Teaching at ISN takes place within small groups and is differentiated to meet the specific needs of each individual child. As practically all subjects are taught in English, children who join our school are immediately immersed in an English-speaking environment. Further support for non-native speakers is offered within ISN’s English as a Second Language Programme.

Of course, the younger the child, the easier it will be for him/her to absorb and use the English language. Nonetheless, experience has shown that at ISN even young teenagers who are highly motivated are able to cope very well with our programmes within the first year. The positive results that our learning partners achieve in their tests, projects and other assessments are evidence of how efficiently they are able to acquire and work in English at ISN.

The Cambridge programmes offered at ISN are recognised by the state of Rheinland-Pfalz. However, the range of subjects offered and our method of teaching differ from the German public school system. The main difference is the amount of rote learning in state schools compared to our approach which is inquiry-based. The ISN Team focuses on inspiring your children and making their learning relevant and fun.

International schools around the world offer various curricula and subject choices along with varying educational approaches. ISN strives to make the transition from our school to another school, and vice-versa, as smooth as possible. This entails evaluating subject choices in Secondary Years, coaching learning partners to prepare them for a transition, and offering additional support in certain subjects when needed.

ISN instils a love of learning in younger learners and builds healthy relationships towards reading, math, science, music, etc. Learning partners at ISN also learn English in an impressively short amount of time. They discover what kind of learners they are, becoming experts about themselves, and are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for an ever-changing future. They also receive prestigious, globally recognised qualifications (Cambridge International AS & A Levels) which open the doors for opportunities all over the world.

ISN is very proud of its former learning partners and alumni. With the skills and knowledge they gain at our school, they are able to flourish in other schools throughout Germany and the world

• Internationally recognised & established courses and qualifications
• Safe and caring learning environment
• Small class sizes
• The pedagogic concept of SBW Haus des Lernens is focused upon self-reliant and target-oriented learning tailored to individual abilities, interests and requirements.
• All-day schooling that meets the demands of today‘s workplace (from 8am until 5pm)
• No homework policy for children aged 4-10
• English as the language of instruction with a strong emphasis on German
• Additional support for non-English and non-German speaking learning partners
• Experienced, highly qualified educators and staff
• Cutting-edge pedagogic approach and methodology
• Individualised coaching system within Secondary Years
• After-School Activities Programme offering a wide range of activities
• Possibility to join our school at any time throughout the school year

Some of the factors that parents consider when choosing an international school include:

• Admissions: some schools have waiting lists or (unlike ISN) don’t allow children to enrol in the middle of the school year. Admissions criteria may also include entrance exams or prior academic performance.
• Accreditation: parents should consider where their child(ren)’s academic path will lead and whether the curriculum and qualifications gained at an international school will support this path.
• Costs: fees at international schools vary depending on their location, facilities and offering.
• School culture/developing character: school plays a large role in shaping a child’s character, especially in their formative years. A good foundation and shared values will help build the character of your child and determine what kind of person they become in the future.
• Teachers: they not only teach the curriculum, but also (and more importantly) act as role models. Good teachers inspire children by sharing their passions and show a genuine interest in their personal development.
• Classroom sizes: Differentiating learning content and approaches is much easier in a smaller classroom. Our learning partners also receive more individualised attention from teachers and more time can be spent on coaching and exploring individual interests and passions, as well as filling specific knowledge gaps when needed.

Homework, in the traditional sense, is not given to children aged 4-10 (Early Years – Year 4). The school day in Primary Years lasts until 15:30 (12:00 on Wednesdays) and children are given opportunities to complete their assignments throughout the school day. Reading for pleasure is never considered ‘work’ at ISN. Learning partners are often given activities for extension and for deepening their understanding of topics they’ve learned in school but these are not considered homework and are rarely mandatory. Homework from Year 4 – Year 12 is differentiated and incorporates a wide range of resources including cutting-edge learning platforms.

ISN prides itself on its respectful and caring learning environment. We believe that it is the responsibility of every person in our community (learning partners, teachers, school leadership and others) to model caring and respectful behaviour patterns according to our shared values - the Learner Profile and SBW Fractal. Our amazing school culture is based on these values and is embedded in our curriculum and everything we do. Because educators see children enrolled at ISN as partners in the learning and personal development processes, we refer to them as “learning partners” rather than “students”.

The ISN Team models, discusses, role plays and positively reinforces respectful and caring behaviour. They criticise children’s misbehaviour, never the children themselves and offer learning partners resources and skills they need to improve upon their conduct.

The ISN Community offers a family-like network and our parents frequently get involved voluntarily in various areas of school life. However, not all parents are able to join our Parents and Friends Committee (P&F) and other school initiatives, and there is no obligation to do so. We offer various opportunities for parents to get involved in school life to varying degrees.