High School (14-18 years)

In lower high school, we follow the IB Middle Years Programme.

English | 3 hours per week
The English programme supports and challenges students at their level of proficiency.

• English Language and Literature course for learners at native or near-level of English language proficiency.

Languages | 3 hours per subject, per week
Students study at least one other language in addition to English.

• Language Acquisition Courses: German, French, Mandarin, or Spanish
• Mother Tongue Courses: German, Dutch, Danish, Mandarin*, Swedish*, French*, Spanish*, others**
• Ethics is a branch of philosophy that teaches students to examine concepts such as right and wrong, good and evil, justice and virtue in relation to human behaviour and decision-making. This is an elective subject for students that do not study two languages.

Mathematics | 3.5 hours per week
Students are placed in streamed mathematics groups based on their ability.

Sciences | 5 hours per week
In-depth courses in biology, physics, and chemistry.

Design Technology | 2 hours per week
Students learn to work through the design cycle to investigate, design, and evaluate products.

Specialist Arts Programme | 2 hours per week
Students choose to specialise in 1 of 3 arts: music, theatre, or visual art.

Physical and Health Education | 1 hour per week
Creative movement, ball sports, athletics, and swimming.

Individuals and Societies | This is a humanities and social science subject groupthat focuses on the exploration of human societies, cultures and their interactions with the global environment.

• Geography
• History
• Economics
• Business Studies
   

Core Elements

In addition to the curriculum subjects, Grade 9 and 10 students complete the core elements.

Service as Action

Lower high school students participate in 3 Service as Action activities every year, including one independent project. Service as Action teaches students to apply their knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to society and the environment. Students examine current global and local issues and choose to respond to these through action. In the process, they also develop new skills such as planning, executing, and working collaboratively.

Personal Project

Grade 10 students research a topic of interest and create a project around it. The project is largely self-directed, but students are paired with a mentor who provides ongoing guidance throughout the process. Students learn to take ownership over their learning, create project plans, find resources, solve challenges along the way, and make critical decisions.

*Additional fees may apply.
** Check with the Admissions Team about which other language options might be available.

Homeroom Partnership (Grades 9–12)

Homeroom teachers conduct regular check-ins and one-on-one conversations with students. These meetings provide an opportunity to openly discuss academic challenges or other concerns, while receiving practical advice, encouragement, and support.

Coaching and Mentoring Programme (Grades 9–12)

This programme provides students with structure and guidance for their long-term academic and personal goals. They learn to plan more effectively, break their goals into manageable steps, and track their progress over time. As a result, students develop greater ownership of their learning process, manage projects, assignments, and exams with increased confidence, and ultimately achieve stronger, more sustainable outcomes.

Internships and Work Experience

In Grade 10, students complete a two-week internship programme. Through hands-on experience in a real working environment, they gain insight into professional processes, norms, and expectations. These experiences help them understand the skills and attitudes required for success in the workplace, while also providing a clearer picture of career pathways after graduation.

Service Learning and Sustainability

Our comprehensive Service Learning and Sustainability programme empowers students to become active agents of change, using their skills to make a positive impact on communities and the environment. They are encouraged to become responsible global citizens, engaging with both their local and global surroundings and reflecting on how their actions can create meaningful impact.

Our Service Learning and Sustainability Coordinators actively design a wide range of engagement opportunities, ensuring that every student can find a cause or area where they can contribute meaningfully. In addition, students are encouraged to participate independently in projects outside of the classroom.

GESS is accredited by the Alliance for Sustainable Schools, recognising our commitment to educating students about the importance of sustainability.

Examples of Service Learning and Sustainability initiatives at GESS:

• Mangrove planting initiatives
• Beach clean-up campaigns
• Activities for World Mental Health Day, Peace Day, and Earth Day
• Giving Tree – Christmas donation initiative
• Love in a Bouquet – community engagement with the TOUCH Centre for Independent Living
• Volunteering at community events

School Trips and Enrichment Activities

Our school trips and enrichment activities challenge students to step outside their comfort zone, gain new perspectives, and participate in experiences that foster character development, intercultural understanding, and social responsibility.

Examples of past trips and activities:

• Outbound trip to Bintan
• Watersports trip to Tioman Island
• Theatre project in Malaysia
• Social impact projects in India and Cambodia
• Language trips

Career Pathways Programme

Students are taught about the types of career pathways available and how to pursue their dream careers. They are introduced to CV writing and internships, with grade 10 students participating in a 2-week work experience programme where they get first-hand exposure to the working world.

Professional Counselling

We have a team of professional counsellors on campus who bring years of experience in psychology and counselling to the GESS community. Our counsellors are also familiar with the unique challenges that international students face. Be it personal struggles, conflicts with peers, academic stress, or other anxieties, our counsellors offer a warm and safe space for students to share and seek help openly.

School-Family Partnership

We believe in the importance of partnering closely with families to support students. By communicating consistently with families, we gain better insights into students as individuals, their backgrounds, and home experiences, allowing our teachers to cater to those needs in school. Similarly, by keeping families informed about their children’s school life and academic progress, we can ensure that students receive the right support at home for their learning.

GESS is a non-selective international school and we welcome students with diverse talents and abilities that meet our high school requirements.

• C1 Advanced level of English
• CEM Baseline online assessment
• English Placement Test for applicants from a non-English medium school
• No prior knowledge of German language is required
• Reference letter from previous school
• School reports
• Entry into language programmes is subject to minimum proficiency levels

Language and Literature

• English A
• Danish A
• Dutch A
• German A
• Other Mother Tongues (Korean, Mandarin, Hindi, Swedish, French, Spanish, and more)

Language Acquisition

• English B
• French B or Ab initio
• Mandarin B
• German B
• Spanish B or Ab initio

Individuals and Societies

• Geography
• History
• Economics
• Business Management
• Psychology
• Environmental Systems and Societies

Science

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Design Technology
• Sports, Exercise, and Health Science

Mathematics

• Mathematics Applications & Interpretations SL
• Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL
• Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL

Arts*

• Visual Arts
• Theatre Studies
• Music

*There is the option to replace Arts with another subject from the Science, Individuals and Societies, or Languages category.

General Information

For students seeking a career-focused and applied learning pathway, the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) offers a powerful alternative to a purely academic route. The programme combines the rigour of IB Diploma Programme courses with authentic, career-related learning, enabling students to connect theory with real-world practice.

Through the IBCP, students develop in-depth subject knowledge in a specialised field, engage in hands-on, industry-aligned learning, and build the personal and professional skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving global workforce.

At German European School Singapore (GESS), students can choose from three specialised IBCP pathways, each designed to align academic learning with future study and career opportunities:

• Business & Sustainability
  In partnership with Sustainability Management School Switzerland (SUMAS), this pathway responds to the growing global demand for sustainability expertise. With projections estimating 24 million new jobs in the green economy by 2030, students gain highly relevant skills for business, finance, hospitality, tourism, and environmental sectors.
• Arts & Design
  In collaboration with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), this pathway is designed for creatively driven students pursuing futures in digital media, design, branding, visual communication, and creative industries, while maintaining strong academic foundations.

• Sports Management
  Delivered in partnership with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS), this pathway supports students interested in the global sports industry, including leadership, event management, performance environments, and the business of sport.

The IB Career-related Programme is structured around three integrated components:

• Career-related Study (CRS)
• Diploma Programme (DP) Courses
• IBCP Core – Personal and Professional Skills, Reflective Project, Service Learning, and Language Development

Together, these components provide a coherent, challenging, and purpose-driven educational experience, preparing students for university, further training, and career pathways in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Career-Related Studies

1. Business and Sustainability (SUMAS)

Given predictions that by 2030 there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set for the future job market. Students pursue business and sustainability management courses delivered online by SUMAS professors and tutors, studying in a global classroom that connects GESS learners with peers from around the world.

Examples of mandatory courses:

• Fundamentals of Sustainability
• Leadership
• Sustainable Innovation

Examples of specialist courses:

• Sustainable Fashion
• Sustainable Finance and Digitalisation
• Nature Conservation

Students will also apply their learning through a Sustainability Leadership Camp and an Integrative Project Experience.

2. Creative Arts and Design (SCAD)

In partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design, students explore a wide range of creative disciplines — from digital media and fashion marketing to graphic design and photography. The pathway nurtures creative thinking, design skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets essential for tomorrow’s creative industries.

Examples of SCAD courses include:

• Foundation Studies (STEM)
• Foundation Studies – Digital Media Majors (STEM)
• Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts
• Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts (No Drawing Required)
• Advertising & Branding (STEM)
• Graphic Design (STEM)
• Interactive Design & Game Development (STEM)
• Photography
• Sequential Art
• Fashion Marketing & Management
• Social Strategy & Management (STEM)
• Custom Track

This pathway enables students to discover their creative strengths, build professional portfolios, and connect with industry-leading mentors and peers from across the world.

3. Sports Management (WAoS)

Through the World Academy of Sport, students gain a professional understanding of sports business, leadership, and athlete management. This pathway is ideal for those passionate about the global sports industry, combining theory with real-world examples from international sporting organisations.

Diploma Programme Courses

As part of the IBCP, students select IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses that best complement their chosen Career-related Study. This combination ensures a balanced education that develops both academic depth and practical expertise.

• Business and Sustainability (SUMAS): Students often select Business Management and Economics, which strengthen their understanding of global markets, sustainable business strategies, and ethical decision-making.
• Creative Arts and Design (SCAD): Many students choose Visual Arts and Design Technology, which support creative expression, design innovation, and technical skill development essential for the creative industries.
• Sports Management (WAoS): Students typically select Sports, Exercise and Health Science and Business Management, allowing them to explore both the physical and commercial aspects of the global sports sector.

This tailored approach empowers students to connect their academic learning directly with their future career aspirations.

IB Career-related Programme Core

The IBCP Core includes Personal and Professional Skills, Service Learning, Language Development, and the Reflective Project. Together, these components foster ethical awareness, intercultural understanding, and professional confidence — qualities that prepare GESS students to thrive in the modern world.

Our award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme offers students a unique insight into the workings of today’s top industries, global companies, and organisations. It demonstrates to students the power of their knowledge and how it can serve as a starting point for achieving practical, impactful outcomes in the real world. Students gain a perspective on the exciting education and career pathways ahead of them and can make more informed decisions about their future.

The many initiatives in the BeyondClassrooms Programme:

• Internships with leading global companies
• Industry expert talks
• Site and factory visits
• Career counselling and guidance from professionals
• Mentorship with industry leaders
• Opportunities to collaborate on projects

We work with remarkable partners such as:

• BMW – manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles
• Danfoss – an engineering and sustainable innovation company
• Evonik – a speciality chemicals company
• Alba Berlin – a professional basketball club based in Berlin
• Invitrocue – a bio-analytics solutions provider

School Trips and Enrichment Activities

Our school trips and enrichment activities challenge students to step out of their comfort zones and participate in experiences that foster character growth, promote intercultural understanding and encourage meaningful engagement with diverse communities and the environment.

Past school trips and enrichment activities have included:

• Social Project in India and Cambodia
• Language Trips

GESS is an international school that believes academic success and student wellbeing are deeply interconnected. When students feel supported, confident, and understood, they are far more likely to thrive not just in the classroom but in every aspect of their lives. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in both wellbeing and guidance, creating a high school environment where every student is known, valued, and empowered. From targeted academic support to personalised university and career counselling, our approach ensures that students are well-prepared for their next steps, equipped not only with strong results but with the self-awareness, resilience, and life skills to flourish beyond school.

After School Subject Support (Grades 11 and 12)

We offer tutoring sessions twice a week for English, mathematics and science subject groups to provide an extra avenue for students to clarify doubts, reinforce understanding of concepts, and work on weaker areas.

Study Hall Sessions (Grades 11 and 12)

Free periods in the day are converted to study hall sessions where students can focus on assignments, project work, and revision under teacher supervision.

University and Career Guidance

Grade 11

Weekly lessons guide students through selecting universities, choosing suitable undergraduate degree courses, and preparing for university applications. Topics covered include university application processes, writing personal statements, and preparing for admissions interviews.

Grade 12

Weekly lessons focusing on preparing students for life after school. Students explore what it means to live and study independently at university, learning the essential life skills they need to thrive. They also learn about building impressive career profiles, including securing the right internships, effective networking, and utilising LinkedIn effectively.

GESS graduates leave school with a portfolio of experiences and achievements that open doors to exceptional universities around the world. To find out more about our university acceptances, please visit Our Students page.

GESS is a non-selective international school and we welcome students with diverse talents and abilities that meet our high school requirements.

• C1 Advanced level of English
• CEM Baseline online assessment
• English Placement Test for applicants from a non-English medium school
• No prior knowledge of German language is required
• Reference letter from previous school
• School reports
• Entry into language programmes is subject to minimum proficiency levels