Alexander von Humboldt German International School

The Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal is a multilingual–German, French and English—private, co-educational school serving students from preschool to grade 12. At AvH, our mission begins with a commitment to diversity. We strive to educate students with a view to tolerance, respect for others and learning and acting on their own authority. Our challenging program adheres to both German and Quebec curricular requirements.

AvH is a member of a network of over 140 German schools abroad. In 2012, we were 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.

Multilingualism is desirable for many reasons. It 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.

In Mini-K, Preschool and Kindergarten, your child will receive a positive foundation for a lifelong love of learning. The environment is supportive and nurturing, always prioritizing your child’s needs and interests. The children at AvH come from many different cultures and backgrounds. Through stories, songs and games, the children learn to understand and express themselves in the German language. Over half of our students come from families where little or no German is spoken at home, and parents are often surprised how soon their children bring songs and little poems home from school. On a weekly basis, children also receive an introduction to the French language through stories and songs.

The elementary school at AvH is small and welcoming. The main language of instruction is German, though both English and French are prominent from grade 1 on. The class size provides ideal conditions for personal development and encouragement of the individual child. A strong sense of community imparts a sense of security and fosters the love of learning.

Many of our international and Canadian students do not have a German-speaking background. The students learn the language in preschool and kindergarten through play and they are proud to show off their new capabilities in writing, reading and speaking. All of our teachers speak English and French and are pragmatic about language switching whenever something is not quite clear.

As students transition from elementary school to high school, they are welcomed into a new world of challenging academic instruction. In addition to languages, AvH students receive intensive instruction in math and sciences (physics, chemistry, biology). The school follows in majority the education guidelines of Thuringia, a province in Germany that has one of the highest education standards. Additionally, the curriculum also meets all the requirements of the Quebec Ministry of Education.