Bilingual Classes
Since the 2021/22 school year, Sek eins Höfe has been continuing the idea of bilingual teaching but using a new concept. In doing so, it is following on from the success of Sekpro. The bilingual classes are offered at the Riedmatt and Weid schools.
Like regular secondary schools, the bilingual programme offers comprehensive preparation for the transition to vocational high school apprenticeships, to grammar school (possible with bilingual Swiss Federal Baccalaureate), and to higher secondary level schools. Specific additional courses in languages, mathematics and technology are open to all high-achieving and motivated middle school pupils.
Bilingual classes are held in accordance with the legal requirements of the Canton of Schwyz
Target group of the bilingual secondary school
The target group of the bilingual secondary school are highly-motivated and high-achieving pupils who transfer from primary school to the public secondary school in the Höfe district. They show age-appropriate, well-developed competencies such as independence, self-confidence, personal achievement, motivation and interest.
Curriculum and syllabus
The teaching content is based on Curriculum 21 of the Canton of Schwyz. Because some subjects are taught in English, the pupils acquire additional language skills.
Curriculum 21, the flexible lesson plan and the educational concept "Ich bi parat!" (I'm ready!) enable individual promotion of subject-specific and generic competences. Sek eins Höfe uses the leeway offered by the flexible lesson plan for the bilingual classes as well as for the other middle and intermediate middle school classes.
Subjects taught bilingually
The subjects mathematics, RZG (Spaces, Times, Societies) and nature and technology are mainly taught in English. Other subjects, such as music, sport, visual arts or an elective in English, can also be taught partly in English.
Admission and recommendations
Parents enrol their child in the bilingual secondary school in the 6th grade as part of the regular transfer procedure. In principle, all children who have been assigned to the middle school can register for the bilingual secondary school.
For the pupils of the bilingual secondary school, the fact that they have to be able to understand and apply learning material in various subjects in German and English requires a high degree of ability and willingness to perform.
The bilingual secondary school is open to students who..
- live in the district of Höfe
- received assignment for secondary school
- bring at least the recommended doctorate average of 5.0 in the 6th grade
- enjoy the English language
- want to achieve good school results independently and with motivation
For young people with English as their first language, we recommend the Norm-Sek.
School location and class allocation
The school location and class allocation guidelines of Sek eins Höfe apply to all pupils:
- Balanced class sizes at all school locations as far as possible
- Geographical distance from the school
- If a pupil cannot be enrolled at his or her place of residence, then at least one pupil from the same district should be assigned to the same class (pay attention to the district to which the pupil belongs)
- Reasoned recommendation from the Department of School Psychology (ASP) or Triaplus (Schwyz Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
- No preferential treatment will be given to requests from parents submitted in advance
- In the 3rd school year, there is usually a bilingual class at the Weid site in Pfäffikon.
Promotion
Promotion is based on the cantonal requirements. The grade point average for promotion to the next grade is 4.0.
Pupils who do not meet the grade point average must repeat the year (in the bilingual secondary school or another middle school class) or transfer to a 2nd intermediate middle school class.
Transfer
Transfer from and to the standard secondary classes is guaranteed in accordance with cantonal requirements.
The admission of pupils during the lower secondary level is possible at the following dates:
- End of the 1st semester of the 1st school year
- End of 2nd school year
Appeals
Transfer to the lower secondary level is based on an extended assessment in the primary school. In case of disagreement about the allocation (middle school or intermediate middle school), a decision is made after hearing all parties involved at the request of the primary school head:
District School Board
Government Council of the Canton of Schwyz
In case of a possible reallocation after the 1st semester of the 1st grade as well as after the end of the 2nd grade, the local headmaster decides The first instance of appeal is the District School Board
School report
The school report for the bilingual secondary school is issued on the report form valid for the canton. The performance assessments (exams) of the pupils of the bilingual secondary school correspond to those of the "regular" secondary school classes.
A supplementary sheet is attached to the school report, on which the bilingual secondary school is briefly explained and the affiliation to the bilingual secondary school is shown. Additional certificates of achievement, e.g. language certificates, are documented separately.
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Natural Investigation Workshops for 6th graders
Are you interested in natural wonders and phenomena of our earth? Together with other 6th graders from the Höfe district, you will explore the fascination of the 4 elements water, earth, fire and air outdoors and in the laboratory. The researcher language is English. You don't have to be perfect in English, but bring joy and curiosity.
Further information and the possibility to register can be found on our flyer.
