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Knowledge
Our ambition is for Raoul Wallenberg Schools to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and a successful, harmonious life for our children and students—both professionally and personally. In preschool, we provide children with a quality education where care, nurturing, and learning are integrated into a cohesive whole. In primary school, we offer students a strong education that combines academic growth with support for character development. Our work is guided by the curriculums and syllabuses for preschools and primary schools, RWS’s core values, methods, and approaches, as well as local conditions.
We focus on each student’s unique abilities and needs, with the goal of helping every child and student reach their full potential. Those who need additional support receive it, and those who require greater challenges are given the opportunity to excel.
Speaking, reading, and writing
Being able to speak, read, and write proficiently is the foundation for reaching the pinnacle of knowledge. Our tailored language and literacy development plan guides us step by step in strengthening children’s and students’ language and reading skills from preschool to grade 9. It includes clear milestones along the way. We start early with younger children in preschool using programs like Babblarna, and for older children, we use the Bornholm Model. Approximately 10% of children master basic reading skills while still in preschool.
At the beginning of preparatory class (förskoleklass), we assess the children’s language skills. Nearly all children from our preschools have already made significant progress in their language development. In lower primary school, we continue the climb by automating reading and improving comprehension. Reading and writing are evaluated three times each school year, with every student challenged according to their individual potential. By the end of grade 1, nearly all students should have cracked the reading code. In grade 3, every student should achieve a passing grade in the national exam.
In middle primary school, the climb continues as students are challenged with reading and writing in different text genres, while also improving reading speed. Corporate-wide tests are conducted at the end of each term, and every student is expected to pass the national exam in grade 6.
In lower secondary school, we advance further, challenging students to develop their language skills in preparation for upper secondary and post-secondary education. Every student is expected to achieve a passing grade in the national exam in grade 9.
Language
Raoul Wallenberg was a global citizen and a strong role model with a keen curiosity about the world around him. At just twelve years old, he embarked on his first language trip, eventually mastering several languages. Strong language skills are among the most important tools in life, forming the foundation for all learning. Without a robust command of language, understanding complex subjects can become challenging, which impacts academic performance as well as self-confidence. For this reason, we continuously work to develop students’ language abilities. In the early years, the focus is on the Swedish language. By the time children leave preschool, they should have a vocabulary of at least 5,000 words. With each school year, students continue to expand their vocabulary. By grade 9, they should possess a vocabulary rich enough to succeed in further studies at higher educational levels. Every student is expected to pass the national exams in grades 3, 6, and 9.
English is introduced in grade 1 as part of students’ language development, and they progress in their English skills year by year. By grades 6 and 9, every student is expected to pass the national exams in English. In grade 6, an additional language—Spanish, French, or German—is added to their linguistic journey. The focus of teaching is on developing students’ communicative abilities in the language. Mastering English and another foreign language opens doors to other cultures, international relationships, and potentially working abroad in the future.
When our students leave us, we want them to carry strong language skills that inspire them to venture out into the world with confidence.
Mathematics
Strong mathematical skills are another key foundation for reaching the pinnacle of knowledge and developing the essential confidence in mathematics. Our tailored mathematics development plan guides students from their early years in preschool all the way to grade 9. The plan includes practical applications and clear milestones along the way. From preschool through grade 9, our students engage with hands-on mathematics and math experiments using well-designed materials. Practical mathematics plays an important role in making the subject tangible, relevant, and enjoyable. Through hands-on activities, students develop critical thinking skills, collaboration abilities, and strategies for solving real-world challenges. We use both analog and digital learning tools.
Starting in grade 1, all classroom teachers use “exit tickets” on a weekly basis to assess what students have learned during the week, enabling them to plan upcoming lessons based on the results. Regular follow-ups are a central part of our math instruction. In preschool, we document children’s exploration of mathematical concepts in everyday life, and student progress is assessed three times per school year. By grade 3, every student is expected to achieve a passing grade on the national exam. In grade 4, we introduce a screening test to evaluate students’ knowledge, and corporate-wide tests are conducted every term. By grade 6, all students should pass the national exam. In lower secondary school, we begin grade 7 with a screening test to identify students’ strengths and areas for growth. Corporate-wide tests are conducted regularly, and by grade 9, every student is expected to achieve a passing grade on the national exam.
Science
Science provides us with the tools to understand how the world works, from the smallest particles to the vastness of the universe. Through knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology, and other natural sciences, we can explain natural phenomena and their impact on us. In preschool, we lay the foundation for children’s understanding of scientific phenomena. This is part of our daily activities, much of which takes place outdoors, naturally encouraging exploration, observation, and analysis of our surroundings
In lower primary school, we adopt a systematic and exploratory approach to biology, physics, and chemistry. Students investigate the local environment, learning about how plants and animals live and interact. The life cycles of animals are a key focus. They also explore the properties of various substances through mixtures and solutions, and study physical phenomena such as gravity, friction, and electricity. In middle primary school, students deepen their understanding of life cycles by growing a plant—from seed to maturity, eventually producing seeds to plant again. They conduct experiments with chemical reactions, enhancing their grasp of matter and its atomic and molecular structure. Self-constructed vehicles help students explore how different surfaces and energy forms affect functionality. Questions such as what happens inside a light bulb when it’s turned on and how electricity powers our homes are also explored. Photosynthesis takes center stage, starting with its overall importance for humans and nature in grade 7, shifting to a focus on chemistry in grade 8, and concluding with an interdisciplinary discussion from a sustainability perspective in grade 9.
Social studies
Climbing the mountain of knowledge in social studies is not a quick journey—it requires patience and dedication. But the reward at the summit is immense. From there, we can see the bigger picture: how our individual choices impact society and how society, in turn, shapes us. Perhaps most importantly, we realize that the mountain has no ultimate peak. There are always new heights to reach, new perspectives to explore, and new questions to answer. In preschool, we work closely with families to explore home culture, including language, traditions, food, and other everyday cultural elements.
Through projects focused on children’s home cultures, we highlight and strengthen each child’s identity while showcasing the diversity of family traditions. In lower primary school, students begin to familiarize themselves with fundamental concepts such as society, democracy, and rights. They learn about decision-making processes through activities like class councils and student councils. In middle primary school, subjects start to take shape, and students learn how to acquire knowledge, use concepts, and gather facts. They begin exploring opinions, practicing reasoning, and understanding societal structures, democracy, and the importance of laws. As we climb higher in lower secondary school, the focus shifts from understanding democracy to analyzing different systems of governance, examining power dynamics, and considering how justice can be achieved. Students are encouraged to view issues from multiple perspectives, enhancing their ability to evaluate and argue effectively. By the end of primary education, the questions become more complex and globally oriented: How should we address global challenges like the climate crisis, migration, and conflicts? How is our identity shaped in a society where traditions and changes constantly collide and evolve? What are the key foundations for preserving the society we live in? Here, knowledge is not enough. Students also need the ability to think critically, reflect deeply, and question boldly.
Sports
At RWS, we have shared health goals spanning from preschool to grade 9. Our overarching aim is for all children and students to meet the daily recommendation for physical activity, fostering a lifelong passion for sports and an active lifestyle. By instilling confidence in their abilities at an early preschool age and encouraging them to try new things, children and students in primary school begin taking greater responsibility for themselves, developing self-leadership skills that help them tackle life’s challenges in the best possible way.
Each preschool and primary school has its own health policy, guiding us in the climb toward the top—from playful exploration in preschool and the early years of primary school to a more analytical and independent approach in lower secondary school. Children and students not only develop their physical abilities but also gain an understanding of health and personal responsibility for well-being, preparing them for a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle. In lower primary school, the basics are introduced through games, obstacle courses, and activities that promote balance, coordination, and teamwork. Students explore movement in both indoor and outdoor environments. In middle primary school, they encounter more technically advanced activities that challenge their motor skills at a higher level. By lower secondary school, students are exposed to a broad range of movement practices. Their body awareness is developed to the extent that they can better control, adapt, and regulate their movements in complex settings across various environments. Knowledge of movement and health is also placed in a broader context, helping students understand its importance in their lives.