Academic Performance

Guidance Learning

The music education at the school is based on guidance learning. It involves the student and teacher setting goals together regarding specific projects that take into account the competency goals in the national curriculum. Milestones are marked in the process, which can take form in projects, concerts, or exams. The teacher and student agree on how to achieve the goals through organized practice at home. Feedback is provided regularly by the teacher, peers, or parents, especially when goals have been achieved or when goals need to be revised.  Self-assessment is no less an important aspect of guided assessment and encourages the student to be an active and responsible participant in their own learning. New goals are based on guided assessment and feedback, as well as the interest of the student. Students receive a written assessment of their learning at least once a year in the spring. 

Milestones in Guidance Learning

• Informal music gathering: Student music gathering, music gathering under the guidance of another teacher, themed parent music gathering, music gathering in the form of parent/teacher meetings where the student performs for the parent, or music gathering in music class in the student’s grade school.
• Audio or video recordings: The student regularly records their performance with the help of parents, teachers, or peers. 
• Ensemble playing or new challenges: The student participates in ensemble playing or takes on new projects or subjects that are outside their comfort zone. 
• Recitals: Recitals can take place both at the school and at other locations.  Students who have received sufficient training and have the confidence to do so often perform outside of school. The school offers numerous opportunities to perform both in and outside of school. 
• Spring exams: Students take the spring exam either in late March or in May. In the exam, students perform either two pieces or one piece and a scale. It is also possible to take a performance exam, where students receive feedback for their performance of a piece at a recital. The teacher then tests the scales during a lesson. 
• Grade exams: Students often take grade exams before they undertake level exams. Students build their skills step by step, gradually learning more scales and chords while simultaneously practicing multiple pieces. Exam adjudicators are teachers at the school.  Here you can find the assessment criteria for the grade exams in Icelandic.
• Level exams: Click here for information on the level exams in Icelandic.