Internationale Schule Frankfurt Rhein-Main
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| Motto | Education for a changing world. |
|---|---|
| Established | 1994 |
| School type | Private |
| President | Angus Slesser |
| Location | Frankfurt Sindlingen, Germany |
| Enrollment | 890 |
| Faculty | 130 |
| Endowment | (Unknown) |
| Campus | 43,000 sqm |
| Mascot | (None) |
| Home page | ISF-NET |
The International School of Frankfurt Rhein-Main (ISFRM or simply ISF) is a private school in Sindlingen, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It is most notable for its strong focus on academic achievement through constant assessment.
As of 2006, the school's mission statement is [...] to be recognized as a provider of top quality education to a highly diverse student body. It will prepare students for success in college, equip them with the ability and desire for lifelong learning, and strengthen their civic, ethical, and moral values. ISF will maintain high standards of efficiency and accountability throughout its operation.
Accredited by the Council of International Schools, the school offers IGCSE, AS- and A-Level and AP examinations. It has passed the application for the International Baccalaureate program and will begin to offer IB courses in August 2007.
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[edit] 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 Hessen, the Frankfurt Economic Development GmbH and with financial support of international companies in the region. The school opened in September of 1995 with 65 students enrolled in Kindergarten throughout Grade 8. In 2005, it celebrated its 10th Anniversary with an enrolment of around 900 students from 49 nations from preschool up through grade 13.
[edit] 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. Former students report that this has helped them fit in better in their freshmen years in university.[citation needed] At ISF, the assessment of students takes place in four forms:
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 students grade.
[edit] 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 past papers from IGCSE and AP exams. Students in grades 5-13 sit two to four of these exams per subject in each term. Up to three exams are written each week during the first three periods of the examination day. Periodic exams make up 30% of a students grade.
[edit] 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 students grade.
[edit] Athletics
The school's extra-curricular athletic program was integrated into the sport programs of the Rhein-Main 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:
- Basketball
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
The school demands a high degree of commitment, teamwork, responsibility and reliability for a student to be accepted as a member of the athletic program.
[edit] 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:
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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Parental Involvement
If concerns or problems arise about academic progress, parents have the possibility to meet with the academic coordinator. There are two coordinators for both the primary and the secondary grades. The coordinator has a complete, overall picture of a student's academic and non-academic record and can give parents all the information they need. Problems are identified thoroughly and objectively and a solution is proposed and implemented.
The school also offers SABIS WebParent, which allows parents to monitor certain aspects of their children's academic activities from an internet-capable computer at a time of their own choosing. Using WebParent, parents can check on grades received on AMS and periodic examinations, stay updated on the latest school announcements and events, and can also review disciplinary and attendance records.
