At Strothoff International School, our commitment to a High-Quality Learning Curriculum (HQLC) is at the core of our educational mission. This initiative, led by Mrs. Slough-Kuß, is designed to define and streamline the essential knowledge and skills each student should master from kindergarten through DP2. It provides a structured roadmap that ensures consistent learning objectives across all grade levels and subjects, supporting both student achievement and teacher accountability within the IB framework.
The HQLC is more than just a list of topics; it’s a precisely articulated guide that maintains flexibility for teachers while focusing on depth over breadth. “It’s very specific,” explains Mrs. Slough-Kuß. “Teachers have the flexibility to choose materials, like novels, that they feel would resonate with their students, but the essential content and skills to be covered are clearly outlined.” This combination of structure and choice enhances teacher autonomy while aligning with the IB standards and meeting Hessen curriculum requirements.
Collaborative Development Process
The creation of this curriculum has been a highly collaborative, in-depth process. On specific Friday afternoons, faculty members gather to review, discuss, and refine curriculum areas. These meetings, structured around subjects like Humanities, the Arts, and Sciences, allow educators from across the school to contribute their insights and recommendations. In these sessions, teachers work on ensuring both vertical alignment (continuity from one grade level to the next) and horizontal alignment (consistency across subjects in the same grade level).
Once initial feedback is gathered, smaller curriculum teams synthesize this input, crafting a draft that circulates school-wide for further input. The process has been intensive, as teachers provide feedback and collaborate to refine each grade’s curriculum. “It’s been a months-long effort,” Mrs. Slough-Kuß notes, “with teachers actively involved in commenting, suggesting, and refining every detail.” This ongoing feedback loop ensures that the curriculum truly reflects the insights and experiences of those in the classroom, creating a document that supports effective teaching and meaningful learning outcomes.
Clear and Concise Goals for Teachers and Students
With the HQLC, each teacher receives a clear outline of the content and skills they need to cover. This straightforward approach not only supports new teachers by providing a well-defined framework but also encourages in-depth teaching and learning. “Teachers will actually be teaching less content but going much deeper,” Mrs. Slough-Kuß explains, “focusing on core skills and knowledge that are revisited and reinforced.”
An exciting potential for the HQLC is its possible use as a resource for parents. If made available to the school community, parents could access grade-level specifics to support their child’s learning at home. “Imagine if parents could know exactly what their child is learning,” says Mrs. Slough-Kuß. “They could, for example, find books related to fables if that’s the current topic in class.” This transparency could provide valuable insights for families, helping them actively engage in their child’s education.
A Unique Model for Educational Excellence
The HQLC is unique, especially in its alignment with both the IB framework and the local Hessen curriculum, a requirement for maintaining our status as an Ersatzschule (state-approved private school). The curriculum’s design is based on the MYP rubric, making it compatible across the school’s continuum from early learning through high school. Its foundation on clear categories allows teachers to align their teaching with specific grading criteria, enhancing the coherence of assessments and learning objectives.
“Our format doesn’t exist anywhere else,” Mrs. Slough-Kuß reflects proudly. “This is content and skills-focused, not just broad concepts or profiles. It’s about ensuring depth in every student’s education.”
With its blend of rigorous standards, teacher collaboration, and potential community involvement, the HQLC represents Strothoff’s dedication to fostering a high-quality, structured, and engaging learning experience for every student. As the curriculum continues to evolve, it promises to be a cornerstone of the school’s mission for educational excellence.
