Heidelberg International School
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The Heidelberg International School (H.I.S.) is an independent co-educational day school in Heidelberg, Germany. H.I.S. is currently enrolling students from Early Years 1 (age 4) to Grade 10. It is their intention to offer Grade 11 in the 2009-10 school year. This class will lead into the first Grade 12 graduating class in the following year.
H.I.S. is an IB World School. These are "schools that share a common philosophy - a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education" (IBO)
H.I.S. is fully authorized to provide the IB Primary Years Programme and we are also a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme . The two-year IB Diploma Programme is planned for Grade 11 and 12 with the authorization process to begin in 2008.
The curriculum is international, the language of instruction is English. German is taught to all students at all grade levels.
[edit] Mission
The Heidelberg International School aims to enable all students to receive the most effective international education possible and to achieve the highest academic, social and moral standards of which they are capable. Through a rich, balanced educational programme taught in English and with additional German, students learn respect for their own and other cultures, openness, tolerance and independent learning skills. The programme serves the specific needs of internationally mobile families and multilingual students, and offers an alternative education to local families. The school provides a learning environment, which nurtures enduring understanding and prepares students for a productive and responsible adult life or for the next stage of their educational journey.
[edit] History
The school was founded on 9th September 2000 in Karlsruhe, using rooms rented from a kindergarten. Nine students were enrolled.
Growing student numbers determined the need for a larger building. As appropriate facilities could not be found in Karlsruhe, the search was extended, until the current location, the Villa Heinstein in Heidelberg, was found. The school moved to Heidelberg in the summer of 2002, and was renamed the Heidelberg International School (H.I.S.).
The official opening of H.I.S. was celebrated on October 2nd, 2002.
Since then, the school enrolment numbers have grown continually. An extension building was erected in 2003 behind the villa in order to make space for additional classes, larger classrooms and resources.
In the summer of 2005 a second floor was added to the extension building, providing even more classrooms and resource facilities.
The construction of a new, purpose-built facility directly adjacent to the Villa Heinstein represents the current progress in the school’s expansion.
[edit] New Building
The construction of the new purpose-built school facilities began in the spring of 2007. These facilities will be available for the 2008-9 school year and will provide new classroom space, special facilities for science, music and art, and a gymnasium. This will allow an increase in student enrolment to 300 students.
