Leipzig International School
| Leipzig International School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , | |
| Information | |
| Type | International School |
| Established | 1992 |
| Head of school | David Smith |
| Staff | ca. 180 |
| Number of students | ca. 850 (2015) |
| Website | LIS homepage |
Leipzig International School is a non-profit co-educational day school for students from Pre-School/Early Childhood and Nursery (age 1) to grade 12. The school was established 1992 in Leipzig, Germany, and was the first international school in central Germany, and is now the largest, with around 850 students from 60 countries led by teachers from 20 nations.[1] The school's campusses are located in the districts of Plagwitz (Early Childhood Centre), and Schleußig (school campus). English is the language of instruction at LIS, meaning that all subjects, except for additional languages and German, are taught in English. Leipzig International School is led by David Smith (head of school).
Profile
The school is divided into three sections:
- Early Childhood Centre with Nursery 1 & 2 - age-alike groups for children from one year old through to three years; and Early Years 1, 2 & 3 - (Kindergarten/Preschool) for children from three year old through to six years;
- Primary School - grades 1 to 5; and
- Secondary School - grades 6 to 12.
Educational Offerings
Language of instruction is English. German is taught both as an additional language and in standard classes following the State curriculum. French and Spanish are also offered as foreign languages in the Secondary School. Additional learning support and varied counselling services are also available to all. The Primary School follows the International Primary Curriculum, and the Secondary School the Cambridge Secondary 1 and IGCSE Programme. The gateway to higher education is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and the IB Career-Related Programme. Extra-curricular activities include language courses (Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Portuguese ), sports, drama and music lessons.[2] Student support services include counselling, learning support, and child welfare/protection. An in-house nurse provides immediate care and health education.[3]
Facilities
The 1880s school building was extensively renovated in 2007 and enhanced by new construction. In addition to more than 70 classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, facilities include a large sports hall, after-school care (Hort) facilities and a playground, science laboratories, music and art rooms, an international library, and computer labs. WiFi is accessible throughout the buildings. The Early Childhood Centre is a purpose built facility for the youngest children, opened in 2014.[4]
History
LIS opened its doors as a kindergarten in 1992, with just three children and one teacher. In 1993 grade one was added, and the school was approved by the State of Saxony and granted official status (German: Ersatzschule). Following the reunification of Germany, international companies started moving to Leipzig, and their employees and families necessarily followed. In 1995, LIS began providing secondary education for the children of these families, thus contributing to the economic and cultural renaissance of the city and surrounding region.[5]
By 1997, the school had reached 70 students in grades one to eight.
In 1998 the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) was introduced at grade nine level. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme followed in 2000, initially being taught to an intimate group of three students.
In 2001, the school moved into its current premises, and in 2001 there were 120 students. This year, Michael Webster (GB) take up the headship of LIS. At the end of the year, four students were celebrated as the first to take IB examinations and graduate from LIS.
During the 2003-04 school year the primary school ran separate classes at each grade level for the first time. In 2005-06 the school received a grant of almost €8 million for building renovations and the construction of a new sports facility on the Könneritzstraße grounds. Enrolment rose to 420 students that year.
After eight years of service, Michael Webster retired in July 2009, handing over to Roel Scheepens (NL). In January 2012 accreditation was granted from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) after a two-year long accreditation self-study.[6]
As of August 2014 David Smith (GB) is the head of school, the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) has been introduced as an alternative pathway to graduation from grades 11 and 12, and LIS opened its second campus, the Early Childhood Centre, in neighbouring Plagwitz.
References
- ^ Brief History of the LIS LIS homepage, viewed on 6 October 2015
- ^ Facts about LIS, LIS homepage, viewed on 7 October 2015
- ^ Student support services, LIS homepage, viewed on 7 October 2015
- ^ Ein Kindergarten für die International School, Leipziger Internetzeitung, viewed on 7 October 2015 (German)
- ^ Welcome to Leipzig, Wirtschaftsblatt Ostdeutschland, viewed on 7 October 2015 (German)
- ^ Membership Directory, Council of International Schools Homepage, viewed on 7 October 2015
