Of course, German language immersion is a key feature of our program. Instead of merely offering foreign language instruction as a separate topic a few times per week, we provide an immersive and systematic language experience integrated with our academic curriculum. Because our students achieve a high degree of German fluency and literacy, it is no wonder that they excel at the Deutsches Sprachdiplom, the German government’s official language fluency examination.
Another feature of our program is the early introduction of advanced topics such as chemistry, biology, physics and ethics, which our students begin taking on as early as the fourth grade. In addition, our curriculum employs a unique spiral sequence in which recurring topics are presented in ever increasing detail and complexity. This powerful approach allows students to grasp connections between topics as they deepen their understanding with each iteration.
At the same time, we emphasize critical thinking and competencies over rigid content requirements or teaching to any tests. Our project-based curriculum encourages students at every age to use their minds, hearts, and hands to think for themselves while learning in cooperation with others. By supporting each student’s uniqueness and autonomy as a learner, we prepare our students to meet the challenges of high school, university, and their broader pursuits in the world.
By undertaking a large part of their studies in the German language, our students gain access to exceptional German textbooks, workbooks, and other learning tools. These expertly developed materials present complex subjects in an inviting, intuitive, and developmentally appropriate way, supporting efficient learning with minimal frustration. Using German materials also means that a high degree of differentiation is “built in” to our curriculum because the texts themselves support multiple levels of complexity. This helps teachers meet the needs of each student, whether advanced or needing more support, and reflects the state of the art in educational practice.
In accordance with the latest research on how children learn, our students do more of their learning in class and receive less homework than in other schools. This allows children the after-school downtime their brains need to assimilate all they have learned throughout the day and frees them to pursue their individual interests, whether through our afterschool activities or in the community. Less homework also eliminates what is often a major source of family stress and allows families simply to enjoy their evenings together.
EBGIS is an accredited IB World School and takes its place within a select group of top high schools offering the prestigious IB Diploma Programme (DP) in the eleventh and twelfth grades. Often referred to as the “gold standard” in high school education, the DP provides a rigorous and holistic program developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people.
EBGIS stands alone in the East Bay as the only school where high schoolers may elect to graduate with not just the standard IB Diploma, but the Bilingual IB Diploma. The bilingual diploma is a distinction awarded to just a quarter of IB Diploma candidates worldwide. It demonstrates that, in addition to having the tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge required by the DP, the student has successfully completed high-level coursework in two languages.
