International Abitur

In order to obtain the additional qualification "International Abitur Baden-Württemberg", a subject taught in English must be taken in the Secondary School. In this subject, the Abitur examination must be passed in English at the end of the course.

Upon passing the examination, the international Secondary School graduation is considered a C1 language certificate. This certificate proves that students have sufficient language skills to communicate at a professional level, to carry out complex research tasks or to prepare and present content adequately. This certificate thus opens many doors in training, career and university. Especially those who want to study abroad no longer have to provide any other proof of language proficiency (such as the TOEFL test) thanks to the International Baccalaureate, as it is accepted as such by most universities.

Due to the bilingual learning at the Josef Schwarz School, our students are predestined for the International Baccalaureate. This is because already in secondary level 1 about half of the subjects are taught in English (bilingual concept). After this intensive preparation, our students know the examination requirements, the vocabulary and the learning situation to the extent that the requirements of the International Baccalaureate will be easier for them.

a) In which subjects is it possible to take the International Abitur?

The state of Baden-Württemberg currently offers the International Baccalaureate in the subjects History, Geography and Biology. As Biology and Geography are already taught in English at the Josef-Schwarz-Schule from the beginning of the lower school, the International Abitur Baden-Württemberg can be taken in these subjects.

b) What requirements are needed to pass and receive the certificate?

We as the Josef Schwarz School have requirements which are covered at an early stage due to our special structure. For example, we consistently teach subjects in the natural sciences in secondary level 1 in English. In addition, one of the following options must be taken into account when taking courses for the upper school:

• Bilingual subject five hours + free choice of a foreign language as a performance subject.
• Bilingual subject five hours + two foreign languages (one of which is English) as three-hour basic subjects
• Five hours of bilingual subject and five hours of English as a special subject.
• In all constellations, the average in the four courses must not be below 5 points. The Abitur examination must also be passed with 5 points.

c) What is the "Bilingual Certificate Course Level" and how does it differ from the "International Abitur Baden-Württemberg"?

Students will also be able to acquire the "Bilingual Certificate Course Level" at the Josef Schwarz School. This is also a C1 language certificate, but it is somewhat easier to achieve. Unlike the International Secondary School Graduation, it does not qualify as an independent qualification, but only as a certificate. To obtain this certificate, one of the following combinations must be chosen:

• Bilingual seminar course + English as a five-hour performance subject.
• Bilingual subject 3 hours + English as a 5-hour performance subject
• Bilingual subject 5 hours + English as a 3-hour basic subject
• The examination language is English if the content is examined in the secondary school graduation.

d) Is the International Abitur the same as that of the surrounding secondary schools?

The International Abitur of the state-recognised Josef Schwarz School fully complies with the framework conditions of Baden-Württemberg and therefore has the same requirements as the International Abitur of the surrounding secondary schools. A clear advantage of the students of the Josef-Schwarz-Schule, who have already passed secondary level 1 with us, is that our students have a wide-ranging vocabulary as well as an above-average communication competence in the English language thanks to the bilingual lessons from grade 5 onwards.