Internatrional school of Schaffhausen

 Our Childcare Centre 

• Care of babies & toddlers from 3 months to 3 years
• Well-equipped premises
• Very well trained early childhood educators
• Excellent care key
• High quality and safety awareness
• Flexibility with regard to the individual needs of children & parents

Our Childcare Centre (ISCC) in Schaffhausen looks after the youngest members of our international community.

 Our Early Learning Centre

• Full-day care (until 18:00), half-day care possible – Early support (language and mathematics) with age-appropriate pedagogy
• Early bilingualism through “immersion method”

The kindergarten for children aged 3 to 6 years is located in a separate area of the school in the south wing. In addition to the three spacious classrooms, which invite the children to explore and discover, there is a separate playground with age-appropriate play equipment and a large sandbox just for our little ones. The kindergarten children are members of our ISSH family and, when they are old enough, they take part in many activities and events of the primary school, such as the sports day.

 Where si the Diploma Programme recognised?  

With the IB Diploma, universities in 141 countries including Switzerland and Germany can be attended. For information on specific admission requirements in terms of grades and subject combinations, please refer to the IB website

The IB works closely with universities in all parts of the world to extend this recognition even further. To this end, university admissions offices and members of the educational authorities have direct online access to all curricula and previous examinations.

The ISSH supports students in their choice of university and course of study and helps to prepare all relevant application documents for the universities of choice. We conduct information events or accompany students to events where universities present themselves to potential future students.

For whom is the boarding programme suitable?  

Our boarding school is suitable for students from 12 years of age who would like to obtain a recognised international degree with us. The ISSH Boarding Programme supports students (15-18) on their way to becoming independent and responsible adults who have clear ideas about their strengths and life goals and are well prepared for university studies – also in an international environment. They live in the boarding facilities. Younger students participate in the Host Family Programme, where they live in Swiss or International Families and attend the ISSH as day students. 

LANGUAGE AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL)

ISSH operates an inclusion programme, which means that generally students are placed in the same grade as other students of their age. For those with a limited amount of English, the EAL programme will provide additional support for a period of six to eighteen months (depending on their progress).

They participate 4 times a week in special EAL lessons with an EAL specialist. These are organised on a one to one basis or sometimes in small groups. The lessons are scheduled with minimal disruption to the normal programmes. The EAL teachers, the class teacher and the subject specialists cooperate closely to ensure maximum support for the student. The EAL programme is at extra cost.

GERMAN AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (GAL)

Students who arrive with little or no German are offered GAL. GAL is taught in small groups or one-to-one. Classes occur simultaneously with mainstream German classes. Progress is monitored and students join the mainstream classes when they are ready to be transferred.

MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGES

Many students have proficiency in languages ​​other than those offered. We believe that the continued development of mother tongue (and other languages ​​that students are proficient in) is important and beneficial to learners. We therefore make every effort to support students by investigating resources, possible teachers and opportunities to help the student continue to develop in these languages.

HOMEROOM

Homeroom allows teachers to engage in a pastoral role and develop strong relationships with students. The main focus of homeroom is to review approaches to learning such as organization, collaboration and time-management skills. However, topics are interspersed with sessions on issues pertinent to young people and to planning school events as they arise.

STRUCTURED STUDY

Students benefit enormously by engaging in quiet independent study. Structured study periods allow time to reflect on and engage in their assignments or to extend themselves by doing background reading. During study periods teachers are present to answer questions and give advice on an individual basis.

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS (SEN)

ISSH Special Education Need (SEN) Services provide case management and referrals for students with special educational or other needs. ISSH works closely with community agencies and professionals of all fields to provide the necessary support for students and, where required, for the parents and teachers. When needed, Individualised Educational Plans (IEP) and behaviour plans are implemented with the aim to optimize the student’s learning and school experience.

To support students who need regular one-on-one support, we offer learning support services inside and outside the classroom at extra cost.

CAREER SERVICES

The world of work is ever changing; the ISSH Career Services aim to prepare students for these challenges and opportunities. We help secondary students expand, not narrow, their career options with career workshops, hands-on opportunities, and career skill development.

A ten session workshop helps students understand themselves, explore their talents and skills and acquire solid job searching skills. Further career exploration is provided through participation in the “Swiss National Future Day”, where students spend a day shadowing a career of interest. Regular career forums are offered where students hear from a panel of experts in various fields. Students are also encouraged to explore future career interests by enrolling in university summer programmes and applying for internships or part time jobs.