Our Profiles in the Upper Secondary Level

Our upper secondary level, with its five profiles, offers a broad general education paired with the opportunity to pursue individual interests, strengths, and inclinations.

Each profile has one fixed advanced course (Leistungskurs) as well as two profile-related basic courses (Grundkurse). In addition, there is a second advanced course, which can be selected from various options depending on the profile.

In the introductory phase (E-Phase) of the upper secondary level, we still work extensively within the profile group and form a class team that enables new friendships and offers mutual support. The tutors of the individual profiles support the students, advise them, and provide orientation in the new, still unfamiliar world of the upper secondary level.

Culture Profile - Literature and Theater

"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world."

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Adopting new perspectives, reflecting, feeling, understanding, expanding cultural horizons, and crossing linguistic boundaries – literature makes all of this possible. We explore its diverse forms and establish historical and social contexts. After all, literature is always a mirror of its time. The German profile is not just about reading novels, dramas, and poems, but about understanding, interpreting, and contextualizing them, as well as relating them to one’s own life.

We also examine language in non-fiction texts and speeches, analyze arguments, and identify

manipulation. Language is a powerful instrument that shapes thoughts and viewpoints. We investigate this. One’s own linguistic competence also plays a major role: How do I speak, how do I write? How can I expand my own linguistic boundaries in order to speak and write at a high level in a structured and effective manner – and not just in the subject of German?

The German profile requires a passion for language, reading, and communication, as well as very solid writing skills – linguistically, stylistically, and orthographically.

Profile Subject: Advanced German Course

Profile-Related Subjects: Performing Arts and History

Second Advanced Course: English, Music, Pedagogy, Computer Science, Sports, or Economics

English - Globalization, an Adventure from Past to Present

"Change your language and you change your thoughts."

Karl Albrecht

In the course of globalization and modernization, English is indispensable and unrivaled as a universal “lingua franca.” The highest possible level of language competence in English is of great importance almost everywhere, whether in school, university, or professional life. Listening comprehension, mediation, and writing skills are the three core competencies that we train, expand, and deepen in the English profile in a variety of ways. In doing so, we use foreign-language media, literature, and non-fiction texts, and explore various topics interculturally, communicatively, and methodically.

Anyone wishing to join the English profile should enjoy communicating orally, reading, and writing in this foreign language. Interest in various English-speaking cultures, openness to new things, and a willingness to acquire global knowledge are also important.

Profile Subject: Advanced English Course

Profile-Related Subjects: German and History

Second Advanced Course: Economics, Pedagogy, or Sports

Pedagogy - On the Way to Independence

"It is not what is done to us that matters, but what we do with what is done to us."

Jean-Paul Sartre

Upbringing and education are of steadily growing importance in our society. As a result, the subject of pedagogy is not only interesting for students aiming for a social profession. In the pedagogy profile, we reflect on and process our own experiences of upbringing. We deal with attachment research, learning theory, and psychoanalysis, and concern ourselves with psychological disorders and their forms of therapy. Another focus is identity formation in adolescence with its challenges and problems.

Cooperation with the psychiatric department at the Klinikum

Bremen-Ost, project work with the juvenile court assistance service, and other youth facilities provide practical insights into the topics we have developed theoretically.

Anyone wishing to join the pedagogy profile does not need any subject-specific prior knowledge, but rather the will to engage with many demanding theoretical texts and models, to question themselves, and to sharpen their own social awareness.

Profile Subject: Advanced Pedagogy Course

Profile-Related Subjects: German and History

Second Advanced Course: English, Biology, or Math

Biology/Natural Sciences - Ecological and Social Future

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

Aristotle

In the biology profile, we deal with the fascination of life: starting at the cellular level, we study the origin and function of organs and living beings at various levels. In ecology, the focus is on the relationships between organisms and their environment. In evolution, we ask about the origin and development of life. Genetics offers insights into the emergence of individuality and diseases. Finally, neurobiology provides a deeper understanding of perception, learning, and movement.
During Q1 and Q2, the biology profile usually undertakes a study trip to a location where animals and plants can still be observed, quantified, and identified in the

autumn (e.g., Italy, Croatia, etc.). The focus here is, of course, on the enjoyment of the work and, in general, an unforgettable experience in nature.

In times of AI and fake news, we pay particular attention to identifying scientifically verifiable statements within the vast abundance of information. Understanding scientific procedures, methods, and empirical data evaluation is necessary as a core competence in order to develop one’s own reasoned arguments and thus participate in social discourse.

The basis for successful participation in the biology profile is a fundamental interest in living beings and nature, as well as the enjoyment and perseverance required to analyze phenomena of the living world, engage intensively with theoretical texts, and also perform practical work.

Profile Subject: Advanced Biology Course

Profile-Related Subjects: German and Politics

Second Advanced Course: English, Pedagogy, or Economics

Modeling Reality

"Mathematics is the music of reason."

James Joseph Sylvester

Mathematics as an advanced course offers insights into the world of mathematics and beyond. What is learned not only prepares students specifically for the Abitur but can also be applied in many areas. Visits to universities, technical colleges, the aerospace industry, and excursions to other learning locations are as much a part of the math profile as the creation of project work.

We focus on action- and problem-oriented teaching. The success of this concept is reflected in the feedback from our students and the results in the written Abitur exams.

Thematically, we concentrate on analysis in the introductory phase; in grades 12 and 13, analytical geometry and stochastics follow – i.e., probability theory, which is used, for example, in movie streaming and predicting stock prices, and statistics, which plays a significant role in science and politics.

Good prior knowledge is an advantage for the math profile. Furthermore, you need to enjoy calculating and solving puzzles, as well as logic and structure. You should also enjoy spending a longer and more in-depth period of time on a single subject.

Profile Subject: Advanced Math Course