The language program at JFKS is bilingual, English and German. All students are required to take part in the instruction of both languages.
Admission
For admission, German students are required to speak German at a native speaking level according to their age/grade level. They also are expected to speak English as a second language/partner tongue, at the same level as JFKS students in the same grade.
German students without English skills are only admitted through the lottery of the Entrance Class, not in any other grade level.
American students must speak English at a native speaker level. They are not required to have German skills at the time of admission. Students will be placed in German language classes according to their ability.
Elementary School
American and German students are taught together from the Entrance Class through grade 6 in all subjects. The Entrance Class through grade 2 are instructed bilingually, the use of both languages is integrated into daily instruction. All subjects instructed in grades 3 through 6 are taught in the first language of the teacher.
You can find more information about the JFKS Elementary School Language Program here.
Students in 5th and 6th grade can take part in a language elective introducing them to French or Spanish.
High School
English and German speaking students are taught together in all subjects in grades 7 through 12. Three homeroom classes per grade level are instructed mainly in English, while the other three homeroom classes are instructed mainly in German (except language classes). Due to the unique setup of the Abitur and Diploma tracks, and the fact that JFKS reconfigures homeroom classes every two years, students are exposed to both languages by the end of their high school career.
Spanish, French and Latin are taught as electives. More information can be found under the Departments pages on our website.
