The John F. Kennedy Elementary School is a bilingual, bicultural, German-American public school situated in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf in the southwestern part of Berlin. The elementary school is among the largest in Berlin with five sections of each grade level, entrance class through grade 6. Parents send their children to the John F. Kennedy Elementary School because of the appeal of a bilingual, bicultural education in a multicultural school community. German and American students are taught together in the same classroom with the goal of developing respect, tolerance, and understanding for each other and for the partner culture.

Our Bilingual and Bicultural Program
The curriculum combines features of both the American and German educational systems. The elementary school offers unique opportunities for a child's early exposure and contact to the partner culture and language. Instruction is in German and English, with English being emphasized because of the German-language environment surrounding the students. All students are assigned a Mother Tongue and a Partner Tongue, which define their language arts program during the school day.

Language Arts Instruction in English and German
Because the development of a secure Mother Tongue is a vital part of the curriculum and a prerequisite for learning a partner language, English Mother Tongue and German Mother Tongue instruction takes place daily starting in grade 1 and continues through grade 6. Native English and German speakers always instruct language classes

All students begin with formal Partner Tongue instruction in grade 3. The program is designed to accommodate American children or children of other nationalities who have little or no knowledge of the German language. These lessons include oral work and a formal reading and writing program. German for native English-speaking students is taught at three differentiated levels: Beginning (D4), Intermediate (D3), and Advanced (D2). English Partner Tongue for native German-speaking students is taught at one level (E2).

Mother tongue and Partner Tongue Instructional Hours
First and second grade students receive 10 hours of Mother Tongue instruction per week, and there is no formal instruction in the Partner Tongue. Students are introduced to their partner language informally through an integrated program, which incorporates singing and other group activities.

Third grade students have 7 hours of Mother Tongue and 5 hours of Partner Tongue, while in fourth grade students have 6 hours of Mother Tongue and 5 hours of Partner Tongue. By the time the students reach grades 5 and 6, it is expected that they have a secure foundation in their Mother Tongue, and they receive 6 hours of instruction in each language. Students highly proficient in both languages can also be recommended for participation in Double Mother Tongue. Students who need extra support in their mother tongue may be recommended for additional remedial instruction (reading lab/Leseladen).

Other Subjects taught by the Homeroom Teacher or Specialists
Throughout the school the homeroom teacher is responsible for teaching Math, Social Studies and Art. In grades 3 through 6, children have different teachers for Music, Science, and Physical Education, all of which are taught in well-equipped special facilities. Swimming is an integral part of the program in grade 3. Formal computer instruction begins in grade 3, although students in the lower elementary school use computers for selected activities. Field trips provide students with first-hand experience in getting to know Berlin.

The School Library
The elementary school library and media center supports the extensive language arts program through its bilingual collection of books. Library skills are taught as an integrated part of the language program and during special library hours in grades 2 - 5. Computer workstations are available for students completing research projects for their language arts classes.

Holidays in the Classroom
Classroom celebrations such as Halloween, St. Martin’s Day (Lantern Festival), Thanksgiving, St. Nikolas Day, and Fasching (Carnival) acquaint the students with the customs and traditions of the partner nations. Other celebrations throughout the school year help students become aware of different cultures and belief systems.

Classtrips, Fundraising, Student Council
JFKS sponsors a class trip within Germany for students in either grade 5 or grade 6. To earn additional money for their activities and class trips, students and teachers organize bake sales and other fund-raising activities. An active student council, consisting of students from grades 3 – 6, is also involved with service-oriented activities. “Christmas in a Shoebox”, collecting canned goods for local food shelves, penny drives, and other activities give students their first opportunity to serve others in the community.

School Calendar
The school year, extending from late August to early July, is divided into two semesters. The calendar includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, fall and spring vacations, as well as American and German holidays.

Lunch at School
Beginning in grade 3, hot lunches are available to all students during the school day. Students in the lower elementary school have a long snack break late in the morning, and either eat lunch at home or when their after-school day care begins.

Extracurricular Activities
An extensive program of extracurricular activities is offered during the lunch hour and after school for students in grades 2 – 6. Children have the opportunity to further develop their talents in musical, athletic and academic activities.

After School Care
Two forms of day care are available when there is no instruction, both of which are provided by the John F. Kennedy Friendship Center. The “Late Birds” day care program is available to all families and is designed to take care of students, who are waiting for an older sibling to finish instruction or who do not qualify for the “Hort” program. The “Hort” program is a comprehensive before- and after- school day care program, designed specifically for families, where both parents are working. Application for this program is made through the social services office in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, and fees are based upon the family’s income.