Klaus Groth School was founded in 1888. It started as a school for girls. From the 1970s on boys were also admitted. Our school is a “Gymnasium” (transl.: high school or junior college) that covers grade 5 - 13 and prepares students for the so-called “Abitur” (transl.: university entrance qualification). It has about 800 students and 70 members of staff.

The Klaus Groth School is located in Neumuenster, a lively city of approximately 80 000 inhabitants in the heart of the state of Schleswig-Holstein and about 25 miles from Kiel, the state’s capital city as well as the Baltic Sea.

Why are we called Klaus Groth School? Klaus Groth is a well-known German writer and poet who is famous for his sophisticated and humanistic texts written in the low German dialect which has been typical for the north of Germany. He lived from 1819 – 1899 in this part of the country.

You can get more information about the German school system here.

New beginnings. Many discoveries. Gaining independence. For many children the transition from primary school to grade 5 is a big step. We take hold of new students’ hands and we provide orientation, if necessary. But we also transfer to students more and more responsibility for their own lives and actions. Our aim is to encourage the children to have confidence in their own abilities and to open them up to new aspects of learning. We maintain our strong and intensive contacts to primary schools so that this transition will proceed without any breaks. In class, many activities serve the purpose of promoting social behaviour and of developing a good community in class. To us both social behaviour and a good community are indispensable requirements for learning successfully. Therefore, we are also supported by our social worker and class partners (socially committed older students). Especially in grade 5 and 6 a close contact to the parents is important. We regard parents as partners in the process of education. Therefore profound and quick information are necessary to meet special requirements and difficulties as soon as possible. Our guideline is always: What is best for the child? Thus, we will be able to find the correct and successful path for each child together with all participants.

Klaus Groth School has been rewarded consecutively “MINT-EC School” since 2004. MINT-EC is a national school network of excellence that focuses on the above mentioned subjects. Our school is only one out five in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein that offers outstanding opportunities in the field of MINT (Mathematics, Computing (German: “Informatik”) and Technology). The MINT network is under the patronage of the “Kultusministerkonferenz” – a national conference of the Ministers of Education of all federal states in Germany. Additionally it is supported by many large German associations. The main aim of our Mathematics and Science teaching is to create an explorative mindset in our students. This is possible by hands-on learning and model-orientated reflection on the outcomes of experiments that have been carried out by the students.

Next to lessons in Biology (from grade 5, from grade 8 in English), Chemistry (from grade 6), Physics (from grade 7) and Computing (from grade 11) we offer many attractive additional courses and electives:

• Stimulating extra lessons with special focus on Technology in grade 5 and 6
• Experiment of the Month in grade 5 and 6
• Contests and competitions: “Jugend forscht” (lit. trans.: youth researches - a German youth science competition), Formula 1 in Schools, First-Lego-League, national and international Olympiads in various subjects, Maths competitions such as “Kaenguru”,” Night of Mathematics” etc.
• Applied Science and Technology as an elective from grade 9
• Computing from grade 9
• Junior Engineering Academy from grade 11
• Acquisition of the nationwide recognized MINT-certificate
• MINT clubs (e.g. stage technology, chemistry, biology, physics, computing, maths)
• Mentoring program with scientists

Languages are decisive in the modern world - first and foremost English. Thus, English does not only play a central part in the curriculum from grade 5 – 13 but is also used in bilingual courses: From grade 7 - 13 students can take Geography courses in English and it is also possible to make it part of the final university entrance examination (“Abitur”). Furthermore, Biology courses in English are offered from grade 8 - 10. Additionally bilingual courses in History and in Politics/Economics are part of the school curriculum.

During the “English Day”, which takes place once a year, each subject covers English texts – this can be quite interesting in German lessons - and the students and teachers discuss the relevant issues preferably in English with each other.

In grade 7 all students take up a second foreign language. They can choose between French and Latin. In grade 9 students decide on one of the following electives: Spanish, Italian, an online Latin course or “ANT” (lit. trans.: applied Natural Sciences and Technology). On the senior level (German: “Oberstufe”) students may start with Spanish as well. The school also offers language clubs such as: Mandarin Chinese, Italian and classical Greek.

Moreover, we have a number of international partner schools that give students the opportunity to go on inspiring exchanges on a regular basis. These schools are located in England, France, Italy, Israel and soon in the USA. The Spanish department organizes a culture trip to Spain every year. In addition Klaus Groth School was designated “ERASMUS+School” of the European Union in 2017. This means we also have active partners in Estonia, Denmark, Belgium and France. The specific advantage of this program: the exchanges are financially supported by the European Union.

Language Certificates: Courses at Klaus Groth School prepare students for the following certificates:

• TOEFL (Klaus Groth School is the only “Gymnasium” in Neumuenster that is certified to conduct the examination)
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
• “Latinum” (Klaus Groth School also conducts the examination)
• Diplôme d’études de langue francaise (DELF)
• Diplomas de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) 

The Arts Center is a separate 3-storey building with a unique atmosphere, exclusively used for music, arts and drama education. The Arts or Cultural Center is a core center for our school, as it is the place to encourage creative work intensively, hence regarded as essential for all the other competences students need today. Taking music for one, on top of the regular music classes there is a huge offer of extra classes like choirs, bands, orchestra and instruments (e.g. violin, clarinet, accordion, percussion, horn, trumpet). Students in grade 5 may opt for intensified musical education in a so-called “orchestra class”. Second, in arts lessons students learn holistically: “brain, soul and hands” and practical work comes first. From grade 5 onwards children are confronted with different pieces and styles of art and various artists. There is a successful cooperation in this sector with the local arts center called Gerisch-Foundation. Third, drama plays a significant role for students of all ages with an offer of diverse extracurricular groups. We presume that being on stage makes people more self-confident and thus more courageous, as it helps to thoroughly develop your individual personality.

In grade 5 we begin with swimming lessons being held at the local public pool “Am Stadtwald”. The following years our students will be taught ball games like football, handball, volleyball and basketball as well as classic sports such as athletics and gymnastics. Also dancing and fitness are part of our PE lessons and current trends are integrated, too, e.g. inline skating, jump style and parcour. In addition, students can also take parts of their final “Abitur” exam in PE which then also includes theoretical knowledge. Something very special is our PE intensification. Here we have an active collaboration with local sports clubs. From grade 5 on, interested students will be trained during two additional lessons per week by handball coaches from SG WIFT or football coaches from SV Tungendorf.

Furthermore, extracurricular activities are offered, so that students have the opportunity to try out different types of sport. The shifting range of sport includes volleyball, combat sport and American football, but also rowing, athletics, floorball, badminton and fitness. 

Regularly, our students also participate in various competitions, e.g. numerous running events like “Lauf zwischen den Meeren” (a long distance run between the North and Baltic Sea, approximately 60 miles) and “Jugend trainiert für Olympia” (talented youths/teams of each school prepare for national competitions) containing different types of sport.

Reliable. Qualified. Free of charge. Flexible. These are the basic principles of our all-day school program. In order to support working parents and to provide qualified learning assistance to students we offer a broad all-day school program for students in grade 5, 6 and 7 from Monday to Friday. Committed student teachers from the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, who are employed by the company “fjoerde”, are at the school’s disposal free of charge for students and parents from 12.15 to 3.15 pm for qualified learning assistance as well as homework support, sports, games and fun. Within the given time frame students and parents can choose whatever fits best. So the participation in one of the many school clubs is always possible. The school’s club program is very extensive and varied. To mention just a few: “Jugend forscht” (lit. trans.: youth researches), Italian, Orchestra, Floorball, Red Cross First aid helper, Technology (e.g. stage technology), Choir, Philosophy, Board game, Accordion, Robotic, Chinese, Drama, Language Certificates (Spanish, French, English), Video Blog ... And last but not least our school cafeteria caters healthy, tasty and reasonably priced lunches every day which can be pre-ordered online.

It is our belief that a caring, non-threatening, encouraging environment and a close contact to parents enhance the students' learning achievement.

To quick learners of all age groups we offer the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. Our school is part of the state-wide "Enrichment Program". Furthermore, gifted students can take a time-out from regular lessons to pursue independent studies. In a specially equipped room ("Denklabor") they are free to develop their own interests and ideas, sometimes with the help of upper grade students. Since 2018 we are "Talent School" of the federal government.

With the right motivation students attend the Junior Engineer Academy and the Junior University, which provide insights into the world of technical and academic careers. Numerous competitions and a host of extra-curricular certificates in the Natural Sciences and in Foreign Languages add to a challenging learning environment.

Students who struggle with school can make use of an extensive remedial program. They get help with their homework, they study with student tutors or they attend the annual Summer Academy to improve their knowledge of Maths and English. Dyslexic students get special support from qualified tutors.

Students in grade 5 to 6 get the chance to learn without the pressure of having to reach good grades. They take additional courses in P.E. (e.g. handball), Music (e.g. orchestra), foreign languages (e.g. Chinese) or in Science (e.g. Technology and Research).

Nowadays learning achievement is closely linked to the use of digital media. As a model school we focus on implementing effective educational videos.

We are one of the few schools in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, that actively cooperates with the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel. This extraordinary cooperation offers our students the possibility of participating in a large and motivating extra educational program:

• In the first two years the University for Children comes to our school to listen to exciting lectures appropriate to the age of our 10- to 12-year-old students.
• On the intermediate level the 13- to 15-year-old students not only attend the research workshops of the university to perform experiments, but also choose lecturers to report on their research at our school.
• On the advanced level the 16- to 18-year-old students can take part in web-based seminars with lecturers and can accompany students at university.
• We also make it possible to start as a junior student at university.

Apart from this we cooperate with the university of Muenster and the university of Regensburg (Cyber Mentoring Plus). 

According to these cooperations there are not only new educational opportunities but the change from our school to university is also easier.

Supported by the WT.SH and the Gerisch-Stiftung we foster many relations with local companies and culture. 

In our senior classes (grade 11-13) three aspects are of particular importance:

1. The school offers a broad range of opportunities and options that correspond to pupil’s individual talents and that enable them to pass the “Abitur” (transl.: university entrance certificate) successfully. It starts with the choice of the “Profilfach” (transl.: major subject). The school offers a language major (English in connection with a “Kernfach” (transl.: core subject) that could be Latin, French or Spanish), Science majors (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), an Art major, Social Science majors (Geography, History, Politics/Economics) and a Sports major. Moreover there is wide variety of 20 additional subjects such as Computer Science, Drama, Spanish for beginners or bilingual Geography. In addition students have the opportunity to go on an exchange abroad to one of our many partner schools. Students also do an internship in grade 11 in a local company or institution to get a sense of the professional world and to plan further steps for the time after school.
2. Every student is supported as much as necessary to safely pass the “Abitur”. From the beginning we carefully und prudently prepare our students for the “Abitur” examination. As a result our school shows a very high success rate which is clearly above the state’s average.
3. We pay special attention to the individual counselling of students. Class teachers und the head administrator of the senior classes encourage and support each student in his or her choice of subjects, in the preparation of exams and in case of learning and personal difficulties. With an early career and study advisory service we actively prepare our students for the next stage in life.