Grade Levels at ISS
At the International School of Stuttgart (ISS), students are placed in grade levels based on their age, following a comparison across major global education systems. This ensures consistency and alignment with international standards.
Curriculum Highlights by Grade Level
Early Years Programme (IB PYP)
Ages 3 - 5
Focus: Developing foundational social, emotional, and cognitive skills through play-based and inquiry-led activities.
Key Areas: Communication and Language, Literacy, Numeracy, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Understanding the World, Physical Development, and Expressive Arts and Design.
Approach: Fostering curiosity and creativity in a safe and nurturing environment, with emphasis on exploration, collaboration, and developing a sense of community through age-appropriate projects and activities.
Certification: While there is no formal certification, the Early Years Programme sets the foundation for lifelong learning and transitions seamlessly into primary education frameworks.
Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)
Early Years to Grade 5
Focus: Learning through inquiry, integrating knowledge across transdisciplinary themes.
Key Subjects: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, Media Skills, and additional languages (e.g., German, English as an Additional Language).
Approach: Inquiry-driven learning through six transdisciplinary themes, culminating in the Grade 5 Exhibition, a student-led project showcasing interdisciplinary understanding.
Certification: Students progress to the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Middle Years Programme (IB MYP)
Grades 6 to 10
Focus: Developing critical thinking, interdisciplinary connections, and problem-solving skills.
Key Subjects: Language and Literature, Langauge Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Design, Physical and Health Education, and Coding
Approach: Exploring local and global contexts through inquiry-based learning, with additional projects such as the Grade 10 Personal Project and the Service as Action initiative.
Certification: Completion of the MYP Certificate, recognized as equivalent to Germany’s Mittlere Reife.
Diploma Programme (IB DP)
Grades 11 and 12
Focus: Academic rigor with an emphasis on holistic development and critical thinking.
Key Subjects: Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities, Arts, and Languages at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL).
Approach: A comprehensive curriculum including the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) to encourage intellectual and personal growth.
Certification: ISS High School Diploma, IB Diploma, or IB Course Certificates. A Bilingual Diploma is available for qualifying students. The IB Diploma is recognised as equivalent to Allgemeine Hochschulreife in Germany.
Grade Level Equivalents
The table below highlights the equivalent grade levels in different education systems:
| Grade at ISS | Germany | India | Japan | UK | US/Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years 3 | Kindergarten/Kita | Nursery | Kindergarten 1 | Reception | Pre-school |
| Early Years 4 | Kindergarten | Kindergarten 1 | Kindergarten 2 | Reception | Pre-school |
| Early Years 5 | Kindergarten | Kindergarten 2 | Kindergarten 3 | Year 1 | Kindergarten |
| Grade 1 | 1. Klasse (Grundschule) | Standard 1 | Elementary Grade 1 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| Grade 2 | 2. Klasse (Grundschule) | Standard 2 | Elementary Grade 2 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| Grade 3 | 3. Klasse (Grundschule) | Standard 3 | Elementary Grade 3 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| Grade 4 | 4. Klasse (Grundschule) | Standard 4 | Elementary Grade 4 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| Grade 5 | 5. Klasse (Sek I) | Standard 5 | Elementary Grade 5 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| Grade 6 (MYP 1) | 6. Klasse (Sek I) | Standard 6 | Elementary Grade 6 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| Grade 7 (MYP 2) | 7. Klasse (Sek I) | Standard 7 | Middle School Grade 1 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| Grade 8 (MYP 3) | 8. Klasse (Sek I) | Standard 8 | Middle School Grade 2 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| Grade 9 (MYP 4) | 9. Klasse (Sek I) | Standard 9 | Middle School Grade 3 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| Grade 10 (MYP 5) | 10. Klasse (Sek I) | Standard 10 | High School Grade 1 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| Grade 11 (DP 1) | 11. Klasse (Sek II) | Higher Secondary 1 | High School Grade 2 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| Grade 12 (DP 2) | 12. Klasse (Sek II G8) | Higher Secondary 2 | High School Grade 3 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Age-Based Placement
Students are assigned to grade levels based on their age as of October 1st of the academic year, ensuring an age-appropriate learning environment.
Learning & Assessment
Discover our curriculum’s learning objectives, assessment strategies, and resources.
Glossary of Terms
Familiarize yourself with key abbreviations and terminology used throughout our curriculum.