216, rue Victoria, Baie-D'Urfé, Montreal, Quebec, H9X 2H9(MAP)
216 rue Victoria, Baie-D’Urfé, Montreal, Quebec, H9X 2H9(MAP)
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Our Perspective
How we see Alexander von Humboldt German International School
The program at Alexander von Humboldt is unique in Canada, principally because it admits students for whom either English, French, or German is the language spoken at home. Students need to use those languages not just to interact with the coursework, but also to make themselves understood to their peers, something which creates a particularly rich academic environment. Students arrive speaking different languages, with different life experiences, yet all share the experience of difference, and are faced each day with the social and linguistic challenges of making themselves understood to others. While they learn languages, they also have a more authentic experience of language than students in the more typical immersion programs found in Canada. Likewise, the atmosphere is particularly conducive to the development of social competencies, including empathy and cooperation, as well as an authentic global perspective through which the core curriculum is taught. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a challenging, diverse academic and social environment.
To support language acquisition, the Grade 1 teacher joins the Kindergarten students once a day for more formal German education, introducing letters and numbers, among other things.
School's Perspective
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How Alexander von Humboldt German International School sees itself
The school administration answered our questions
Who are you, as a school?
"From pre-K through Grade 12, AvH offers multilingual (German, French and English) private, internationally recognized German general education with special focus on languages, math and sciences. AvH is the only school in Canada to offer the German International Abitur which provides students with the opportunity to fast-track straight from high school to university where they are able to study at Canadian, German or international universities."
Trilingual Learning environment
Choice of completing German Abitur for fast-track to best universities
School is situated on vast green space on the banks of the St Lawrence River
After school activities such as soccer, karate, programming, 3D-printing, badminton, tennis
High-end Biology laboratory
Annual Stratford Trip under normal circumstances
Annual School Theater Play
School Soccer & Volleyball Teams
Makerspace room with 3D-printer
School Band
What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"We offer Trilingual learning environment :
We believe in opening doors for our students and pathing the way for future success – AvH-graduates leave our school trilingual (German, English & French)
We offer excellence in the STEM-subjects :
A major focus of AvH are STEM-subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). Adhering to the German Education curriculum we build applied learning spaces and project-oriented units into our curriculum."
To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
"In a safe and close-knit environment our highly qualified and dedicated teachers provide the very highest standard of education, from Preschool right up until Grade 12. Children benefit from small classes and feel nurtured in a modern and immersive learning setting."
What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"Why German?
Germany has the biggest economy in the European Union and the fourth largest worldwide. It is home to numerous international corporations and at the forefront of technological innovation. German is the most widely spoken mother-tongue language in Europe. And just like at AvH, English, French and German are the three official working languages of the European Union."
What might families find surprising about your school?
"Multilingualism breaks down communication barriers, broadens horizons and allows us to learn about other cultures and ways of life. Numerous studies have shown that speaking multiple languages provides many advantages that go far beyond the knowledge of the languages themselves. Multilingual speakers can concentrate better, resolve conflicts easier and empathize better with others. Overall, the multilingual brain is much more flexible, even into old age."
Watch our alum interview with Annie-Laurine Sezikeye to learn about the unique experience of attending Alexander von Humboldt German International School.
School leadership
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Message from school leadership
Dr. Martin Braun, Principal
AvH is a member of a network of over 140 German schools abroad. In 2018, we were once again awarded the official “Excellent School Abroad” seal of approval by the German government. We are recognized by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec. Therefore, we can offer two degrees: the internationally respected and globally recognized German International baccalauréat (Abitur), which allows a seamless transition to university studies, as well as the Quebec Secondary School Diploma, which leads to CEGEP. Our school’s academic success is clearly reflected in the fact that our graduates go on to the world’s leading universities.
Since its founding in 1980, AvH has been educating students of German, Canadian and international origin. Our graduates acquire a wide range of skills and competencies and they master three languages: German, French and English. All this prepares them especially well for the challenges of our global world.
