Learning beyond the classroom
At ibms, learning extends beyond the daily curriculum. Our extra-curricular programme enriches children’s educational experience, strengthens community, and allows individual talents to unfold in diverse and meaningful ways.
Through creative, physical, cultural and experiential activities, children discover new interests, deepen existing passions, and grow in
confidence.
Sports at ibms
Movement as an essential part of development
At ibms, we offer more than a regular curriculum — physical activity is an integral part of school life and a key element of healthy development. Through varied sports programmes and shared athletic experiences, children build strength, coordination, resilience and team spirit.
Our sports activities include:
- regular swimming classes to build confidence and water safety
- optional workshops such as soccer, running, dance and other movement-based activities
A Sports Festival Focused on Joy, Not Competition
Running, jumping, throwing and balancing: Our Sports Festival is all about the joy of movement. In true Montessori spirit, the day is not about achieving the fastest times, winning medals or competing against one another. Instead, the children experience how enjoyable physical activity can be while discovering what their bodies are capable of and embracing new challenges.
Our goal is to help children understand that movement is not about competition, but about developing healthy habits that contribute to a balanced and active lifestyle. Success is measured by each child’s own progress, not by comparison with others.
Skiing Trip
Each year, our Primary students take part in an annual week long skiing trip to Austria — a highlight of the school year that combines physical activity, independence and community building.
Under professional guidance, children learn or refine skiing skills while developing resilience, perseverance and confidence in a new environment.
Living and learning together outside the classroom strengthens friendships, encourages responsibility, and creates lasting shared memories.
Workshops at ibms
Learning Through Experience
Our optional workshops complement the regular curriculum and give children additional opportunities to pursue their interests while developing new skills. Depending on the theme, they take part in science, arts or craft projects, enjoy a wide range of sports activities, or embark on exciting outdoor adventures. Hands-on learning, experimentation and shared experiences are at the heart of every workshop.
Our three-day residential workshops take place regularly throughout the school year at the ibms Country House in Sinntal. Each child may participate in up to two workshops per school year. Surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings, the children tackle exciting challenges together, build confidence and independence, and strengthen their teamwork skills.
Class Trips to Our Country House
Building Community. Fostering Independence.
From the age of five, our children take part in an annual class trip to the ibms Country House in Sinntal. These first overnight experiences gently prepare them for the longer residential trips they will enjoy throughout their school years. Along the way, they gain valuable experiences of living and learning together, take on age-appropriate responsibilities, and develop greater independence in a safe and nurturing environment.
For many children, the class trips are among the highlights of the school year. Our Reception and Primary Class students spend three exciting days at the Country House. Together, they enjoy barbecues and hikes, explore the local forest alongside professional foresters, and visit nearby places of interest. Creative art projects, shared games and countless memorable experiences in nature make every class trip truly unforgettable, with community, independence and the joy of discovery at the heart of every adventure.
Summer Camps
Active, creative and exploratory holidays
During the school holidays, ibms offers engaging camp programmes that combine learning, movement and discovery in a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Children take part in a variety of activities such as visits to museums, themed sports camps, outdoor adventures in nature, and creative workshops.
These experiences provide continuity in a familiar environment while encouraging curiosity, friendship and active exploration beyond the regular school year.
Celebrations & Community
At ibms, celebrations and community projects are an important part of our additional activities programme. They create meaningful shared experiences, strengthen relationships, and foster a sense of belonging within the school community.
Throughout the year, children take part in seasonal celebrations, cultural events and collaborative projects that encourage creativity, responsibility and teamwork. Whether preparing performances, contributing to joint initiatives, or celebrating milestones together, students experience school not only as a place of learning, but as a vibrant and supportive community.
Celebrations
Shared traditions that strengthen belonging
At ibms, community life extends far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, we celebrate a wide range of festivals such as Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Carnival, Chinese and Persian New Year, Eid, and many more. These events bring together children, families, and educators in a joyful and welcoming atmosphere.
These gatherings reflect the warmth and active engagement of our school community, where international and local traditions are shared with openness and respect.
Milestones are celebrated with equal care. Our Graduation Celebrations honour children as they complete Children’s House or Primary, marking their achievements and growth within the community. These moments are both festive and meaningful, giving children a sense of pride and transition.
A particularly special tradition is our school sleepover, known as Reading Night. During this much-anticipated evening, children return to school after hours with sleeping bags and favourite books. Together with their teachers, they read, listen to stories, share quiet conversations and experience the school in a different, magical way.
Reading Night strengthens class bonds, nurtures a love of literature and creates lasting shared memories.
Through these celebrations and community experiences, ibms becomes more than a place of learning — it becomes a place of connection and belonging.
Community engagement
Social engagement is an integral part of everyday school life at ibms. As a school community, we take responsibility and actively support people who need assistance.
Through projects such as “Christmas in a Shoebox,” “Support for Children with Cancer,” and “Help for Ukraine,” we have made meaningful contributions together in recent years.
A particularly heartfelt initiative is our ibms KINDness Shop. Several times a year, on various occasions, we collect food donations for people affected by poverty in Frankfurt and the surrounding area and pass them on to local aid organisations.
In the spirit of Maria Montessori’s peace education, we actively involve our students, as compassion, responsibility, and kindness are not only taught at ibms — they are lived every day.
Sign language
At ibms, language is about much more than spoken words. That is why we introduce our children to sign language from an early age. It enables them to communicate long before they are able to speak, express their needs, feelings, and thoughts, and connect with those around them.
Especially in the Nido, where many children are not yet using spoken language, sign language is an invaluable means of communication. It gives children a voice, encourages mutual understanding, and helps reduce frustration. At the same time, signing supports natural language development. Rather than replacing spoken language, it complements and enriches it.
This approach reflects the principles of Montessori education. Maria Montessori viewed every child as a capable individual with a natural desire and ability to engage with the world. By offering children different ways to communicate, we embrace her guiding principle: “Help me do it myself.” We create a prepared environment in which every child is understood according to their individual stage of development and encouraged to express themselves with confidence.
Sign language also fosters a culture of inclusion, respect, and belonging. It supports communication between children with different language abilities and reminds us that every person deserves to be heard and understood, regardless of age, language, or individual needs. At ibms, sign language is therefore a natural part of everyday life, promoting participation, mutual understanding, and a caring, respectful community.
Afternoon Activities
At ibms, we aim to make family life a little easier by offering a variety of extracurricular activities directly on our campus. This allows children to explore their interests, develop new skills and enjoy enriching experiences without the need to travel to additional locations after school.
Depending on demand, our fee-based extracurricular programme includes activities such as such as choir, instrumental music lessons, basketball, hip-hop dance and football. Our programme is reviewed regularly and may vary from year to year to reflect the interests of our children and families.
By bringing these activities together in one familiar environment, children can continue their day in a relaxed atmosphere while discovering new talents, building confidence and, most importantly, having fun.
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