• The Kindergarten
• The primary school
• The Secondary school
• The Baccalaureate
• Students
• Parents
• Network
• Quality management
• After school activities

Welcome to the school

The European School Karlsruhe is on the outskirts of the Hardtwald, approx. 4 km northeast of Karlsruhe city centre. Public transport stops directly in front of the school entrance and allows all students a rapid and safe journey. Parents and visitors will find parking at any time.

The Following facilities allow for a successful, modern and holistic education:

• Four large buildings, all connected with a covered route-system and two large gymnasiums with outdoor facilities(soccer pitches, several training tracks, long jump facility and basketball fields) comprises the campus of the school (8700 m2).
• Play facilities for the younger students with 5 m scramble net, labyrinth and playground.
• Infirmary (Nurse present all day).
• All classrooms are friendly and bright with direct views to the green surroundings.
• Large computer laboratories, equipped with advanced technology and internet access.
• Two school libraries for the secondary and primary/kindergarten, which are looked after by professional librarians.
• A new canteen that offers healthy and balanced meals.
• Different rooms for science, art and music with ample space surroundings.
• Large school events find a purpose-built room in the Hall.

The smallest students of the European School go to the kindergarten. The teachers are professionally trained, and lessons are curriculum based.

Children from different countries and with various languages learn and play together. Outdoor facilities with play hills and a children’s village contribute to a feel good atmosphere and encourages roleplay in various languages.  "European hours" with different activities are carried out here. Through the multicultural atmosphere children can benefit in the following areas:

• Creative learning through art and craft, theatre and language games, music and dance.
• Learning through research: nature studies and societies.
• Playful creation and the promotion of linguistic, mathematical and motor skills.
• Strengthening of the social, ethical and emotional development of children.

The primary school offers classes in various languages (German, English, French etc. ). With qualified teachers and sufficient space it offers a modern, integrated and high quality education. The school day is child-oriented and many team-oriented, open teaching learning methods are used. Such conditions are the guarantors for optimal child oriented learning.

Some features:

• Multilingual learning and Europe at firsthand experience.
• Primary school library with professional staff and books in several languages.
• Laboratory and school canteen.
• School garden -  planting, maintaining, observing.
• Bicycle station.

"mobility sein“ from class 1

• School programmes: Special Educational Needs, Learning Support-best individual care for every student.
• Integrated educational values: to be able to cope in the community, having responsibility and feeling comfortable.
• Sports orientated annual school trips, from class 1 to 5, e.g. hiking, canoeing, skiing.
• Joint lunch in the Canteen.

The secondary school course comprises seven years and ends, after twelve years of schooling with the European Baccalaureate. The students are usually in the school from 8.05 am to 3.30 pm . The holistic education in the secondary school of ESK, includes excursions, trips and internships. Two study trips in the 3rd and 6th class complete the educational concept. The students have 3 guidance and career advisers who serve to promote individual skills for each student. The goal of secondary school education at the ESK is a broad knowledge in the linguistic, musical, mathematical, and scientific areas, which, according to the talents and interests of students, provides optimal development. Many subjects are taught in foreign languages.

After 12 school years, students take the examination for the European Baccalaureate of the European School which is centrally organised. The examination consists of 5 written and 4 oral tests. Students choose subjects taken in the last two years of schooling.

All written exams are harmonised except the exams in the mother tongue and require double corrections by the school teacher and the outside examiner, who also takes part in all oral tests. The certificate awarded is fully recognised in all countries of the European Union, as well as in a number of others.

The Baccalaureate award is the highlight of the school year. In a festive ceremony -The Proclamation- the high school graduates receive their diplomas.  A big party follows with staff and students alike. It is traditionally organised by students of the 6th classes.

The focus of the European School Karlsruhe is naturally on students who should develop into active and responsible citizens.  Their opinion, their active involvement is school routine and decision- making  is important. To this end students are represented in the administrative and educational councils.

The SMV (Students with Responsibility) constitutes the interface between school, teachers and students. They also send representatives to COSUP (the European School Association) where important topics from students point of view are discussed. These are then passed on to Educational Committee as recommendations.

COSUP is not only in the Educational Committee itself, but also in the Supreme Council in Brussels. In addition to the internal organisation, the ESK provides their students with active participation in various working groups; especially in the fields of sports, art, theatre, music and a commitment to various international school projects.

Parents play an important role in the school. Many activities are coordinated and supervised by the parents such as: school transport, bus supervision, the school canteen. They also organise school fairs.

Parents are involved through the Parents Association in all national committees, such as the education and administrative board and internationally through the European network –Interparents- and in important committees in Brussels.

Parents are regularly informed through certificates and reports on the performance of their children.  Individual meeting times with teachers and educators can be arranged, even outside normal school hours.

The European School Karlsruhe maintains contact with all other European Schools and also to many non-school institutions. The sporting events such as "Eurosport" and the cultural events "cultural days" are just two examples of the numerous joint activities with these partnerships.

With the "Science Symposium" or "MEC - Model European Council" it offers students many opportunities for international and intercultural exchange.

Together with non-European schools there is, "MUN - Model United Nations" whereby students learn the work of the United Nations. Other examples are the Comenius or the Socrates programmes, which are supported by the EU. In the Technology region of Karlsruhe there are also excellent contacts to university, colleges, and renowned companies with which joint projects are carried out.

The ESK has excellent relationship with other European institutions, such as ITU (Institute for Transuranium) in Karlsruhe research centre and the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The consistently high quality of teaching is maintained by several means, starting with the reports and strategies by the European Inspectors, who visit the school regularly, to harmonise recognised international tests. Students benefit from this as they can return to their homeland or prepare for study in another country. Every Member State is represented in the Inspection Committee with one Inspector each for kindergarten, primary and secondary school.

All inspectors meet in the European Schools, where curricula and educational development are jointly developed and harmonised. The inspectors visit schools several times, leading to permanent quality control and dynamic development of the European Schools.

The Education Committee consists of parents, teachers and students of the secondary school which significantly influences the qualitative improvements in schools.

Each school, in co-operation with the Parent’s Association, organises a wide range
of activities during lunchtimes and free afternoons. Activities include sport,
music, drama, art, crafts, photography and science etc.