Middle School (5th-8th Grade)

Introduction to Our Middle School Program

The Middle School Program builds on the foundation laid by our Elementary School Program with a rigorous German curriculum aligned to California standards. With 65–80% of instruction in German, students deepen language fluency while engaging in advanced academic content across disciplines.

Starting in Grade 6, students add a third language—Spanish or French—expanding their global competence.

Our interdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach connects Social Sciences and Sciences, encouraging critical thinking and real-world application. This integrated model, inspired by best practices from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the US, fosters holistic learning that prepares students for future success.

The Fifth Grade Transition

At EBGIS, fifth grade marks the transition into Middle School. Students begin rotating between subject-area teachers, use aligned assessment rubrics, and develop critical thinking and independence through double-blocked learning sessions.

Homeroom remains a key space for social-emotional learning and community building, led by a dedicated teacher. Students also take Digital Citizenship and Approaches to Learning—courses designed to build responsible tech habits, research skills, and self-management strategies that prepare them for success in middle school and beyond.

Developing Responsibility and Leadership

EBGIS Middle School students develop confidence and leadership through roles like Klassensprecher (class representative) and Schulrat (school council), giving them a voice in school life and decisions.

Weekly Interdisciplinary Learning Mondays center on ethics, global citizenship, and student-led electives, encouraging agency and collaboration across grades.

The Wayfinder social and emotional learning program supports emotional growth by fostering empathy, self-awareness, and resilience.

In sixth grade, students elect a third language—Spanish or French. Students are evaluated and placed by proficiency for the right balance of challenge and support.

By eighth grade, students are prepared for the Deutsches Sprachdiplom I (DSD I), an internationally recognized certification of German language proficiency.

Embracing Academic and Cultural Experiences

EBGIS Middle School students engage in rich academic and cultural opportunities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth.

Students participate in competitions such as Känguru der Mathematik (an international mathematics competition), Jugend forscht (Germany’s premier youth science competition), and the annual Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education) competition, in which they explore real-world challenges, develop innovative ideas, and showcase their learning on national and international stages. In spring 2024, an EBGIS middle schooler traveled to Germany for the final round of Jugend forscht —an exceptional achievement.

Sixth graders also participate in the Vorlesewettbewerb, a longstanding, nationwide German reading competition that builds fluency, confidence, and public speaking skills. Through these experiences, students strengthen academic skills while deepening their connection to global and German-speaking communities.

Special Field Trips and Experiences

At EBGIS, our middle school program builds on the foundation of curiosity and confidence established in elementary school, offering students opportunities to engage in transformative, real-world experiences. Field trips and hands-on activities are carefully designed to enrich the curriculum and inspire personal growth, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Middle school students dive deeper into STEM, arts, and cultural exploration through visits to destinations such as the Chabot Science Center, Tech Interactive, and Exploratorium. They also participate in events like the Berlin & Beyond German Film Festival, gaining exposure to global perspectives and the arts.

Additionally, middle schoolers engage in cultural and historical explorations in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, connecting academic lessons to the diverse communities around them. Social and celebratory events, including eighth grade graduation trips, foster strong friendships and a sense of accomplishment as students transition to high school.

These experiences are more than just outings—they are opportunities for students to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding, and create lasting memories that enrich their EBGIS | EBIHS journey.

Program Highlights

Multilingual Learning

Students continue developing bilingual proficiency with 65-80% of instruction in German, building fluency through immersive, subject-based learning. A third language (Spanish or French) is introduced in sixth grade.

Integrated Curriculum

Middle School students engage the natural and social sciences through interdisciplinary courses, as well as learning the context for and connections among core subjects on Interdisciplinary Mondays.

Personalized Support

Small class sizes allow teachers to provide individualized support, meeting each student’s unique academic and social-emotional needs while fostering strong relationships.

Developmental Milestones in Fifth Grade

Fifth grade serves as a transition year, preparing students for the academic rigor and increased independence of middle school.

Global Citizenship & Cultural Awareness

We celebrate diverse traditions and foster a global mindset through our curriculum, events, programming, and student leadership opportunities.

Preparation for High School and Beyond

Our standardized assessment program offers students clear feedback on their progress. In eighth grade, students complete the Deutsches Sprachdiplom I, the German government's official language proficiency exam.

Hands-On Learning and Real-World Connections

Field trips connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. Middle School students also participate in sports competitions and social events with other language-based schools, creating meaningful connections with peers beyond EBGIS | EBIHS.

Interdisciplinary Mondays and Student Agency

Interdisciplinary Mondays introduce students to ethics, global citizenship, and electives designed with student input, fostering choice and agency. Homeroom time focuses on social-emotional learning, guided by Wayfinder, supporting personal growth and well-being.

Student Leadership Opportunities

Students take on leadership roles as Klassensprecher (class representatives), engaging with the school council and contributing to school life. These experiences build confidence, responsibility, and collaboration skills, preparing students for active participation in their communities.

Enriched Music Program

In fifth grade, students explore orchestral music, and in sixth grade and beyond, they engage in multi-media music learning tailored to their interests. Our program cultivates creativity and musical appreciation, offering a well-rounded arts experience.

Explore Our Classes

Klassenlehrerstunde (Homeroom)

This Monday session with the homeroom teacher is a central anchor of our middle school program, fostering a strong sense of community, organization, and individual growth. During this time, students engage in structured routines, prepare for the week, and practice social-emotional learning through brief reflections, goal setting and activities through Wayfinder. The environment supports students in building their executive functioning and personal responsibility in a consistent and supportive way.

Homeroom also provides space for important announcements, check-ins, and opportunities for students to voice questions or concerns. It reinforces classroom culture, builds trust, and ensures that each student feels seen and supported as they transition into adolescence. Students also engage in collaborative planning, learn conflict resolution strategies, and take responsibility for classroom contributions and shared norms.

Approaches to Learning

This course serves as a bridge into middle school, equipping students with the self-awareness, strategies, and skills they need to thrive both academically and personally, empowering students to reflect on how they learn, how they collaborate, and how they can grow—with an emphasis on building identity, resilience, and positive relationships.

Through inquiry-based units aligned with global contexts, students engage in interactive projects, team-building tasks, personal reflections, and goal setting. Integrated Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students build emotional regulation, a sense of belonging, and agency over their learning journey. Each unit is designed to develop essential ATL skill clusters, including self-management, collaboration, communication, critical and creative thinking, reflection, and research.

English Language and Literature

Taught in English, this course helps students refine their communication skills and deepen their appreciation of language through literature, nonfiction, and media. Students read widely and analyze texts from multiple genres and cultures.

Students develop their own voice through writing, discussion, and creative projects, all while expanding vocabulary and grammar. The course encourages critical thinking, empathy, and a lifelong love of reading. Grammar instruction is embedded in authentic texts and students receive feedback through process-based writing.

Deutsche Sprache und Literatur (German Language and Literature)

Students engage with a variety of texts—from classic literature to contemporary media—to build reading comprehension, literary analysis, and written expression skills. Taught in German, the course emphasizes academic language and cultural literacy.

Students craft arguments, write creatively, and analyze language in historical and social context. They strengthen their fluency and voice in formal and informal settings. Literature circles, peer feedback, and debates enrich their analytical thinking and written communication.

Mathematik (Mathematics)

Mathematics builds conceptual understanding, fluency, and problem-solving through real-life applications. Topics include algebra, geometry, statistics, and number theory.

Taught in German, the course uses visual models, technology, and group activities to explore mathematical thinking. Students develop perseverance, reasoning, and communication in mathematics. Problem-solving projects and real-world applications support mathematical exploration.

Integrierte Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Integrated Social Sciences)

This interdisciplinary course includes Geography, History, Civics, and Ethics, helping students understand people, places, and systems around the world. Taught in German, it blends local and global perspectives.

Students ask big questions about culture, politics, human rights, and the environment. Research, discussion, and project work support their ability to analyze sources, develop arguments, and see multiple points of view. Students engage with current events and connect the past to the present through inquiry-based learning.

Integrierte Naturwissenschaften (Integrated Sciences)

This course integrates Biology, Chemistry, and Physics employing engaging, real-world investigations. Students explore scientific principles through lab work, modeling, and inquiry.

Taught in German, students learn to apply scientific methods, gather and interpret data, and explain phenomena. They build foundational knowledge and learn to communicate scientifically. Collaborative experiments and science journaling help students connect content to real-world contexts.

Language Acquisition – French

Students begin or continue their study of French as a third language. Instruction focuses on communication, grammar, and culture in the target language.

Through real-world situations, games, and projects, students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while gaining appreciation for Francophone cultures. The goal is confident and effective multilingual communication. Students also explore music, cuisine, and traditions as part of their cultural learning.

Language Acquisition – Spanish

Students begin or continue their study of Spanish as a third language. Instruction focuses on communication, grammar, and culture in the target language.

Through real-world situations, games, and projects, students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while gaining appreciation for Hispanic cultures. The goal is confident and effective multilingual communication. Students also explore music, cuisine, and traditions as part of their cultural learning.

Sport (Physical Education)

Physical Education supports student health and well-being through movement, skill-building, and games. Students participate in team sports, individual challenges, and activities that develop coordination, strength, and cooperation.

Instruction is in German and includes health education, goal setting, and reflection. Students build confidence and develop lifelong fitness habits. Leadership opportunities, inclusive play, and wellness routines are also emphasized.

Music

This course explores music through listening, performance, and composition. Students learn about rhythm, melody, harmony, and instruments from a range of cultures.

Students collaborate to create original music and perform as individuals or in groups. The class nurtures creativity and musical literacy, connecting sound to expression. Music history, notation reading, and cultural appreciation are woven into the curriculum.

Advisory

Advisory takes place on Mondays in small groups, led by faculty mentors who provide individualized support for each student’s academic and personal development. Through regular goal setting, reflections, and mentorship, students learn to manage responsibilities, develop resilience, and connect meaningfully with peers.

Advisory serves as a dedicated space for building social-emotional skills, exploring identity, and strengthening metacognition. It is also a time when mentors support students in organizing their weeks, addressing academic needs, and celebrating progress. Group discussions and team-building activities enhance emotional intelligence and promote meaningful relationships between students and trusted adults.

Digitale Staatsbürgerschaft (Digital Citizenship)

IDM Elective Courses

IDM stands for Interdisziplinäre Montagskurse (Interdisciplinary Monday Courses), in which students choose from a variety of offerings that may include technology, journalism, leadership, or global studies. These courses change each semester and promote student agency and curiosity.

Courses are taught in the school’s target languages and often integrate hands-on, project-based learning. Students collaborate across grade levels, develop new interests, and deepen skills in areas beyond the standard curriculum. These electives empower students to explore new passions and take ownership of their learning journey.

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