School without grades: «Is «good» good enough?»
Anja: «I first had to get used to a school without grades - I moved here at the beginning of year 7. I found it strange at first. I want to know where I stand at school. What I like here is that there's not so much going on, we're a small class and there are relatively many teachers. And they take our pace into consideration and give us more time to learn the material. For example, I get to practise French words for 20 minutes every afternoon, which helps me a lot. Elsewhere at sixth form, you either learn quickly or you just don't keep up.»
The fact that I didn't have a grade certificate didn't bother the taster companies.
Lino
Mery: «I've been going to school at Schüpberg for six months. There are far fewer tests here, more learning assessments. And instead of grades at the end of the school year, there's an assessment report. Personally, I'd rather have a report with grades so that I can clearly see whether it's good enough for secondary level or not. I just don't know: is «good» good enough for secondary school?»
Lino: «I'm at secondary level in German and French and at intermediate level in maths. I recently had a taster of the nursing profession , which I really enjoyed. It was also cool as a computer scientist, where I was allowed to programme and help assemble a PC. The taster companies didn't mind that I didn't have a grade certificate. Even without grades, you have exam pressure, that hasn't changed: We have a weekly French and English test, and maths and German every fortnight. I then add up the points and work out roughly where I stand. Seven out of ten points, for example, I think to myself, probably equates to about a five. I found that better with grades: You knew whether you had only achieved the learning objectives or whether you were really good.»
David: «I recently had a taster as a car dealer, which confirmed to me that I want to learn this profession. I'm at secondary level in maths and at intermediate level in German and French. I've been at our school since 2022. I really like the fact that there are far fewer children here, I can concentrate better. I don't think the fact that there are no grades is an advantage. I liked the previous system better. A grade is just a number. The assessment report, on the other hand, goes further, discusses your work behaviour and so on. I find it unpleasant that such information is passed on to a potential boss. I would prefer a grade assessment.»
