Questions

FAQs by parents
- Qualifications
- Curriculum
- Quality
- School Day
- Enrolment
- Fees

FAQs by teachers
- Self-reliance, autonomous learning
- “A typical sbw/ISKK day”

FAQs by supporters
- Supporting the idea of an International School for Kreuzlingen Konstanz

Questions asked by parents:

Qualifications:

What qualifications can students earn at the International School Kreuzlingen Konstanz?

Starting from Early Years through to Primary Years the ISKK prepares students for the International Baccalaureate of the IB Organization. We follow the worldwide curriculum of the Primary Years Programme to provide an international education of high quality standard. The network of International Schools ensures these standards throughout the world.

What are the ages you teach students/children?

Early Years (ages three - five)

Nursery (age three) full or half programme
Reception (age four+five)

Primary Years (ages six - eleven)

Grades one to six

What kinds of requirements regarding compulsory school attendance have parents to take into account, should their children attend school in a foreign country?

Should German children want to attend a Swiss school, parents have to present an enrolment certificate of the Swiss school to the German authorities. The State Education Authority grants an exception for the compulsory school attendance in the district. This proceeding is a one-time affair for the overall duration of the school attendance.

Where are the school‘s diplomas recognised?

The diplomas of the International School Kreuzlingen Konstanz, like those of the other International Schools, are recognised worldwide. Furthermore, future employers consider the high level of social and communicative competence of the graduates and their independent motivation as an important advantage. The International Baccalaureate enables access to colleges and universities in more than 60 countries.

My child knows little or no English. Is English a prerequisite for admission?

No, English is not a prerequisite. Young children pick up English very easily by being immersed in an English-speaking environment. Older children (from age six) must take part in our English as a Second Language (ESL) programme at additional cost.
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Curriculum:

Are languages other than English taught at the school?

Yes, children and young people also learn German. French is mandatory for Swiss children and optional for children from other countries. In addition, students learn also about the Swiss culture through various cultural studies.

Which curriculum do you follow?

We follow the PYP (Primary Years Programme) of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). It is the established worldwide standard for an educational programme offered by top International Schools. Students who are for part of their schooling with us can be sure of educational continuity, if they ever transfer to another international school. Our teachers receive training at special IBO-workshops on a regular basis. For more information about the PYP, we recommend to look at the internet at www.ibo.org.

Are students introduced to working with new media?

Many children of primary school age have already access to their parents' PC. As an International School, we introduce young people to new media at an appropriate age, thus enabling them to practise competent use of the PC, do reference work on CD-ROM or use search engines on the Internet as tools for learning.
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Quality:

Is the school oriented towards a particular world view?

The school is non-denominational and not bound to any world view or ideology. It is open to all students, whatever their origin, skin colour or religion is.

How is the quality of teaching monitored?

The ISKK is implementing the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to get the formal authorization of the IBO. A school may only call itself an "International School" if its quality with regards to level of teaching, the training and qualification of teachers, the quality of educational material, functionalism of the infrastructure and the financial control of school fees has been inspected by the relevant umbrella organization in a certification procedure. In addition, the Education Department of the Canton of Thurgau supervises all matters concerning examinations for the state schools. Last but not least, the SBW Haus des Lernens supervises and coaches the ISKK. The ISKK profits also from its “twin-school” the ISSH in Schaffhausen.

Is it possible to switch to another school?

The teaching content is defined worldwide by the same high-quality curriculum; there are no transitional difficulties when changing to another International School or to a state school in the USA, England or Australia. When changing to a state school in Europe, we together with the parents and the new school decide whether there are differences in curriculum. If required, we set up a preparatory programme for your child

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School Day:

How is the school day organised? – Are there common meals? – Is homework supervised?

The ISKK organises the school day the same way as Schaffhausen. School arrival time starts at 8:00 am. Students are supervised throughout the whole day until 4:00 pm. This applies to teaching and study periods as well as breaks - a faculty mentor or subject teacher is available for students at all times. Homework can be completed under supervision at school. This saves time for working parents, and the family can relax together in the evening. Children and young people take their meals together. They bring their mid-morning snack (Swiss:"Znüni") and a packed lunch.
A school day (with the exception of Wednesday, when school finishes at 12:00 pm) is organised as follows:
08:00 - 08:30 Arrival time
08:30 - 12:00 Lessons
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch break and play time
13:00 - 15:30 Lessons and individual learning time
15:30 - 16:00 School leaving time

How is the school year organized? -When are the holidays?

The school year starts at the end of August and is divided into two semesters (Aug. - January, Feb. - June). There is a two-week autumn break in October, a three-week break around Christmas, a skiing break of one week in February and a two-week spring break in April. The school year ends at the end of June. We observe Swiss national holidays and schedule three days for teachers' training.

How are students transported to and from school?

At the moment, the responsibility for transportation to and from school lies with the parents. Should several parents have corresponding needs, the school helps to organize student transport at additional cost.

Is additional supervision available outside normal school hours?

The attendance time at the International School Kreuzlingen Konstanz is from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Mo, Tue, Thu, Fr and from 8:00 am to 12:00 am on Wed. Should your child require further individual supervision, we can help to arrange reliable childcare at additional cost.


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Enrolment:

Is there a trial period?

On principle, there is a four weeks trial period for all levels. During this period both sides have the chance to experience whether the didactic approach of the ISKK suits the child’s personality.

What is needed to apply to the school?

Please fill in the admission form and fax or send it to us. Download-area

Regulations in case of late enrolment or premature withdrawal

In case of late enrolment the enrolment fee and school fees are due for the current quarter. In case of premature withdrawal the enrolment fee and the school fees for the current quarter have to be paid.
In case of withdrawal and fees being paid annually the school will reimburse the quarters following the current quarter of withdrawal.
31st of October is considered the end of the 1st quarter, 31st of January the end of the 2nd quarter and 30th of April the end of the 3rd quarter.
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Fees:

What services are included in the school fees?

Tuition costs
The annual school fees cover the costs of normal tuition (including material) and the supervision of students during free study periods. This includes sport events, study groups, craftwork, arts and handicrafts. You have the choice between quarterly payments and a single annual remittance (with 3% discount).
Additional costs
Excursions and sightseeing trips, camps and cultural events are charged individually.
Enrolment fee
The relevant personnel and administrative costs are charged as a one-time fee, which is due on conclusion of the education contract.
Discount
Should further brothers or sisters attend the International School Kreuzlingen Konstanz, the school fees will be reduced by 10% for other family members.

What should I know about financial regulations, conditions and terms of payments?

Please download the paper with all school fees, the enrolment fee and additional services here.

What do the school fees include?

The school fees cover the costs of tuition, resources and supervision. This includes sports events, study groups and clubs. We have to charge a one-time fee for the relevant personnel and administrative expenditure of the enrolment procedure, which is payable when the enrolment form is submitted. Excursions and sightseeing trips, camps and cultural events are charged individually.


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Questions asked by Teachers:

Self-reliance - What does it mean for me?

For more than 20 years the SBW-principle of Autonomous Learning in a Structured Environment has been one of the most successful learning systems in Switzerland, and this being of proof by several awards. The curricular and modular study system is a means of achieving a broad, predetermined educational goal through step-by-step mastery of carefully coordinated study units and learning objectives.

A typical study day in the sbw

A typical study day is characterised by input lessons, alternating with independent study periods or team focused preparation periods. These periods serve to facilitate the assimilation of the learning material. Should students have questions or problems, teachers and coaches will be happy to assist them. Students accomplish their independent study periods in the Atrium or (“Lernatelier”), the main study room, which is comfortably designed and decorated. Here they find a variety of structured study material, both in traditional book form and as electronically stored data. Teachers also add their own prepared, structured material to the already existing material and help to keep the information flow updated and interesting.
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Questions asked by supporters:

How can I support the idea of an International School for Kreuzlingen Konstanz?

An International School resembles an economic pillar for any region or city. It helps to establish an attractive and competitive business environment that even enables international companies or intelligence to be attracted job and lifestyle wise. Please feel free to contact us for the best (economic) way to identify yourself or your company with the ISKK.
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