International Baccalaureate (IB) programme taught in English for students aged 14-16 years old.
Lower High School is intentionally designed to equip our students with the skills and knowledge to transition successfully from Middle School to the IB Diploma or Careers Programme. We focus on building confident, capable learners ready for the more advanced high school years by strengthening students’ academic abilities through in-depth subject tuition and exam preparation.
We recognise that the path to academic growth is different for every student. That’s why we offer a variety of channels to provide personalised support and coaching tailored to each individual journey. Students are both supported and challenged, with timely guidance to address academic difficulties, focus on areas for improvement, and make the most of their strengths.
To help students discover their interests and identify suitable future specialisations, we expose students to varied fields - creative and performing arts, STEM, community service, sports, and more. Every student gets a chance to better understand themselves and design their unique educational pathway to success.
Students get immersed in the real world and build a portfolio of experiences and accomplishments beyond just grades. From Work Experience, Service Learning and Sustainability programme to school trips, there are many opportunities for students to see knowledge come alive in the real world.
"Attending GESS had a significant impact on my career trajectory."Amba - Neuroscientist and PhD student
"The multicultural environment made me hungry to learn."Sophie - Associate Consultant at McKinsey & Company
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.
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.
Die Klassenlehrkräfte führen regelmäßige Check-ins und Einzelgespräche mit den Schülerinnen und Schülern.
Diese Treffen bieten die Möglichkeit, akademische Herausforderungen oder andere Anliegen offen anzusprechen und dabei praktische Ratschläge, Ermutigung und Unterstützung zu erhalten.
Dieses Programm gibt den Schülerinnen und Schülern Struktur und Orientierung für ihre langfristigen akademischen und persönlichen Ziele.
Sie lernen, effektiver zu planen, ihre Ziele in überschaubare Schritte zu unterteilen und ihren Fortschritt im Laufe der Zeit zu verfolgen.
So entwickeln sie zunehmend Eigenverantwortung für ihren Lernprozess, können Projekte, Aufgaben und Prüfungen besser vorbereitet und mit mehr Selbstvertrauen bewältigen – und erzielen dadurch nachhaltig bessere Ergebnisse.
In der Klasse 10 absolvieren die Schülerinnen und Schüler ein zweiwöchiges Praktikumsprogramm.
Durch praktische Erfahrungen in einem echten Arbeitsumfeld gewinnen sie Einblicke in berufliche Abläufe, Normen und Erwartungen.
Diese Erfahrungen helfen ihnen, die Fähigkeiten und Einstellungen zu verstehen, die für Erfolg im Berufsleben wichtig sind, und geben ihnen ein klareres Bild der Karrieremöglichkeiten nach dem Schulabschluss.
Unser umfassendes Programm für Service Learning und Nachhaltigkeit befähigt die Schülerinnen und Schüler, aktive Gestalter von Veränderung zu werden, die ihre Fähigkeiten einsetzen, um einen positiven Beitrag für Gemeinschaft und Umwelt zu leisten.
Sie werden ermutigt, verantwortungsbewusste Bürgerinnen und Bürger zu sein, die sich mit ihrer lokalen und globalen Umgebung auseinandersetzen und darüber nachdenken, wie sie durch ihr Engagement Wirkung erzielen können.
Unsere Koordinatorinnen und Koordinatoren für Service Learning und Nachhaltigkeit entwickeln gezielt vielfältige Möglichkeiten des Engagements, damit jede Schülerin und jeder Schüler ein Themenfeld findet, in dem sie oder er sinnvoll beitragen kann.
Darüber hinaus können Schülerinnen und Schüler auch eigenständig außerhalb des Unterrichts an Projekten teilnehmen.
Die GESS ist von der Alliance for Sustainable Schools akkreditiert – als Anerkennung für unser Engagement, Schülerinnen und Schüler über die Bedeutung von Nachhaltigkeit aufzuklären.
Beispiele für Service-Learning- und Nachhaltigkeitsinitiativen an der GESS:
Mangrovenpflanzungen
Strandreinigungsaktionen
Aktionen zum World Mental Health Day, Peace Day und Earth Day
Giving Tree – Spendenaktion zu Weihnachten
Love in a Bouquet – Begegnungen mit Menschen des TOUCH Centre for Independent Living
Freiwilligenarbeit bei der Organisation von Gemeinschaftsfesten
Unsere Schulreisen und Enrichment-Aktivitäten fordern die Schülerinnen und Schüler dazu auf, ihre Komfortzone zu verlassen, neue Perspektiven zu gewinnen und Erfahrungen zu sammeln, die Charakterbildung, interkulturelles Verständnis und soziales Engagement fördern.
Beispiele für bisherige Schulreisen und Aktivitäten:
Outbound-Trip nach Bintan
Wassersportreise zur Insel Tioman
Theaterprojekt in Malaysia
Sozialprojekte in Indien und Kambodscha
Sprachreisen
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.
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