Learning together for longer - the SIS orientation level

The change from elementary school to secondary school is associated with many question marks and challenges: Parents are often concerned about choosing the right type of school and the right school - for the children, moving from their familiar classroom to a new school is a major challenge.

Educational researchers have long complained that the transition to secondary school after Year 4 is too early for children's personal and intellectual development. The Saxon School Act provides for an orientation function for years 5 and 6: The curriculum content does not differ or differs insignificantly between Oberschule and Gymnasium, and differentiation in terms of school types and skills development does not begin until grade 7.

Since last year, SIS has therefore been gradually introducing an SIS orientation level in which the children continue to learn together in Years 5 and 6 and differentiation according to school type only begins in Year 7. How does this work? The classes continue to learn together - where possible, our SIS primary school pupils remain together in one class. The basis is the grammar school curriculum, so that the foundations are laid for every possible school transition.

With the SIS orientation level, we want to give children more time for their development and thus provide parents and children with a secure basis for choosing the right type of school. The orientation level started at our schools in Niederwürschnitz and Geithain this school year, at our schools in Meerane in the new school year, followed by Elsterberg and Reinsdorf.