GERMAN
100% Success rate, freedom in school choice, G9
An interview with Rüdiger Hoff, administrators of the Nordsee-Internat St. Peter Ording
The current discussion about schooling in Hamburg is also followed closely in Schleswig-Holstein. Regarding this topic, we asked Rüdiger Hoff (42), administrators of the Nordsee-Internat St. Peter Ording.
Question: What is your assessment of the political plans of the Hamburg coalition for its schools?
Hoff: I like the basic idea for the reform: more intensive, more personalized attention by having much smaller classes and extending the number of years in elementary school to six years are good methods. How this planned reform translates into practice remains to be seen. Contradicting points, like creating smaller classes when the senate has announced the cancellation of several hundred teaching posts, must be resolved.
Question: Critics of the reform fear that children who are strong students will not learn as much in this extended primary school stage as they would in a Gymnasium. Will the parents of Hamburg take their children out-of-state?
Hoff: We are, in fact, seeing a rise in inquiries, but we have always had many students from the greater area of Hamburg. I certainly question the decision to no longer take into account the parents' preference in the matter. Many parents will not find that acceptable and they will look for alternatives. But even more impactive than any political decision will always be what the local schools in question have to offer. For example: the amenities of an all-day school, a comprehensive language program, bilingual classes, and of course, the qualifications of the teaching staff.
Question: How will these reformations impact the Nordsee-Internat?
Hoff: The impact upon our school is going to be relatively minimal. We will continue to offer our students all the academic tracks, from elementary school all the way to Gymnasium. Above all, we will continue to reassure them with our high rate of students who are able to switch tracks. We are especially proud again this year of our 100% successful graduation rate, of the fact that 35% managed to "step up" to a higher academic track.
We do feel the effects of the G8/G9 discussion (8-year vs. 9-year Gymnasium). We are the last state to still practice the 9-year Gymnasium. Many parents, or rather students, come to us to achieve graduation from Gymansium in a more relaxed manner within nine years. We are projecting that starting the 2011/2012 school year, we will be able to offer both the G8 and the G9.
Question: What to do you say to critics, who believe boarding schools to be an elite institution for children from privileged backgrounds? And why should parents consider sending their children to the Nordsee-Internat? What sets you apart from other boarding schools?
Hoff: Our students attend the public schools of St. Peter-Ording. That means people of all backgrounds come together here, just in more manageable class sizes and with individual attention. For a moderate fee we combine the best of both worlds: the definite strengths of the public school system and the advantages of a private boarding school. Our approach is certainly unique and it sets us apart fundamentally from the "elite institutions".
