• Can a student pick his/her own locker?

    No. Lockers are assigned annually.

    * If there is an immediate need due to medical reasons, etc., switches can usually be accommodated by contacting Herr Radke.

     

    Can a student bring his/her own lock?

    No. Locks for the lockers are provided by Rilke Schule; private locks may not be used; a coded lock can be received by depositing $10 at the front office. Once the lock is returned at the end of the year, the money will be handed back as well.

     

    Should a student bring his/her own computer to school?

    No. We provide a computer for every student when in-class assignments need to be worked on.

     

    Is there a special dress code for PE class?

    Yes. We encourage all middle school students to change into workout clothes and wear proper sport shoes. Shorts need to reach down to a student’s fingertips, and shirts need to have sleeves. Students will be informed by their teacher should P.E. be held outside, and different gear is needed.

     

    How much time is allotted for switching classes?

    Not much. Since we want to maximize our instructional time and because we would like to have the lowest number of hallway/locker behavior problems, we allot only a few minutes to switch classes (max. 5). Students are to go directly to the next class and/or only stop briefly at their locker to gather necessary materials.

     

    Will parents receive a weekly newsletter?

    No. We are using more flexible options of communication, such as e-mails and texts. You will receive the necessary information at the beginning of the school year from your child’s teachers.

     

    Can a middle school student go to Kaladi’s during recess/lunch?

    No. We are a closed campus. Students are to stay on the premises during the entire school day. If you would like to allow your child to walk somewhere after school, a permission slip needs to be on file in our front office.

     

    Why does every middle school student have to stay in German during the Immersion classes?

    Imagine getting a group of people together to practice soccer. Now imagine one or two people out of the group picking up the ball with their hands and running around with it on the field , trying to play American football every time the ball comes close to them… We don’t want a few to ruin the educational experience for the majority of the group.

     

    What happens to the German language education after 8th grade?

    As of the 2016/2017 school year, ASD has been offering German Immersion classes at Service High School. Therefore, we encourage our students to attend Service High, but most other high schools in Anchorage offer regular German programs as well. Students can earn a “Seal of Biliteracy” in high school, and some may eventually be able to take AP German courses and possibly earn university credits. Service High just got approved to administer the DSD2 (B2) German exam as well (entry requirement for most German universities). In high school, students can also achieve the “Seal of Biliteracy” from the Anchorage school district.

     

    How can a parent help at home not knowing German?

    Because we know that only a very few of our parents are fluent in German, we try to cover most German work during our regular classes. A non-fluent parent can still offer opportunities for the student to engage with the foreign language! The more exposure, the better. Give German books and games as gifts, watch movies and shows in German, download German apps, listen to German music, etc... If you have questions about certain materials, do not hesitate to contact your child’s German teacher.

     

    How do you determine which math class to place a student in?

    Our math levels in 7th/8th grade are as follows: Math 7, Math 8 (incl. advanced 7th graders), Algebra, Geometry. A proficient math student will complete Math 6 in 6th grade, move to Math 7 or Math 8 in 7th grade, and then either into Math 8 or Algebra in 8th grade. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Determining which student gets placed in which math class depends on many factors, such as past and present test scores, maturity level, and teacher availability. Should a student be recommended for an out-of-the-ordinary placement, the math teacher responsible will get in contact with the student’s parents and discuss details.

     

    Why is no Pre-Algebra class offered?

    Algebra is technically a high school class; 7th graders advanced in math will be placed in math 8, which is a preparatory course for Algebra and takes the place of a traditional Pre-Algebra class.

     

    Is there a snack break for middle school students?

    Students have the option to eat a small healthy snack during one of their morning classes. The respective teacher sets his/her classroom rules regarding snacks. Usually, this means no lunch boxes and/or crinkly bags of chips etc. We encourage students to bring a small snack, such as a piece of fruit.

     

    Can Rilke Schule students earn high school credit?

    Yes! If a student attends Rilke Schule from Kindergarten all the way through 8th grade, a high school language credit can be requested on their high school transcript. The 8th grade 4th quarter German grade would be used.

     

    What do CTE and PLTW stand for?

    Students in CTE (Career and Technical Education) take PLTW (Project Lead The Way) courses, specifically geared towards our grade levels. These gateway courses enrich and go beyond the basic science curriculum. They involve projects and problem-solving activities in the fields of computer science and engineering, placing a special emphasis on career readiness and exploration. Rilke Schule is proud to have trained teachers who can provide these special opportunities for our 7th and 8th grade students.