International bilingual school culture in the city of diversity.

In Germany’s most culturally diverse and vibrant region, SIS Swiss International School Frankfurt offers your children consistent bilingual education right from the start. We do not only talk about interculturality, we live it: Our teachers teach in their mother tongue – and thus offer ideal conditions for cultural and linguistic immersion as the basic principle of language and culture acquisition. In a safe and supportive school atmosphere, we encourage and promote the intellectual and personal development of your children according to their strengths and interests.

Dear parents,

Frankfurt’s most famous son Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said: “Those who do not know foreign languages know nothing of their own language.” We believe that Goethe is right; therefore, we offer a consistently bilingual environment and education for your children, starting with their first day at SIS Frankfurt: learning in the language of Goethe and in the globally spoken English language.

Our primary school with reception class will open its gates at the beginning of the new school year 2020/21 in Oberursel (located just a few kilometers north of Frankfurt in the idyllic Taunus area) – according to the established concept of SIS schools. Teaching at SIS Frankfurt follows the curricula of the federal state of Hesse, while the principles of our own school philosophy are also implemented: In addition to bilingual education, we aim to equip children with a sense of tolerance and open-mindedness, with independent and critical thinking as well as with the ability to take responsible and principled action. It is our goal for them to act and feel as a citizen in the local area as well as in the international, global community, which faces an increasing number of challenges that we can only address and tackle together.

In the 2020/21 school year, SIS Frankfurt will start with the reception class as well as the first and second grade of primary school – and then grow year after year into the higher grades. Students will eventually be able to complete their school careers with the German / Hessian Abitur and optionally with the International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition.

SIS Frankfurt accepts admissions both at the start of and during the school year. Please contact us to find out more – we look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely

Daniel Lauris
Principal

We live on two continents, in three countries and in 17 school locations.

Our educational concept lies at the heart of our social, pedagogical, didactical and entrepreneurial approach. But every concept is only as good as its implementation in everyday school life – that is why we make it our highest priority to live by it on a daily basis.

The students are at the centre of all our efforts.

Bilingual Experience

English and German play equal roles in school communication – in the classroom and in all parts of day-to-day school life. As a result, children learn to express themselves naturally and confidently in both languages.

We use the immersion method of language learning, which invites children to dive headfirst into the foreign language. Students use the second language to engage with the world in a playful and completely natural way. They are immersed in an environment where only the foreign language is used. As a result, they learn unconsciously, lose their initial inhibitions – and the foreign language becomes second nature. Children begin by developing a passive understanding of the language, achieved through the use of pictures, gestures and symbols, for example. Then, they gradually begin to actively use the second language. In other words, the foreign language is acquired in a similar way to the mother tongue – with the child’s linguistic development and knowledge of the world progressing hand in hand.

Scientific studies and our experience at SIS have shown: 

• Instruction using the immersion method over a number of years results in near-native fluency in the second language.
• The best results are achieved through extensive early immersion prior to the start of formal schooling.
• Development of the mother tongue is not adversely affected.
• The immersion method not only promotes children’s language acquisition, but also their cognitive development – for example, linguistic awareness, creativity and their ability to ‘think outside the box’.

At SIS Swiss International School, children can learn both English and German through immersion – even if they are not native speakers of either language.

SIS faculty members are all native speakers of their language. They not only use their mother tongue for teaching in the classroom, but also on the school yard, at lunch, and during events and excursions.

The immersion method and instruction by native speakers exposes students to the rational, emotional, and cultural dimensions of the second language. This is the foundation for developing complete fluency.

Independent and Value-Centred Approach

The teaching philosophy at SIS Swiss International School is non-ideological, but founded on clearly defined core values. We strive to embody the values we seek to impart on our students: honesty, respect, appreciation, personal responsibility and integrity. These qualities are at the heart of our interactions with the children and young adults entrusted to our care.

Our aim is to support students in establishing their own cultural, linguistic and social identity so that they may:

• develop into committed individuals with a strong sense of personal responsibility for their actions
• relate to other people, languages and cultures with openness, willingness and respect
• think and act as global citizens and members of their local community

Day School Community

To meet the needs of modern families and working parents, our day school offers a structured and challenging programme, including:

• classroom instruction with fixed hours
• lunch
• supervised homework hour
• additional supervised periods and courses in the mornings and afternoons 

For our students, school is a place to learn and thrive – an environment that is stable and nurturing, while presenting them with appropriate challenges. By eating, playing and learning together, they learn to share with others, develop assertiveness, and take pride in their achievements.

Both German and English are used during extra-curricular activities, too, providing a further opportunity for students to develop their language skills in a natural way.

Performance through Diversity

The varied, stimulating environment of SIS Swiss International School supports students in achieving excellent academic performance, while allowing them to take enjoyment and pride in what they learn.

Our teachers hail from diverse backgrounds and deploy a range of teaching and learning methods, showing children a variety of ways to approach and solve problems. Moreover, by deploying these different methods, they can also target multiple learning styles. The use of state-of-the-art technology where appropriate supports and enhances classroom processes.

Each school’s curriculum is based on the relevant state curriculum and supplemented by international elements. In addition, we use our own SIS curricula and materials in key subject areas in order to effectively impart relevant information while fostering bilingualism.

In today’s world, independent, life-long learning is a must. To equip students with the skills they will need, teachers at SIS focus squarely on stimulating the children’s natural thirst for knowledge, encouraging them to ask questions and explore. They have faith in their students’ abilities, and present them with appropriate challenges. Step by step, our teachers help their pupils to learn how to acquire knowledge autonomously and put their skills into practice.

It is our goal to foster learning as an integral part of life, and to give young people the opportunity to become independent, reflective learners. Students at SIS are encouraged to achieve their full potential and exceed their own expectations. Moreover, we maintain close contact with parents, and regularly discuss their children’s progress and learning style.

International Education – Local Insight

The SIS Swiss International School community of students, parents and teachers is made up of a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. We are pleased to welcome local children as well as the children of internationally mobile families. We offer students a diverse and engaging school environment that simultaneously fosters an awareness of the wider world and a relationship to their immediate environment. Our intention is that SIS students graduate as ‘global citizens’ with a strong sense of their origins.

Continuity from Kindergarten to College

SIS Swiss International School offers a single unified learning concept – from kindergarten to primary school and secondary school. Because we cater to all education levels (under the same roof), we can facilitate a seamless transition from one stage to the next.

Throughout the academic year, a range of events and activities bring together children from various classes and levels, creating a genuine sense of community, where students of all ages have the opportunity to learn from one another.

National and International Recognition

The primary and secondary schools of SIS Swiss International School in Germany are state approved or state recognized Ersatzschulen (an Ersatzschule provides courses and qualifications comparable with those offered at German state schools, teaching is in accordance with the relevant state curricula) and are established institutions in the German school system.

Beginning in primary school, our students take part in international comparative testing, and regularly achieve good results.

For our secondary school students, we offer targeted preparation for the German Abitur. At the same time, they have the opportunity to complete the International Baccalaureate (IB), a globally recognised university entrance qualification. After taking on this academically challenging combination of Abitur and IB, there is no limit to where their educational journey can take them next – whether in Germany or further afield.

Strong Network

Our schools are part of the SIS Group, which has been a pioneer in the bilingual education arena since 1999. At present, more than 3.700 students attend SIS schools at one of our 17 locations in Switzerland, Germany and Brazil.

The SIS Swiss International School network ensures consistently high quality standards, as structures and processes at our facilities are evaluated, developed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. Plus, our international organisation provides teachers and students with a platform to exchange experience and insights across borders.

Moreover, SIS Secondary Schools are accredited IB World Schools – making them members of a world-renowned international educational organisation.

SIS a company of the Kalaidos Swiss Education Group which belongs to the Klett Group Germany.