Welcome to Nelson Mandela Secondary School, a German/English bilingual state international school classified as an “integrated secondary school” (Integrierte Sekundarschule or ISS) within the Berlin school system. At the same time, NMS is a school with a special profile and pedagogical focus. The following information offers an overview of the middle school years (grades 7-10).
Admittance
Nelson Mandela School accepts all students that have attended NMS Primary, irrespective of any recommendation they receive at the end of primary school. Highly mobile students are admitted on a preferential basis. Before being admitted, their English skills are assessed by means of an admissions test.
Classes/class teachers
When assigning students to new classes, attention is paid to an equal gender mix, a mix of students who have chosen French or Spanish, and a balance between mother and partner tongue students.
Where possible, one of the class teachers is a German native speaker and the other an English native speaker. The class has a tutor hour (Kerngruppenstunde) in the timetable, during which class matters can be addressed.
Languages
German is taught as either mother tongue or partner tongue in years 7 & 8. If students do not speak any, or little German, they will attend separate German lessons in the Lernbüro. English lessons are differentiated within the learning group, according to academic ability. There is the option between French or Spanish as a foreign language. Students who started a foreign language in 5th grade should, as a rule, continue with the same language. If students cannot participate in a second foreign language (French or Spanish) in year 7, they have the opportunity to take a beginner’s course as an elective from year 9 onwards. French or Spanish as a third foreign language is also offered in year 9.
Language of Instruction
As a bilingual school NMS aims to teach 50% of lessons in English and 50% in German.
- The following subjects are predominantly taught in German: Ethics, Sport, Vocational studies (WAT)
- The following subjects are predominantly taught in English: Natural Sciences, History, Geography
- The following subjects are taught in English and German: Art, Music, Mathematics
The language of instruction also depends on the language of the particular teachers.
Differentiation
As a rule differentiation at the NMS takes place within the individual learning groups (Binnendifferenzierung) for all subjects. From year 7 onwards, an ability level is determined for the subjects English and Maths; this level is indicated on the report card. The ability level can alter at the end of each semester, according to the grade attained. In years 9 & 10 the ability level is also added for German, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
There are two levels of differentiation for these subjects:
- ER: erhöhtes Anforderungsniveau/extension
- GR: Grundlegendes Anforderungsniveau/foundation
Students require a sufficient number of ER levels in order to gain entry into upper school (Abitur/IB).
The Berlin school system. Basic information 2021
Advancing to the next grade
As in all ISS schools in Berlin, students automatically advance to the next grade at the beginning of the new school year. Upon request of the student’s parents / guardians, students may repeat one year voluntarily.
Middle school leaving certificates
Nelson Mandela School awards all of the following middle school leaving certificates:
- BBR: Berufsbildungsreife (certificate of vocational education)
- eBBR: erweiterte Berufsbildungsreife (further certificate of vocational education)
- MSA: Mittlerer Schulabschluss (general certificate of education)
- MSA (GO): general certificate of education and qualification for Abitur / IB
The School Day
Lessons generally start at 8.00 am and end at 3.50 pm On Thursdays school ends at 3.00 pm and for years 7 & 8, lessons often end before 3.50 pm on Fridays. Unlike primary school, students will not always be supervised until 4pm in case lessons finish earlier, or if a lesson at the end of the day is cancelled. The school club is, however, available every day until 4pm which is always supervised by one of our social pedagogues.
Timetable
Please find the timetable for the school day here.
Grading table
Please find the grading table for lower secondary here.
Electives 7th and 8th year
In years 7 and 8 at the Nelson Mandela School, pupils take two-hour elective courses as part of the full-day program. There are only elective options for the pupils in one semester; in the other semester, they all take an additional two-hour sports course to optimize their physical condition. The following elective courses will be offered in the 2024 / 2025 school year:
Orchestra
Choir
MUN (Model United Nations Club)
Pottery
Athletics
Yoga
Bouldering
Woodwork
Participation in the elective courses is compulsory. However, it is not assessed with a numerical grade, but is listed on the certificate as a comment.
9th and 10th grade profile courses
At the beginning of year 9, an additional graded profile course is chosen, which is maintained for two school years until the end of year 10 and whose grade is included in the MSA final certificate. Profile courses offer a deeper and more intensive examination of the chosen subject and can be a useful preparation for the upper school or an apprenticeship after the end of year 10. After a trial week, the final course is determined and signed off by the parents/guardians. In the 2024/2025 school year, the Nelson Mandela School offers the following profile courses
- French (as an additional foreign language alongside Spanish or as a mandatory requirement for the upper school if no Romance foreign language has been taken from Year 7)
- Spanish (as an additional foreign language alongside French or as a compulsory requirement for the upper school if no Romance foreign language has been taken from year 7)
- Mathematics
- STEM
- sport
- History / Politics
Geography
Computer Science
- Art & Design
- Theater
Some profile courses are taught across year groups, others are taught in the same year group. The French profile course and the Spanish profile course are each taught for four hours, all other courses are taught for two hours.
Social education area
There are four social pedagogues currently working in the area of social pedagogy. One member of the team is assigned to each class. Their office is located on the ground floor of the new building close to the school club.
Library
Our well-equipped bilingual library is located on the ground floor, providing students with space for independent research and quiet work during breaks.
The current book list for secondary level I (grades 7 to 10) can be found here.
Cafeteria
We are happy to be able to offer our students freshly cooked meals in the cafeteria. Breakfast is available before lessons start. During the day a wide range of food is on offer, including two different lunch options. You can register with bookfood.de and order hot lunches online. Contact: Thomas Beier.