial arts and combative sports (e.g. Tae Kwon Do) |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
School teams for soccer, basketball, swimming |
Sports facilities at the school |
Gymnasium and sports grounds, football/soccer field, basketball field, track and field area, running tracks, basketball hall, climbing wall |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
A liberal, co-educational and secular school for children of every background, European, German, and International.
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Teaching approach of the school |
In a nutshell: Employability is important, but "personality" comes first.
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