Intermediate Level (grades 7-9)
From grades 5 to 9 the majority of German mother-tongue learners receive a gymnasial or grammar school education according to the Baden-Württemberg syllabi.
In grade 7 learners start studying their first elective, another foreign language which is taught as a second foreign language. Options are French, Afrikaans or Zulu.
In grade 9 learners have to choose a second elective from among the following subjects: Afrikaans, French, business studies or computer studies. Parents and learners are informed about the election of subjects at special information evenings and the respective subject teachers can be consulted at any time.
Also in these grades cooperation with parents is of the utmost importance. Teachers endeavour to maintain close contact with the parents of their learners. In addition, parents may consult specific subject teachers in fixed weekly consultation periods or by appointment.
Up to and including grade 9 the medium of instruction is usually German, with the exception of other language subjects. In some subjects, however, learners are divided up into courses and taught together with the learners of the NSec (New Secondary School) stream according to the school's policy of integration. In these subjects a mixed-language tuition takes place.
Subject to specific preconditions learners may also be allocated to the Realschule stream and receive the school-leaving certificate pertaining to the Realschule at the end of grade 10. Extensive and intensive consultations will take place at the end of grade 9 to help the learners make appropriate choices towards the Abitur after 12 years.