Germany, Berlin: John F. Kennedy School
Other Releases
Released by the Office of Overseas Schools
Washington, DC
John F. Kennedy School
Web: www.jfks.de
2008-2009
The John F. Kennedy School, founded in 1960, is a bilingual, bicultural German-American college preparatory public school. Students of both nationalities are taught together in the same classroom with the goal of developing respect, tolerance and understanding for each other and for the partner culture. The school year consists of 2 semesters normally extending from mid-August to early July.
Organization: Unlike an international school, the Kennedy School is a German public school organized under the auspices of the Berlin government. The Berlin Senate Office of Education is responsible for the overall operation of the school. A 10-member Educational Directorate, comprised of representatives from the U.S. Embassy, the Berlin government, and the parent body, functions in a board of education capacity.
Curriculum: The curriculum combines features of both the American and German educational systems. Instruction is in German and English, with English being emphasized. American students learn German in formal, daily lessons beginning in the third grade. The program at all levels is designed to accommodate American students who have little or no knowledge of the German language. Classes in remedial reading and math are available in the elementary school. The Kennedy School emphasizes academic excellence. There is a probationary period following acceptance for all students, one year for elementary pupils and six months for students in grades seven and above. The entire school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and offers students the possibility to attain the American high school diploma and/or the German arbitur. A comprehensive Advanced Placement program is also offered.
Newly accepted American students in grades 7-12 with no knowledge of German receive instruction in English in all subjects except for the German language classes. As their proficiency in German increases, they participate in classes where the medium of instruction is bilingual German and English, or predominately German. French, Latin, and Spanish are also taught as foreign languages. Religious instruction is offered on an optional basis.
Numerous extracurricular activities are available for both elementary and high school students. Musical performances and drama productions are particularly strong features of the school’s program. Students may also become involved in various individual and team sports, in student government, and in yearbook, literary or newspaper publications. For older students, class trips are scheduled to Austria, England, France, Italy and within Germany, depending on the particular grade level, and promote German-American integration among students.
Faculty: There are 148 full-time and 12 part-time faculty members in the 2008-2009 school year, including 75 U.S. citizens, 83 German citizens, and 2 third-country nationals.
Enrollment: Enrollment at the opening of the 2008-2009 school year was 1,696 (Kdg.-grade 6: 806, and grades 7-13: 890). Of the total, 581 were Americans, 959 were Germans, and 156 were third-country nationals. The U.S. enrollment included 31 dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees.
Facilities: Located in Zehlendorf, a residential area in the southwest of Berlin, the school's six buildings house an integrated elementary and high school. The School has 135 classrooms, 9 science laboratories, 2 library-media centers, 4computer labs, modern sports facilities, a fine arts and drama annex, and a cafeteria.
Finances: The Kennedy School is a public school. No tuition is charged.
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.