Bonn International School vs International School of Düsseldorf

	B Bonn International School Dusseldorf, Germany	I International School of Düsseldorf Dusseldorf, Germany
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €12,763 - 23,088	Fees / year €19,100 - 21,570
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 950
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1997	Opened 1968
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Martin-Luther-King Straße 14, D-53175 Bonn, Germany. The BIS campus is modern, spacious and well equipped, with an excellent IT infrastructure, a Media Centre Library, tournament sports halls, design rooms and labs. The school serves students aged 3–18 from the Bonn region and international communities.	Location ISD is located in the heart of Düsseldorf, Germany. The main campus is Niederrheinstrasse 336, 40489 Düsseldorf, Germany. It is a K-12 IB flagship school in the heart of Düsseldorf.
Stages	Stages Early Learning (ages 3-6); Primary Years (ages 6-11); Middle Years (ages 11-16); Diploma Years (ages 16-18).	Stages Kindergarten / Early Years Programme; Elementary School; Senior School (Middle Years Programme; Diploma Programme). ISD provides a full IB programme from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
School type	School type The school is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.	School type IB World School
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 800 students from 80 countries; 80 nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The Learning Support Programme empowers students with diverse educational needs to become confident, independent learners. It includes English language support (EAL) for students joining BIS who do not speak English; a team of trained staff provides in-class and pull-out support as needed; additional fees may apply depending on the plan.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Germany	Country affiliation Germany
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure The official school day begins at 8:20 for all grade levels and ends between 15:15 and 15:30 depending on the grade level. After-school care on campus is available until 18:00, and co-curricular activities run onsite until 19:30.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Admission / Application Fees - A one-time Admission Fee applies on acceptance of a place. - Admissions to Early Learning 3, 4 and 5: EUR 2,250. - Admissions to Grade 1 and higher: EUR 4,500. - Admission Fee for each additional child from the same family: EUR 2,250 (one-time). Tuition fees — annual, per-term (approx.), and per-month (approx.) by year group - Annual tuition (shown first) followed by the approximate per-term amount (annual ÷ 3) and approximate per-month amount (annual ÷ 12): - Early Learning 3 (age 3) - Annual: EUR 12,763. - Approx. per term: EUR 4,254.33. - Approx. per month: EUR 1,063.58. - Early Learning 4 (age 4) - Annual: EUR 12,194. - Approx. per term: EUR 4,064.67. - Approx. per month: EUR 1,016.17. - Early Learning 5 (age 5) - Annual: EUR 17,227. - Approx. per term: EUR 5,742.33. - Approx. per month: EUR 1,435.58. - Grades 1–5 (ages 6–11) - Annual: EUR 19,624. - Approx. per term: EUR 6,541.33. - Approx. per month: EUR 1,635.33. - Grades 6–10 (ages 12–16) - Annual: EUR 22,170. - Approx. per term: EUR 7,390.00. - Approx. per month: EUR 1,847.50. - Grades 11–12 (ages 16–18) - Annual: EUR 23,088. - Approx. per term: EUR 7,696.00. - Approx. per month: EUR 1,924.00. Learning support and additional mandatory fees - Additional annual Learning Support Fees apply where a student is placed into the school's Learning Support Programme after assessment: - Tier 0: no additional fee. - Tier 1: EUR 4,000 per year. - Tier 2: EUR 8,000 per year. - Tier 3: EUR 12,000 per year. What is included in the published tuition - The published tuition includes: school day trips, provision of iPads for Early Learning through Grade 7, university and careers advisory, counselling services, English language development, access to science, design and Apple computer labs, books, instruments and core learning materials, and the Co-Curricular Programme. Other costs and optional fees - After-school care (KidzKlub) is available on campus and is charged separately. - Optional activities outside normal school provision (for example some camps, seasonal trips or externally arranged activities) and any specific material or travel costs connected with certain optional programmes may incur additional charges; standard included items are listed above. Boarding - Boarding is not offered. Students attending the school must live with their parents or guardians while enrolled. No boarding fees apply. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoicing is issued after the admission is confirmed. Payment may be made in one of the following ways: - In full (single payment). - Quarterly or monthly instalments drawn from a German bank account. - In full by a third party payer (company, sponsor). - The school can make bespoke arrangements for invoicing or instalments in consultation with the Accounting Office. Bank details and payment methods - Bank transfer capability is provided; the school's account details are given for transfers (Commerzbank; IBAN: DE15 380400070386444400; SWIFT-BIC: COBADEFFXXX). Payments from German bank accounts are supported for instalments. - The school accepts third-party full payment and supports quarterly or monthly payment plans from a German bank account; specific acceptance of credit cards is not published in the main fee documents available. Refunds and withdrawal (summary of published position) - The publicly published fee schedule provides the Admission Fee and the Annual Tuition levels and notes invoicing and instalment options; a detailed, itemised public refund schedule (for example precise refund percentages by withdrawal date or term-specific invoice due dates) is not published in the main fee sheet. For cases requiring financial assistance, a Financial Assistance Programme with eligibility guidelines exists. Summary of key practical points for parents - One-time Admission Fee on acceptance: EUR 2,250 (EL3–EL5) or EUR 4,500 (Grade 1+); siblings EUR 2,250. - Annual tuition by year-group is listed above; approximate per-term and per-month figures are shown for quick budgeting (annual ÷ 3 or ÷ 12). - Learning Support Fees are charged separately according to tier if placement in the programme is required. - Invoicing occurs after admission; payments may be made in full, by quarterly or monthly instalments from a German bank account, or in full by a third party; bank transfer details are provided for payments. Note on items not publicly specified in the published fee brief - The published fee documents specify admission fees, annual tuition levels and learning support tiers and list what is included in tuition. A detailed public schedule showing exact invoice due dates, a term-by-term official invoice calendar, explicit credit-card acceptance options and a step-by-step refund/withdrawal schedule with refund percentages by withdrawal date are not included in the publicly available fee brief. Fees for specific optional services (exact KidzKlub rates, optional residential trip charges or other one-off charges) are not published in the single-page fee summary and are handled as separate charges. For those specific items and precise payment deadlines, the school's Accounting/Admissions team provides the operational invoice and terms at admission.	Fee details Application fees - A one-time, non-refundable Admission Fee (Admission Contribution) of €6,500 is required on confirmation of a place. - A non-refundable application/enrolment processing fee of €100 will be charged during the enrolment process starting 1 August 2025. Tuition fees (annual) by year group - Pre-school (3yo, Reception, Prep): €20,320 per year. - Grades 1–2: €20,320 per year. - Grades 3–5: €21,130 per year. - Grades 6–8: €22,740 per year. - Grade 9: €24,270 per year. - Grade 10 (includes MYP e-Assessment): €24,610 per year. - Grade 11: €27,010 per year. - Grade 12 (includes a graduation contribution): €27,450 per year. Note on per-term charging and pro‑rata adjustments - Tuition figures above are stated as annual contributions. Tuition is adjusted pro rata for students who begin or leave during the school year according to the school's published arrival and departure percentages. For students arriving after the start of the year, the contribution percentages by month apply (August and September 100%; October 95%; November 85%; December 75%; January 65%; February 55%; March 45%; April 35%; May 25%; June 15%). For students leaving during the school year, legally effective termination with three full months' notice produces reimbursements of 50% if termination is effective 31 December, 20% if effective 31 March, and 0% if effective 30 June. Because the school issues annual contributions and applies pro‑rata rules for mid‑year moves, separate published per‑term fee figures are not provided. Billing schedule and payment terms - The ISD financial year runs from 1 August to 31 July. Annual contributions are invoiced and must be paid no later than 30 days after receipt of the invoice. The Admission Contribution becomes due on issuance of its invoice and the student's start date can only be set after that payment has been received. Students who arrive or leave during the course of the school year will have tuition adjusted in accordance with the contract and pro‑rata schedule. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. ISD operates as a not‑for‑profit, independent, co‑educational day school; there are no boarding fees. Other costs and optional fees - After‑school activities and private programmes: Costs vary by activity and tutor (extra‑curricular activities, arts festivals, competitive sports team fees, private music lessons). - After‑school care (Cub Club): charged per day; the listed 2024–25 rate is €15 per day. - Cafeteria lunches: subsidised hot lunches are available; 2024–25 sample prices were €4.17 (Reception–Grade 2), €5.56 (Grades 3–5), and €5.95 (Grades 6–12). - Summer camps: typical five‑day camps in recent years cost around €250. - Mother‑tongue courses, private music lessons and certain trips/festival attendance are additional and priced individually. Refund information - The Admission Fee (Admission Contribution) is one‑time and non‑refundable. Annual tuition reimbursements for students who leave during the school year follow the published schedule: 50% reimbursement if termination is effective 31 December, 20% if effective 31 March, and 0% if effective 30 June (termination requires three full months' notice). Tuition for students who join after the academic year starts is charged on a pro‑rata basis according to the monthly percentage scale. Fee payment options - The school accepts payment by bank transfer to the ISD accounts specified on invoices; the official contribution schedule provides the bank names, IBAN and SWIFT/BIC details to be used for euro transfers. Payments are required in EUR unless otherwise stated on the invoice. Families must follow the invoice details when making payments. Brief summary of findings and limitation - The school publishes annual tuition by grade and a one‑time Admission Fee; it invoices annual contributions and applies pro‑rata rules for mid‑year arrivals and departures. The school's published materials do not provide a separate official per‑term fee table; per‑term amounts are therefore not directly published and would be calculated from the annual contribution or determined by the school's invoice schedule.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform for Physical Education is worn by students in Grades 1–10: a green BIS logo t-shirt and blue shorts. The clothing is ordered online from Flockinger, with a complete set costing between €26 and €38. Traveling Sports Teams may require a co-curricular tracksuit jacket.	Uniform requirement The school has no uniform requirement. A dress code applies to all students. For sports, ISD teams wear the ISD sports uniform, which can be purchased from the ISD Store.
Food options	Food options Primary students may pre-order meals from our onsite caterer or bring food from home; Secondary students may pre-order, buy lunch on the day, or bring their own. Weekly menus include vegetarian options, allergens and additives are indicated on menus, and meals cost €5.95 and include a dessert.	Food options Subsidised hot lunches are available in the elementary and senior school cafeterias via the lunch card system. Fresh vegetables, side salads, and fresh fruit accompany meals, with a full vegetarian option each day. Packed lunches are welcome, and the senior school cafe offers sandwiches, panini, fruit salads, and other snacks; purchases are made with the lunch card.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Bonn International School is a registered non-profit association supervised by a Board of Trustees.	Governance and ownership The ISD Board of Trustees governs the school. The Board consists of seven elected members, up to three appointed members, and up to three ex-officio members, with ex-officio including the school director and a representative from the US Consulate General in Düsseldorf.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: Middle Years Programme (11–16 years) and Diploma Programme (Diploma Years, 16–19 years).	Curriculum details The school has a full IB Continuum curriculum, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Elementary School, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in the Senior School, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in the Senior School. The PYP covers eight years of schooling from age 4 to 11 and is inquiry-based. The MYP includes eight core subjects, life-skills classes, and interdisciplinary electives; in Grade 10 students complete a Personal Project and participate in Service as Action. The DP comprises six subject groups (Studies in Language and Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals and Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; and the Arts) plus the Diploma Programme Core (Theory of Knowledge; Extended Essay; Creativity, Activity, Service). ISD offers about 54 DP courses and more than 90% of students in Grades 11–12 are enrolled in the Diploma Programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Average class size: 18 students.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results Average graduation points: 35 out of 45; graduates access universities of their choice.	Exam results Diploma Programme results (2025) show strong performance: 44/45 is the maximum score achieved; 22% of DP students earned 40+ points; the average score across DP students was 35 (world average 30.6); 57% scored more than 35; 43% of diplomas awarded were bilingual; more than 90% of students in Grades 11–12 are enrolled in the Diploma Programme.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates access universities of their choice.	Higher education progression Graduates are admitted to top universities worldwide, with Class of 2025 offers across diverse majors at institutions in Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and more; ISD notes admissions to universities in the QS World University Rankings top 200, Times Higher Education world rankings, and Russell Group universities. More than 90% of students in Grades 11–12 are enrolled in the Diploma Programme, and ISD provides counselling to support university admissions.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school believes students thrive best in a safe, supportive, and valued environment. BIS has a comprehensive programme to address the social and emotional needs of our students. Two Counselors in our Primary School and two in our Secondary School focus on four major components: individual student plans; wellbeing in classroom learning and curriculum; addressing immediate concerns; connecting to resources. Individual student plans support whole-child development and strongly value student voice. In collaboration, our team works to support students' social-emotional development, to enhance overall wellbeing and academic readiness. School Counselors coordinate ongoing meetings and activities to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.	Social & emotional learning ISD provides support for physical, emotional, and social wellbeing for students, parents, and staff. A team of school counsellors offers comprehensive support at all grade levels. Life Skills for grades 6-10 deliver a flexible, experiential curriculum focused on adolescents' social, emotional, and personal growth. Pastoral Care includes counselling in the Elementary and Senior Schools to promote educational, emotional, and social welfare and to support transitions and social skills. SMART Moves Ambassadors help new students integrate socially, and transition mentoring provides one-on-one support for newcomers.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The Learning Support Programme empowers students with diverse educational needs to become confident, independent learners. Our Learning Support team embraces inclusion and fosters compassion for all. BIS provides a wide spectrum of learning support to eligible students, including those with mild, moderate or intensive needs, within a school-wide intervention system. Admission to the Learning Support Programme is dependent upon balanced classes and the availability of resources. To determine the proper level of educational support, parents provide a psycho-educational evaluation, and the learning plan is tailored to the results. The learning plan may include small-group instruction, in-class support and/or one-to-one instruction.	Special educational needs (SEN) ISD guides and encourages students to meet their potential while acknowledging and addressing learning differences. Targeted support is provided and strategies are taught to transfer learning across classroom settings. An individualised education plan (IEP), containing learning goals broken down into learning outcomes, is developed for each student. A referral process yields a full psycho-educational assessment with recommendations for specific accommodations and modifications. ISD regularly collaborates with students, parents, teachers, and other professionals to design the best possible support plan. The program includes activities to develop memory, organisation, and study skills, health and well-being, and literacy and numeracy.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English Language Acquisition (EAL) supports students who are not proficient in English. Primary EAL classes cover beginner to intermediate levels and are scheduled during homeroom language time, with emphasis on communicative, task-based activities. EAL in-class support helps students gain language skills and confidence, and teachers monitor progress in consultation with the homeroom teacher. The Secondary School offers an EAL Programme for Grades 6-12, with an English-language pathway from MYP Language Acquisition to DP Language Acquisition. A foundational class may be added for students entering with minimal English, and a language needs assessment is conducted on entry. English is the language of instruction.	English as an additional language The English as an Additional Language (EAL) team supports students whose first language is not English to acquire the linguistic competence needed to succeed in mainstream classes. EAL is delivered in an authentic, comprehensible environment that is challenging. The curriculum recognises diverse backgrounds and provides a progressive course focusing on the structures and functions of language with emphasis on communication. Students are assessed on participation, oral work, and teacher observation. Students can exit the programme when fluency and accuracy reach the required standard to succeed in the mainstream classroom. Students are encouraged to access their mother tongue to support content while learning.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing We believe that students thrive academically and personally in a safe, supported environment. BIS has a comprehensive programme to address social and emotional needs. Two Counselors in Primary School and two in Secondary School focus on four components: individual student plans; wellbeing in classroom learning and curriculum; addressing immediate concerns; and connecting to resources. Counselors collaborate with students to set personal goals and develop future plans, and they coordinate ongoing meetings and activities to support growth. They also lead developmentally appropriate guidance lessons woven throughout the curriculum and liaise with families and external services when needed.	Mental wellbeing ISD provides levels of support focusing on physical, emotional, and social wellbeing for students, parents, and staff. A team of school counsellors offers comprehensive support at all grade levels. Life Skills for grades 6-10 focus on wellbeing, including mental, social, emotional and physical health. The Counselling Department mission is to develop each student's academic, social, and emotional competencies through a developmentally appropriate counselling and Life Skills curriculum. Pastoral Care includes elementary counselling to promote welfare and transitions, and senior-school counselling to address life events and other concerns.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The safety, wellbeing, and dignity of every child are paramount. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and staff, students, parents, and visitors act with vigilance, care and integrity. BIS safeguards through a framework including the BIS Child Protection Policy and BIS Child Protection Procedures, Safe Touch Policy, Intimate Care and Toileting Policy, Whistleblower Policy, and Code of Conduct for all adults. All staff participate in annual safeguarding training, and BIS maintains a closed campus with a dedicated security team. BIS safeguarding leads are trained and ready to respond to concerns.	Safeguarding ISD is committed to safeguarding and providing a safe, welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. ISD Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are established in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and local German law. Child protection work is informed by the International Task Force on Child Protection, a branch of the Council of International Schools. ISD has appointed a Safeguarding Lead and two Safeguarding Coordinators to promote the education and training of staff as related to child protection under German school law and to ensure that all suspicions of abuse are promptly reported and appropriately responded to.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school has a generous campus in a green Bonn suburb. The Waves building houses most Primary School classrooms, the 40,000-volume Media Centre, science laboratories, and Design and Product workshops, with a cafeteria at the heart of Waves. The Agora and Crest buildings serve Secondary students with modern classrooms, music rooms, art studios, a kiln, a Learning Support Suite, a competitive sports facility, exam rooms and a senior lounge. The campus measures 32,470 square meters, providing about 46 square meters per student to learn, play and rest. More than 20% of electricity is generated by solar panels, and the school sits next to Bonn's largest park with the Rhine nearby and the Seven Hills across the river. Most BIS students live within a three kilometer radius, and facilities stay open until 21:00 to support after-school sports, with hot lunches prepared on-site.	Facilities overview ISD's 10-acre campus houses senior school and elementary buildings, multiple purpose-built playgrounds, and a strong outdoor learning programme that has transformed green spaces into learning gardens. The senior school Sports and Community Centre contains modern practice courts for basketball and volleyball and two competition-size basketball courts with spectator seating. The campus also features three libraries, seven science laboratories, five computer rooms, a design technology room, centres of excellence for visual and performing arts, a 350-seat theatre, and three cafeterias. The ISD sports fields are nearby and host national and international teams.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school has two competition-sized sports halls for volleyball, basketball, floorball and dance. Large playing fields next to the campus are used by football and cricket teams and for sports days and events. These facilities support after-school and extracurricular sports activities through BIS.	Sports facilities ISD offers a comprehensive sports programme and participates in NECIS competitions, including soccer, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, swimming, and track and field for middle and high school students. The Senior School Sports and Community Centre has modern practice courts for basketball or volleyball and two competition-size basketball courts. The ISD Sportsverein (Sports Club) provides competitive opportunities across football, basketball, volleyball, swimming and track and field. After-school activities and nearby ISD sports fields support a broad athletic program.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The Waves building is the heart of our Primary School, containing most classrooms for Early Learning to Grade 5, a 40,000-volume Media Centre, science laboratories, and Design and Product workshops; the cafeteria is located at the center of Waves. The Crest building is home to Secondary Maths, Sciences, Languages and our Learning Support Suite, and includes a senior lounge and exam rooms. The Agora building houses specialist music and arts spaces and classrooms for Humanities and English. An extensive IT infrastructure supports our technology and research curriculum, and five science laboratories serve Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Age-appropriate playgrounds provide space to learn and play.	Academic facilities Three libraries, seven science laboratories, five computer rooms, a well-equipped design technology room, and centres of excellence for the visual and performing arts. The campus also includes a 350-seat theatre.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Co-Curricular Programme offers a breadth of options spanning arts, sports, languages and political debating clubs; students participate in activities during lunchtime, before and after school as well as during school holidays. The Activities Catalogue outlines available activities, and some carry fees. Competitive sports teams travel to play with other international schools as part of BIS activities.	Extra curricular facilities ISD offers more than 90 co-curricular options, including robotics, coding, and chess; ceramics, digital art, jewellery making, and ukulele; and Mother Tongue Programme in Dutch, Farsi, Finnish, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Martial arts, dance, and gymnastics are available. Cub Club provides after-school care for elementary students from 15:45 to 18:00, with full-day and half-day care on select non-student days.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Formed in August 1997 through the merger of the American Elementary School, American High School, and British High School, Bonn International School opened with about 300 students. The school has grown to around 800 students. The City of Bonn launched Bonn 2.0 to position Bonn as a center for international business, research and science after the German capital moved to Berlin in 1991, creating the need for an international school for UN families and others in the region. BIS has been an International Baccalaureate World School for more than 25 years, offering the IB Diploma Programme since 1997, the IB Middle Years Programme since 1999, and the IB Primary Years Programme since 2001. The school chose the IB framework from the start and would do so again. The campus was originally divided across three locations; BIS opened three new buildings on a single riverside campus: Waves in January 2006, the Agora in August 2012, and the Crest in January 2017.	History Founded in 1968, the International School of Düsseldorf is a not-for-profit, independent, co-educational day school located in the heart of the international community of Kaiserswerth. ISD has a proud tradition of providing an innovative, holistic education that encourages all students to be successful and responsible in a rapidly evolving world. Student well-being is the foundation for success at school and beyond. Our exceptional faculty work collaboratively to provide a challenging and supportive environment where all students are encouraged to discover their passions and develop their talents. We work in partnership with parents recognising the important role that families play in the education of their children, with the goal of inspiring all students to become confident, creative and compassionate lifelong learners in an inclusive international community.
Community	Community The BIS community brings together students, parents and staff as a single BIS family. The campus is open to parents before and after school, providing opportunities to connect, attend workshops and participate in sports. Our Parent Volunteers enrich campus life as Welcome Family Programme participants, room parents and event coordinators; they also support the Media Centre and trips, and the BIS Board of Trustees is composed of parent volunteers who guide BIS' strategic development. Parent Volunteers run workshops for families and organize English and German language support for new arrivals. BIS Sportverein offers badminton, basketball, fitness and yoga for parents, and running, walking and hiking groups. The school hosts an annual Welcome BBQ in September and International Day in June, along with celebrations such as Halloween, St. Martin's, Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival, plus occasional parent/staff events like discos or a gala.	Community ISD fosters a welcoming, supportive community for expatriate families and staff, helping members feel at home and connected. Community events are planned by students, staff, and many parent volunteers and reflect the diversity and multiculturalism of the ISD community. International Markets are a popular monthly event where parents and partners display and sell food and items reflecting their talents and cultural heritage. The International Fest is ISD's largest community gathering since 1980, with more than 25 booths, an international village, stage performances, and a Parade of Nations.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parent Volunteers are a key BIS community group who voluntarily give time and energy to BIS. They enrich campus life as Welcome Family Programme participants, room parents, event coordinators and by volunteering in classrooms, trips, on the Media Centre and with co-curricular activities; the BIS Board of Trustees is formed from parent volunteers and guides BIS' strategic development. They run English language workshops for parents and organize German lessons for new arrivals. The BIS Sportverein runs badminton, basketball, fitness and yoga for parents and organizes running, walking or hiking groups. They host events for families including the annual Welcome BBQ in September and International Day in June, as well as seasonal celebrations like Halloween, St. Martin's, Chinese New Year, and the Spring Festival. They also host at least one parent/staff event each year such as a disco night or dress-up gala.	Parent teacher association The ISD Annual Fund provides additional financial support to the school. It is supported by parent volunteers and the Philanthropy & Fundraising Committee. Funds support a wide variety of projects and initiatives, enabling the school to do more. Friends of the Arts is a parent volunteer group that helps bring ISD's creative productions to life, including designing costumes, building sets, managing front-of-house, and supporting event logistics. Volunteers contribute to campus events and activities through various volunteer programmes.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers Model United Nations as a flagship activity, developing leadership, debate and negotiation skills. The programme includes political debating clubs.	Academic & intellectual ISD offers a rich and varied co-curricular programme designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, and instil a lifelong love of learning. STEM-focused clubs include robotics, coding, and chess to develop problem-solving and critical thinking. A broad range of activities beyond sports and the arts supports transferable skills such as collaboration, resilience, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. There are over 90 options to choose from.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Theatre and musical performances are part of the programme; All students in Grades 6-8 learn a band instrument and perform in two concerts a year.	Arts & creative ISD offers extensive arts and creative opportunities, including ceramics, digital art, jewellery making, and ukulele. The Performing Arts and Theatre programme lets students explore acting, movement, voice, and production, with collaborative, hands-on learning and opportunities for public performances. The Sound & Lights Programme trains students in lighting design, live sound, and stage management and is supported by Friends of the Arts volunteers who contribute to costumes, sets, and event logistics.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The programme spans languages to political debating clubs.	Cultural & language Mother Tongue Programme supports native-language development with courses in Dutch, Farsi, Finnish, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies A breadth of activities and clubs is offered during lunchtime, before and after school, and during school holidays.	Social & hobbies Outside the classroom, ISD offers student groups and activities that develop teamwork, leadership, and advocacy skills, and encourage social awareness and community engagement.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Community engagement is supported through student-led initiatives and active parent involvement in school productions, with Friends of the Arts volunteers contributing to costume design, set building, and front-of-house operations.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Model United Nations develops leadership, debate and negotiation skills.	Leadership & professional Student groups provide leadership opportunities and ambassador-like roles that develop teamwork and advocacy skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports are offered with competitive teams that travel to play other international schools; teamwork and sportsmanship are emphasised, supporting physical health and personal wellbeing.	Lifestyle & wellbeing ISD runs a comprehensive sports programme, with NECIS and city-wide competitions, after-school activities for all ages, and summer sports camps. Cub Club provides after-school care with arts and crafts, music, team sports, and free play, running daily from 15:45 to 18:00. The ISD Sportsverein offers structured training and competitive opportunities across various sports, supported by an after-school activities programme that complements academics.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the school language. German is taught in all grade levels at varying levels of proficiency, including for native speakers. A specialized team focuses on supporting students who join BIS without speaking English. 40 languages are spoken by BIS students, and students are encouraged to speak and read in their mother tongue languages.	Language provision The language of instruction in all classes is English, with EAL support for students up to grade 10 who are not yet fluent in English. German is compulsory from Prep to Grade 10; non-native speakers study German B / Language Acquisition, and advanced students may enrol in German A / Language and Literature, with German ab initio available for Diploma Programme Language Acquisition in Grades 11-12. In the Senior School, a third language is offered: Spanish (non-native speakers), French (non-native speakers) or Japanese, with Japanese requiring native or near-native proficiency. A range of mother tongue classes is offered weekly after school to maintain and develop students' first languages, including Dutch, Farsi, Finnish, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish; other languages may be added if there is sufficient interest.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) – BIS is an IB World School delivering the IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) – BIS is accredited by NEASC; accreditation reaffirmed in November 2024. Council of International Schools (CIS) – BIS is a member of the Council of International Schools. AGIS – BIS is a member of AGIS.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Getting started: information is collected during the application to place your child in the appropriate grade level and guide subject choices. Apply via OpenApply, where you submit all details and upload documents. BIS accepts children year‑round with no application deadline, but admission depends on the availability of places in the requested grade level, and some grades may be full. The 2025‑2026 school year began on August 18, 2025. What you need for your application: a copy of your child's passport, your child's measles immunization record, a confidential recommendation from the child's current school (required for Grades 1–12), and two years of previous school reports. A full application must be completed on the BIS OpenApply site before a review of the student application takes place. Grade level placement may involve age guidelines, and language and mathematics testing may be used; admissions tests in Mathematics, English and/or German may be administered at the Principal's discretion.	Admissions 1. Submit an inquiry or start your application via ENQUIRY FORM. A member of ISD's Admissions Team will contact you to learn more about your child(ren) and your family, answer questions, and offer a personal Zoom meeting or an in-person tour of our campuses. The ENQUIRY FORM is accessible from the Admissions page. 2. Attend Virtual Open House sessions to learn more about ISD, meet members of our team, and explore what makes our learning community unique. Registration is available; Session 2: Tuesday 20 January 2026 \| 18:30 – 20:00 CET; Session 3: Wednesday 18 March 2026 \| 09:00 – 10:30 CET. 3. ISD accepts new students throughout the year and processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis; vacancies regularly arise throughout the school year. 4. New students are normally placed in their age-appropriate group based on a cut-off date of 01 September. 5. The language of instruction in all classes (apart from German and World Languages) is English; Students up to grade 10 receive tailored English as an Additional Language support; German classes are compulsory for Prep to Grade 10, and in the Senior School a third language may be studied (Spanish, French or Japanese).
Scholarships	Scholarships Financial Assistance Programme: BIS offers financial assistance for families who can demonstrate need. Applicants must be legally resident in Germany. Financial Assistance is awarded on the basis of need after submitting the Financial Assistance Application Form and necessary supporting documents for review by the Financial Assistance Committee (Director, Business Manager and others as determined by the Director). Applications should be received by 15 February for the following school year, and a scholarship can also be applied for at enrolment during a school year. Interviews may be part of the process. Scholarships are awarded based on household income, using a table that links income bands and family size to the percentage of support. Financial Assistance covers Admission and Tuition Fees for Early Learning through Grade 12. All applications must be in English and can only be considered once a place application has been submitted and approved. Decisions are final. Recipients are expected to maintain good attendance, strong effort and appropriate behavior.	Scholarships ISD maintains a Financial Assistance & Scholarship programme with a limited number of Financial Assistance scholarships available each year, offered as tuition-fee reductions for eligible students. The student and at least one parent must be resident in Germany, and applications are submitted using the Financial Assistance application form (in English or German) with the required documents. The deadline for applications is April each year for assistance in the following year, and the Financial Assistance Committee meets no later than May to review applications. The level of assistance is based on a family's gross annual worldwide income, including all positive earnings; child benefits/family allowances are considered as part of the assessment. Renewal is possible but not guaranteed, and all applications are treated confidentially.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, vacancies regularly arise throughout the school year.
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