The differences between `Marvin Ridge High School` and `Gymnasium am Moltkeplatz`

The most obvious differences between Marvin Ridge High School (MRHS) and Gymnasium am Moltkeplatz (Moltke) can be found in the dimensions and the school organisation.

MRHS has 1500 students in just four grades and Moltke has just about 800 students in nine grades. Moltke is a very old school. It was founded in 1819 and MRHS is really new and modern. It was founded in 2007. At Marvin Ridge High School, every teacher has his or her own room, and the students have to change rooms after each period. In contrast, German students AND teachers have to change the rooms.

MRHS has a very strict organisation. There are four principals. Moltke has just two principals.

Another difference is the safety at the American school. You can find many safety arrangements there. The Americans are very careful. You are not allowed to be at the hallway during classes. If you need to go to the restrooms you need a special ID card. The doors of the classrooms are always locked. Also, there always is an officer in the school.

In Germany there are not many safety arrangements. You can stay at the hallway, the doors are never locked and you do not need an ID card for going to the restrooms.

There are many other differences between these schools to be mentioned. For example, the subjects you can choose. In Germany you can choose your subjects in 7^th, 9^th, 11^th and 12^th grade. Moltke teaches 20 different subjects. At MRHS you can choose your subjects every half year. MRHS offers about 40 different subjects, for example “theatre”, “weight lifting” and “agriculture science”.

At Moltke you have about ten different subjects throughout a week. Each day of the week you have different subjects and a different number of periods. One period takes 45 minutes and usually you have six or seven periods a day. There is a five minutes break after every period and three longer breaks which take 20 minutes after the 2^nd, 5^th and 7^th period.

At MRHS you just have four periods a day covering four different subjects. Each day runs equally for half a year. One period takes 90 minutes and there are five minutes breaks after each period. Also, there is lunchtime in the 3^rd period which takes 25 minutes.

[Lisa Kreikenbaum / Fabian Rixen-Radermacher]