PISA, Education Studies, and Reality in the Classroom: What Really Matters to Many Parents …
The international comparative study PISA measures the competencies and skills of 15-year-old students in key areas of knowledge. It says nothing about the character of the individual child, but by measuring competencies, it also paints a picture of the conditions under which learning takes place and how these conditions affect academic performance. Large and heterogeneous classes, rising demands, widely varying learning prerequisites, and significant organizational pressure on schools thus lead to measurable consequences.
While it is undisputed that teachers in many public schools do impressive work—often under very challenging conditions—at the same time, many families feel that their child could be supported even better under even more favorable conditions. They feel there is too little calm, too little time for individual feedback, and for even more targeted support. This applies to students in academic high schools as well as to those in secondary schools.
The crucial question, therefore, is not: Is the current school good or bad for my child? Much more relevant is the question of whether the current learning environment is optimally suited to one’s own child or whether other conditions would be even more beneficial.
Why the broader context is so crucial—regardless of the school system
From an educational perspective, individual learning success does not depend solely on the curriculum and its implementation. What is crucial is a combination of:
- the quality and continuity of instruction
- sufficient (and ideally supervised) practice time
- clear structures and set learning times
- reliable relationships with teachers and caregivers
And it is precisely these factors that are currently under immense pressure throughout the entire education system. PISA and other studies demonstrate this very clearly.
The current challenges are therefore certainly systemic as well. They affect public and private schools alike. The difference, however, is this: A private boarding high school with an affiliated middle school program (such as our boarding school) has additional flexibility in many areas to respond to this situation—for both high school students and middle school students.
What Additional Opportunities a Private Boarding High School Offers
As a private high school with a boarding program, we at Schloss-Schule Kirchberg certainly have the opportunity to structure our daily school and boarding life differently from a regular public school in several particularly relevant ways. For example, in the following areas:
Smaller classes: more time for each student
At our private high school, we are able to deliberately limit class sizes (currently to an average of 17 students). This creates a calmer learning environment, allows more time for individualized feedback, and provides better opportunities to identify and address learning gaps early on.
Through our close collaboration with our partner Realschule and as part of our extended high school program starting in 10th grade, we provide individualized support to all students who initially attend the Realschule.
For all of our students, this means they won’t be “overlooked” in classes that are too large, but will instead receive optimal attention—both academically and personally—within a manageable setting.
A Structured Daily Routine at School and Boarding School Instead of Constant Stress
As a boarding high school in Baden-Württemberg, we combine instruction, supervised study periods, and specific recreational activities into a clearly structured daily schedule. Set study periods, scheduled rest periods, and reliable routines help students develop to their full potential and solidify the fundamentals they’ve learned.
Unlike at traditional day schools, homework at our school doesn’t have to be rushed through late at night. Learning takes place within the framework of a well-thought-out schedule, guided by qualified educators.
A carefully selected faculty and a clear educational profile
As a private school and high school, we are also able to carefully select our faculty, thereby developing a clear educational profile as a team. This allows us to align the quality of instruction, student support, and our interactions with one another according to a defined approach.
Our mission statement, our programs in languages, the arts, and science and technology, and our boarding school concept are all carefully interwoven. For the students, this means that their learning, living, and leisure activities are guided by a well-thought-out educational philosophy.
Learning, Living, and Leisure All in One Place
At a private boarding school like ours, much of our daily life takes place in one location. This includes classes, supervised study periods, life at the boarding school, and a wide range of recreational activities—from horseback riding and basketball to creative and musical pursuits.
This shortens travel distances, reduces everyday stress, and gives us the opportunity to closely support children and teenagers throughout the day. Especially at a time when PISA results point to growing learning disparities, this closer support is quite rightly an important factor for many families when choosing a private boarding high school like ours.
For which children might a private boarding school be a good fit?
A private boarding high school is by no means THE solution for every child. However, it is an interesting option if parents feel that their child needs a different environment. For example, transferring to a private high school may be a good idea for children who …
- … benefit from clear daily structures and reliable routines,
… “get lost” in (too) large classes and need more individual attention, - … would like to pursue their interests—such as horseback riding, basketball, music, art, technology, or languages—more intensively without letting their academic performance suffer,
- … feel more comfortable in a manageable, personal environment than in very large systems.
Public high school or private high school: It's not an either/or question
It is important to us to note that many children are very well “cared for” in public schools. Teachers and schools there are deeply committed to their work, often under particularly challenging conditions.
A private boarding school like our Schloss-Schule Kirchberg is therefore not a counter-model. It is a complement to the educational landscape of Germany and Baden-Württemberg. For some children and families, this—that is, our type of school and boarding school—offers precisely the slightly different structure, as well as the closeness and support, that is particularly beneficial for them.
Next Steps: Taking Concrete Steps to Improve Your Child's Educational Opportunities
The latest PISA study results have once again made it clear that our education system as a whole faces major challenges. Parents have little influence over these broader trends and structural challenges. However, they can certainly make decisions for their own child that will significantly improve that child’s educational opportunities.
If you’d like to explore whether a private boarding high school in Baden-Württemberg (such as our Schloss-Schule Kirchberg) might be a good fit for your child, we recommend taking two initial steps.
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Request our information packet. It provides a comprehensive overview of our boarding school, high school, secondary school tracks, and the 10th Grade Plus program.
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Schedule a personal consultation. Together with you, we’ll determine whether and how our school and boarding school profile aligns with your child’s situation.
We’ll take the time to answer your questions, provide an honest assessment, and show you what next steps might be possible and appropriate.
