The International School RheinMain aims to guide young people on their unique journey of understanding what it means to be a human being in the 21st century. We aspire to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and considerate scholars, who endeavour to progress and innovate our world for the better of all. By striving to cultivate a central identity of a global citizen, the greatest aspects of modern humanity are reciprocated in all avenues of school life and beyond.
The International School RheinMain is an official IB World School for the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The school has pursued and received authorisation as IB World School and is now part of a community of schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that the International School RheinMain believes is important for our students. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org"
The International School RheinMain is a visionary addition to the European School RheinMain's already buoyant success.
The European School RheinMain (ESRM) is diversifying the educational pathways it can offer to students. As an alternative to the European School’s curriculum leading to the European Baccalaureate, students can choose to study towards the International Baccalaureate at the International School RheinMain (ISRM) – a sister school to the ESRM on the same premises. The ISRM will follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, leading to the IB MYP Certificate and the IB Diploma. The ISRM commenced in September 2021 with Grades 6, 7 and 8 (MYP 1- MYP 3) into the Middle Years Program (MYP), before expanding to Grade 9 (MYP 4) in September 2022 and Grade 10 (MYP 5) in September 2023 and will continue to expand to the Diploma Programme moving forward.
Bad Vilbel, 1/11/2021
Why did ESRM start with an international branch in September 2021?
The European School RheinMain prides itself on ten years of
existence. It has grown successfully from housing a starting
number of 350 students in 2012 to currently being involved in
the pedagogical development of 1700 students. The European
School focuses on fostering key competences for lifelong
learning, including civic citizenship, intercultural skills,
multilingualism, digital competences and STEM skills in the
sphere of natural sciences and mathematics, as well as
entrepreneurship. ESRM students have successfully been
receiving the European Baccalaureate, which is the
fully-fledged equivalent to all the national high-school
leaving diplomas of the member countries of the European Union.
Currently, there are 33 European schools on the European map.
Multilingualism and a professed fluency in the second language
represent the distinct character of the European schools:
students who graduate with the European Baccalaureate possess a
C1 level of mastery in the second language, which in turn,
enables them to pick up their studies in any of their first two
languages without a problem.
Whilst ESRM offers an exceptional education pathway geared
toward multi-lingualism, entrepreneurship and European
identity, we also understand that this system may not appeal to
every family, whether local, expatriate or living in Germany on
a short-term basis.
However, we have noticed that with its stringent focus on multilingualism, e.g. three languages are compulsory until 11th grade, the European school system might not appeal to every family.
Pedagogically speaking, ISRM espouses a conceptual approach to learning, which places emphasis on transferability of skills and concepts, existing due to a multitude of cross-curricular and interdisciplinary projects. This means that students will analyze particular concepts/ themes at the same time in all of their subjects, while mastering subject-specific skills, e.g. a concept like sustainability will be analyzed in all of the subjects taught for a certain period of time – Language and Literature, Design, Mathematics, Sciences etc. Students and teachers are driven to explore, reflect, analyze, research and show empathy for our world in a collaborative manner. Accompanied by a community service project and a personal project, the students of ISRM aim to contribute in a caring way to their own personal development and give back to the community within which they are anchored.
By offering an international branch of education at our school, we cater for the needs of such families who are conceptual-minded, project-driven and globally orientated. With more than 5000 international schools worldwide, ISRM belongs to a wide international network of schools, which enables easy transferability to another international school worldwide. The Diploma Programme itself remains one of the highest respected undergraduate education programmes for university applications and serves our students in great-stead for their futures as global citizens.
To conclude, pedagogically speaking both ESRM and ISRM foster similar skills within their students, however, the path taken to become critical-thinkers and problem-solvers differ slightly. Driven by the aim to be a student-led environment, ESRM and ISRM offer different paths of personal development, tailored to individual student strengths and needs.
We as the school management from both streams signalize at the moment that some parents seem a bit confused about the current situation with regard to the increase of study-possibilities at our wonderful school. It is therefore our duty to create even more transparency when we describe the two options with the aim to hopefully bring these feelings of uncertainty to an end.
E/ISRM is one school under one roof, under one directorate and under one governance. Our great teachers work for both European and International School. The students are participating in the same events, the same sports, on the same school yard and they all enjoy the same food in the same restaurant. The time tables of the two streams are coordinated and both have the same holiday scheme. Both streams are educating the students towards a Baccalaureate diploma in year 12 and both Baccalaureates guarantee to the holders of it the entitlement to enter into University.
In short: two on all sides and everywhere highly respected Secondary School organizations completely integrated under one umbrella with the purpose to offer young people to profit from an even more colored diversity of subjects and perspectives.
For all these reasons it would be our advice to you as parents to not enter a dead-end-street of comparing the two with the aim to weigh one against the other. There is no better or worse curriculum, there are no better or worse teachers in the one or the other, there is no higher academic status in one the two…The real and fascinating differences however, become visible when we observe how this parade from talented and creative young people will orientate themselves towards their academic future by selecting their preferences out of this challenging and broadly variegated joint package of two roads to success.
With every best wish,
School management
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to our growing
Middle Years Program community at International School
RheinMain. Here at ISRM, we have developed a new and innovative
curriculum that pioneers both conceptual and inquiry-based
learning in order to facilitate the growth and development of
future-orientated young learners. We strive for our students to
be principled and caring members of their local, national
global communities and at our heart we aspire to instil a
life-long passion for learning.
Dominic Rogers
MYP Coordinator
IB Aims:
“At our heart we are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education“ (IBO).
What the IB offers at ISRM:
The Program model of the MYP places the learner at its centre. This underscores the IB’s belief in educating the whole person, and placing importance on student inquiry.
MYP students are making the transition from early puberty to mid-adolescence, which is a crucial period of personal, social and intellectual development, of uncertainty and questioning.
The MYP is designed to guide students in their search for a sense of place in their natural and social environments.
MYP Subject Groups
In the Program model, global contexts, concepts, approaches to learning and teaching, surround the learner and connect to the eight subject groups.
Additionally, students will engage in the following projects:
Curriculum Overview
Currently from 2022 to 2023, ISRM offers the Middle Years Program from MYP 1 to 4 (Grades 6 – 9). ISRM will continue to grow and develop as follows:
Middle Years Program
MYP 1 – 3 (Grade 6 – 8) – September 2021
MYP 4 (Grade 9) – September 2022
Diploma Program
DP 1 (Grade 11) – September 2024
DP 2 (Grade 12) – September 2025
MYP 1- 3 (Grade 6 - 8)
Subject Groups: |
Individual
Subjects: |
Periods (per week) & minutes required: |
Total hours (per year) (minimum 50 hours per subject group) |
Language & Literature |
English |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Language Acquisition |
German, Spanish or French |
3 periods, 135 minutes (2.25 hours) |
81 |
Mathematics |
Mathematics |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Sciences |
Integrated Sciences |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Individuals & Societies |
Integrated Humanities
|
3 periods, 135 minutes (2.25 hours) |
81 |
Physical & Health Education |
Physical & Health Education |
3 periods, 135 minutes (2.25 hours) |
81 |
Design |
Integrated Design |
3 periods, 135 minutes (2.25 hours) |
81 |
Arts |
Integrated Arts |
3 periods, 135 minutes (2.25 hours) |
81 |
Social and Emotional Learning |
SEL Curriculum |
1 period, 45 minutes (0.75 hours) |
27 |
Form |
Reading, Literacy, Study Skills, Personal/Social Health, Concept Learning, Support, EAL. |
30 minutes (0.5 hours) |
27 |
|
Total per week: 29 periods, 1305 minutes (21.75 hours) |
|
In terms of MYP 4 and 5.
In MYP years 4 and 5, students have the option to take a specified Arts course and also choose between Standard or Advanced Maths. All subjects will see an increase of time in order to prepare for the eAssessment in MYP 5.
MYP 4 – 5 (Grades 9 – 10)
Subject Groups: |
Individual Subjects: (one teacher per individual subject) |
Periods (per week) & minutes required: |
Total hours (per year) (minimum 50 hours per subject group) |
Language & Literature |
English |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Language Acquisition |
German, Spanish or French |
3 periods, 135 minutes (2.25 hours) |
81 |
Mathematics |
Standard or Advanced |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Sciences |
Integrated Sciences |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Individuals & Societies |
Integrated Humanities
|
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Physical & Health Education |
Physical & Health Education |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Design |
Information Technology, Computer Design |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Arts |
Performing Arts, Visual Arts and/or Music |
4 periods, 180 minutes (3 hours) |
108 |
Social and Emotional Learning |
SEL Curriculum |
1 period, 45 minutes (0.75 hours) |
27 |
Form |
Reading, Literacy, Study Skills, Personal/Social Health, Concept Learning, Support, EAL. |
30 minutes (0.5 hours) |
27 |
|
Total per week: 33 periods, 1485 minutes (24.75 hours) |
|
Subject Overviews
Language and Literature (English)
Language and Literature at the ISRM will encourage students to immerse themselves in a range of texts and genres. Students will hone their skills in analysing, producing text, organising ideas, and using language in both written and verbal contexts. Across the MYP, Language and Literature lessons will involve a variety of activities designed to inspire students to think creatively, understand different perspectives, communicate their ideas effectively, and make connections to the world around them. Students will visit the library every two weeks. It is important that they read widely and often; your support in promoting reading as a valuable tool for lifelong learning will be greatly appreciated!
Language Acquisition (German, Spanish or French)
Learning a language is opening your mind to a new world and allowing yourself to grow as a human being and to create greater connections with other people around the globe. We will be guiding your children in a communicative and interactive approach of learning languages, where they will communicate in the target language and experience culture, traditions, folklore and gastronomy to name but a few… In our lessons the four communicative skills will play a fundamental role and your children will be able to improve their speaking, writing, listening and reading throughout a variety of activities and projects.
Mathematics
Mathematics in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is taught with a focus on the concepts: Form, Relationships and Logic.
Students are assessed on their progress against the four objectives for MYP mathematics:
Sciences
The subject is made up of all three main sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) with some additional aspects of geology and space science added when needed. Naturally this will be a balanced mix, with the trend continuing through to MYP 4 and MYP 5 where we will be aiming our studies to allow participation in the Assessments held by the IBO at the end of MYP 5.
We expect a good mix of thinking, doing and evaluating as a vehicle to move forward with a good understanding of the natural world and naturally as a spring board into the world of the holistic nature of the IBO studies.
Individuals & Societies
MYP Individuals & Societies combines the disciplines traditionally studied under humanities and the social sciences, with an aim to encourage students to respect and understand the world around them. An inquiry-based subject, the course encourages students to critically examine historical, geographical, socio-political, economic, and cultural factors that influence individuals, societies and the environment.
Examples of topics explored in MYP Individuals & Societies include:
Integrated
Arts
In Integrated Arts students will develop their skills and understanding through creative processes and understanding the contexts that surround the creation of art and developing their perspectives on the world. The provision is made up of Music, Drama and Visual Art, taught by subject specialists. The children will be taught in 6 week blocks, on a rotating schedule.
We have four key concepts in the Arts upon which our curriculum is built.
Design
Design is the link between innovation and creativity, taking thoughts and exploring the possibilities and constraints associated with products or systems, allowing them to redefine and manage the generation of further thought through prototyping, experimentation and adaptation. It is human-centred and focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the end user.
Physical and Health
Education
Physical and health education focuses on the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Through practical active learning, students have the opportunity to build positive relationships and a sense of social responsibility. PHE will include developing skills from various individual and team orientated sport disciplines while exploring different key concepts within sports and health, for example change, communication and relationships.
Social and Emotional Learning
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
CASEL (Collaborative for academic, social, and emotional learning).
These skills are implanted through five competencies:
Self –awareness/Self – management/Social - awareness/Relationship skills/Responsible decision making.
e-Assessment
In MYP 4 + 5, students will work towards the MYP Certificate.
In the final year of the programme (MYP 5), each MYP student must develop a personal project independently, which is externally validated by the IB. Producing a truly personal and creative piece of work over an extended period stands as a summative review of their ability to conduct independent work.
At the same time, ISRM will offer external assessment (eAssessment). It offers students the chance to earn the formal, internationally recognised certificate of the MYP Certificate and the Mittlere SchulReife qualification if they meet the success criteria.
Once a school registers for eAssessment in the MYP, students can participate in any of these two types of examinations:
The MYP enjoys formal recognition as a competitive national middle level qualification in countries all around the world.
Service As Action
Service as Action (SA) is an opportunity for MYP students to learn by doing, and engage in their local communities to enact change and make a difference. MYP students are able to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. Students explore the community in its complexity as they gain personal insight and become more confident and responsible. Through service as action they become “actors” in the “real world”.
The SA learning outcomes identify the substance of students’ self-reflection on service as action. All of the learning outcomes are closely associated with the IB learner profile attributes and ATL skills. Through their participation in service, students can become more confident, self-regulated learners. There are seven SA learning outcomes:
Diploma Program
After MYP 5, students have the option to start the Diploma Program. In DP1 + DP2, students will work towards completing the IB Diploma and preparing for higher-level education.
Several studies commissioned by the IB have concluded that, compared to their peers, IB students tend to go to university at higher rates, go to more selective universities, and perform better once there. For example:
Monthly Parental Contribution (in Euro) |
|
|
||
|
2022/2023 |
2023/2024 |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
MYP 1-3 |
1.150 |
1.200 |
|
|
MYP 4 |
1.200 |
1.250 |
|
|
MYP 5 |
|
1.250 |
|
|
DP 1 |
|
|
1.400 |
1.400 |
DP 2 |
|
|
|
1.400 |
IB Education Video Explainer -https://vimeo.com/92725628
MYP Video
Explainer -https://vimeo.com/148628581
MYP Factsheet for parents -https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/digital-toolkit/brochures/1503-myp-factsheet-for-parents.pdf
MYP
Information for parents - https://www.ibo.org/information-for-parents/myp-for-parents/
What
is ISRM?
The International School
RheinMain is an alternative school program that offers students
a route through the world-renowned International
Baccalaureate.
What is the mission of
ISRM?
The International School RheinMain
aims to guide young people on their unique journey of
understanding what it means to be a human being in the 21st
century. We aspire to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and
considerate scholars, who endeavour to progress and innovate
our world for the better of all. By striving to cultivate a
central identity of a global citizen, the greatest aspects of
modern humanity are reciprocated in all avenues of school life
and beyond.
What
is the Middle Years Program?
The Middle
Years Program (MYP) is a course of study designed to meet the
educational requirements of students aged between 11 and 16
years (Grades 6-10). The Program model of the MYP places the
learner at its centre. This underscores the IB’s belief in
educating the whole person, and placing importance on student
inquiry and readying students for the opportunities and
challenges of the 21st century.
How
is the MYP structured at ISRM?
The MYP
curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing
a broad and balanced education for early adolescents. Students
take the core courses of language and literature, individuals
and societies, mathematics, sciences, physical and health
education, language acquisition, arts, and design. A unique
feature of the programme is that it extends the traditional
curriculum to include immersion in four themes— approaches to
teaching and approaches to learning, global contexts and
concepts – helping students to develop innovative skills,
techniques and deeper understanding. In MYP 5, students also
complete a personal project, which is an independent piece of
work that may be an essay, an artistic production or another
form of expression.
What
are the advantages of an IB
education?
IB World Schools (the only schools authorized
to offer IB programmes) are subject to a strict accreditation
process monitored by the IB, ensuring that schools provide a
high-quality education. IB teaching methods and curriculums are
research-based and draw from the best educational practices
from systems around the world. IB teachers are required to
participate in many professional development opportunities to
continually promote their awareness of current educational
practices and new thinking. IB programmes are recognized
internationally and ease the educational transition of mobile
students so that their education is not adversely affected if
their families relocate.
Is
the MYP academically
rigorous?
The
MYP is academically rigorous. It challenges the students
academically and develops their ability to think outside of the
box, preparing them for the competitive Diploma Program, global
university placement and for the ever-changing futre.
The MYP framework connects classroom pedagogical practices and content to the wider world through the Global Contexts and the Learner Profile. The individual subject areas are integrated so that students gain knowledge, understanding, and skills that are transferable across the academic spectrum, further challenging them to become independent, inquiring learners.
What
are the benefits of the
MYP?
Personal
Project - In MYP 4 + 5,
students will work towards the MYP Certificate. In the final
year of the programme (MYP 5), each MYP student must develop a
personal project independently, which is externally validated
by the IB. Producing a truly personal and creative piece of
work over an extended period stands as a summative review of
their ability to conduct independent work.
eAssessment - At the same time, ISRM will offer external assessment (eAssessment). It offers students the chance to earn the formal, internationally recognised certificate of the MYP Certificate and the Mittlere SchulReife qualification if they meet the success criteria. Students demonstrate their understanding and skills through classroom performance, onscreen final examinations and a personal project conducted over an extended period of time.
Service As Action - Throughout their journey, students will also experience Service as Action (SA). Service as Action is an opportunity for MYP students to learn by doing, and engage in their local communities to enact change and make a difference. MYP students are able to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. Students explore the community in its complexity as they gain personal insight and become more confident and responsible.
Social and Emotional Learning - Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Students receive SEL lessons once per week.
Have
studies been done on the impact of the
MYP?
The IB
places great value on external validation of its programmes,
curriculums and professional development. A recent study found
that Middle Years Programme students in a US public school
district were more likely to achieve a proficient or advanced
performance level on state mathematics and science assessments
than their counterparts in five comparison schools. Additional
studies on programme impact, quality assurance, programme
development and assessment research are available at
www.ibo.org/research.
All teachers who teach in MYP classrooms are required to participate in collaborative planning and reflection to make their teaching practices consistent and to foster a holistic approach to education. A growing body of evidence suggests a positive relationship between teacher collaboration and student achievement.
How
can I learn more about the IB and
MYP?
Visit the IB website at ibo.org
Visit the school website –
is-rm.com
Speak with the school’s MYP
coordinator – dominic.rogers@es-rm.net
Attend school meetings and
events
What is the
difference between the European and International School
systems?
Both Programs offer world-class education, yet each offer
uniquepathways for students of different learning styles, ideas
and priorities. Click on the image for detailed
info.
ISRM will offer highly competitive fees for the MYP and DP programs. It is in our interest to offer the best education program, at a fair price. Click on the image for detailed info.