What is ISRM?
The International School RheinMain is an alternative school programme 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 Programme?
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a course of study designed to meet the educational requirements of students aged between 11 and 16 years (Grades 6-10). The Programme 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 Programme, 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.

 

Is the IB recognised in Germany?
The IB is fully recognised in Germany and is a suitable pathway for studying in higher education. For further information on the specific requirements which are necessary for German universities, please refer to the following links below:

- IB Programme - https://www.ibo.org/

- IB Recognition in Germany: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/requirements/ib-diploma/

- Kultusminister Konferenz: https://www.kmk.org/fileadmin/veroeffentlichungen_beschluesse/1986/1986_03_10-Vereinbarung-Baccalaureate-Dipl.pdf

- Hessisches Kultusministerium: https://kultus.hessen.de/schulsystem/internationales/internationale-bildungsnachweise/baccalaureate-diplomadiplome-du-baccalaureat-international

- Recognition of the IB - https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/recognitionof-the-ib-diploma-by-countries-and-universities/

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.

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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