Bonn International School vs ISR International School on the Rhine

	B Bonn International School Dusseldorf, Germany	I ISR International School on the Rhine Dusseldorf, Germany
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €12,763 - 23,088	Fees / year €14,140 - 21,050
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 (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, German Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened 1997	Opened —
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 ISR is located in the Düsseldorf/Neuss area of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. The main campus is Konrad-Adenauer-Ring 2, 41464 Neuss. An international Kindergarten operates in Düsseldorf-Niederkassel and a German-speaking Kindergarten in Meerbusch-Büderich, extending ISR's reach across the region. The campus is accessible by car and public transport, and a school bus service operates across Düsseldorf–Neuss–Meerbusch.
Stages	Stages Early Learning (ages 3-6); Primary Years (ages 6-11); Middle Years (ages 11-16); Diploma Years (ages 16-18).	Stages The school has an international Kindergarten, an international primary school, and an international middle and upper school.
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 The school is a private English-speaking international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 800 students from 80 countries; 80 nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix Over 1100 children from 60 countries attend ISR.
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 The school provides individualized support for students based on their abilities.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Germany	Country affiliation Affiliated with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and recognized as a private school.
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 ISR is a full-day school.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Four bus companies provide school transport across the Düsseldorf–Neuss–Meerbusch region. Partners include Zweelo and Wabbels; the service is emission-free and serves approximately 90 children on 12 routes.
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 - No fixed, publicly listed application, assessment or one-time registration fee amount is published; the school requires completion of an applicant questionnaire and provides the specific admission-related charges after the application is processed. Tuition fees (by year group, per term and per year) - ISR does not publish a public, grade-by-grade fee table showing exact per-term and per-year amounts. Fees vary by grade level and campus. - Third-party listings report typical annual tuition ranges for ISR in the region at approximately EUR 13,000 to EUR 20,000 per year depending on the student's grade/program; those listings do not provide an official per-term breakdown from the school. Use the listed annual range only as an indicative guide because no official per-term/per-grade schedule is published publicly. Billing schedule and payment terms - No standard public billing schedule (for example fixed invoice dates or a published instalment calendar) is provided in the school's publicly available fee materials. The school states that tuition funds all operations and that specific fee amounts are communicated to families through the application/admissions process. Boarding fees (if applicable) - The school's public fee information does not include a published boarding programme fee schedule. Some external listings include boarding figures (for example one third-party listing shows an annual boarding amount for older grades), but there is no boarding fee table published in the school's public fee materials. Other costs and typical additional charges - Additional costs commonly associated with attendance that are referenced in public materials and third-party summaries include: school meals/catering, school-bus transport, textbooks and learning materials, examination fees (external examinations where applicable), extracurricular activity fees, and school uniform or merchandise. Specific prices for these items are not presented in a public fee table. - Summer-school and short programme charges are published for those separate programmes; a published past Summer School contract shows programme fees by package and a stated enrollment cancellation fee of EUR 50 for that programme. These programme charges are separate from standard tuition. Refund information - No public, detailed refund or withdrawal schedule for regular tuition (percent refunds by notice period) is published in the school's publicly available fee material. A published Summer School contract includes a specific small cancellation fee for that programme, but a comprehensive tuition refund table is not published in the publicly available fee pages. Fee payment options - The school's public fee pages do not publish a definitive list of accepted payment channels (for example which credit cards, electronic payment portals or the exact bank-transfer details are used). Payment methods and invoicing arrangements are provided to families through the admissions/accounting process. Summary statement for database use - ISR operates on tuition funding that varies by grade and campus; the school does not publish a public, grade-by-grade per-term and per-year fee schedule. Approximate annual tuition ranges reported by third-party sources are EUR 13,000–EUR 20,000, and some third-party listings include separate boarding figures for older grades. Specific application, instalment, refund and payment-method details are communicated to applicants through the school's admissions/accounting process rather than in a public fee table.
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 —
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 Meals are prepared daily on-site by ISR's catering team, with two daily lunch options (at least one vegetarian); pork is not used, poultry or beef is included, and fish is served weekly. A salad bar and fresh fruit are available, with desserts twice a week, and menus align with the German Nutrition Society guidelines. There is also a kiosk offering healthy snacks.
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 school is owned and operated by ISR International School on the Rhine GmbH, with Peter Soliman as the sole managing director. Supervising authorities are the Ministry of School and Education of North Rhine-Westphalia for the School and the Landschaftsverband Rheinland for the Kindergarten.
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 ISR offers an international, college-preparatory curriculum. English and German are core; from Grade 6 a third language is offered (French, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese). In Grades 9–10, students take IGCSE courses; in Grades 11–12 most students begin the two-year IB Diploma Program. To graduate, students earn 26 credits in Grades 9–12 to obtain the ISR High School Diploma. The Cambridge Pathway underpins the upper school curriculum and guides preparation for universities worldwide.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Average class size: 18 students.	Student teacher ratio Over 1,000 students and around 160 teaching staff, giving an approximate student-to-teacher ratio of about 6:1.
Exam results	Exam results Average graduation points: 35 out of 45; graduates access universities of their choice.	Exam results IB results are well above world and German averages; graduates have gone on to study at top universities worldwide and in Germany. In the past three years, 100% of students who wished to enter German universities did so by meeting German IB requirements for the Allgemeine Hochschulreife.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates access universities of their choice.	Higher education progression ISR graduates have studied at top universities around the world and in Germany; the program prepares students to meet the entry requirements of universities in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and other regions.
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 The school places a strong emphasis on social and emotional development, helping children communicate their needs and build relationships with peers. The pedagogical team includes staff dedicated to student wellbeing, including Wellbeing Counsellors and a school nurse. Students have weekly Wellbeing Advising sessions with the Wellbeing Counselling team, focusing on self-awareness, respect, online safety, and related skills. The guiding principle is "We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters" and underpins daily practice.
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) —
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 school is English-speaking. A third language is studied from Grade 6 with a choice of French, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese. In Meerbusch, there is a bilingual program for kindergarten that supports English language development through play.
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 Wellbeing Counselling is provided by qualified staff to support students' mental health and wellbeing. Wellbeing Counsellors meet with students individually or in small groups to address topics such as conflict management, test-taking anxiety, stress, friendship issues, sadness, and self-esteem. Counselling is confidential and follows safeguarding procedures, with risk considerations referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead when necessary.
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 ISR has a Safeguarding Policy that defines safeguarding as protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health or development, ensuring safe and effective care, and taking action to enable the best outcomes. The policy outlines training and induction for staff, the roles of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputies, and clear reporting pathways across all school life. Appendix D details Wellbeing Counselling, and safeguarding procedures require staff, students, parents, volunteers, and visitors to cooperate; confidentiality is maintained where appropriate, with safeguarding considerations taking precedence when needed.
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 ISR Campus in Neuss spans 150,000 m² with a state-of-the-art school building, a three-court sports hall, and multiple school yards. The extensive outdoor areas include beach volleyball, basketball and soccer fields, a large track and field facility, numerous tennis and padel courts, and an archery range. Learning and recreation spaces, green spaces, and specially designed outdoor activity zones enrich campus life for sports and collaborative learning. The High Tech Campus provides digital tools and immersive learning experiences in classrooms, with a library and other facilities supporting academic life. The campus also includes a cafeteria and music rooms to support student wellbeing and the performing arts.
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 ISR offers an extensive range of sports facilities, including a purpose-built, state-of-the-art sports hall that can accommodate up to three PE classes simultaneously with dividing curtains and floor markings for badminton, basketball, handball, football, indoor hockey, and volleyball, plus an indoor climbing wall. The adjoining sports complex provides grass and cinder football fields, a running track, a long jump and triple jump sandpit, and athletics equipment. There are multiple tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, basketball courts, and football pitches on campus for outdoor sports.
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 High Tech Campus includes high-tech screens in classrooms, E-books, virtual reality goggles, 3D printers, and modern computer rooms. Technology complements traditional learning materials to deepen subject understanding, including VR experiences in lessons. The ISR Library has over 25,000 books, with Antolin and Accelerated Reader reading programs supporting German and English literacy. A Book Club for Grade 5–6 meets weekly as part of SEA, and a Physics/Chemistry/Biology question bank is available on PCs. The campus includes two music rooms with instruments and computers with music software for composition and recording.
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 ISR offers Student Leadership Council, Student Extracurricular Activities, and international programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and Model United Nations. These programs foster leadership, teamwork, service, and global engagement. Clubs and activities cover arts, debate, and community service, providing opportunities for students to pursue interests beyond academics. Participation in these activities complements classroom learning and supports personal development.
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 ISR was founded in 2003 by the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, the City of Neuss, the Chamber of Commerce Mittlerer Niederrhein, and leading international companies. It was established as a place of educational excellence, diversity, and international spirit. The Advisory Board today includes many of the original founders, ensuring their vision continues to shape the school. ISR is situated in the Düsseldorf–Neuss–Meerbusch region and is funded entirely by tuition fees, with no state financial support.
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 ISR Community & Alumni Network connects hundreds of alumni worldwide and offers the opportunity to strengthen and maintain the bond between former students and ISR. Through the alumni portal, they can share academic and professional achievements, view job postings, establish professional connections within the ISR community, and stay informed about school news. The network provides access to a comprehensive mentoring program, allowing alumni to connect with parents, teachers, and partners of ISR for guidance on various topics. Alumni spotlights and stories showcase the reach and achievements of ISR graduates.
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 ISR has a very active Parent Network. If your child joins ISR you are automatically a member of the Parent Network. The three goals are to create a healthy parent community in school where families feel at home, to provide ideas/feedback to help ISR become one of the best schools in Germany, and to create a platform for exchanging best practices between school and parents. The network is organized via Class Representatives, with parent spokespeople for each class; they organize evenings for parents to meet and support the teacher on school-related activities and serve as the first contact for new families. If you would like to get involved, contact pn@isr-school.de.
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 SEA offers over 90 activities for students, teachers, parents, and outside instructors. Academic-oriented options include KUMON/Math Club, Reading Clubs, Chess, and language clubs such as Chinese, Japanese, Persian, Turkish, and Spanish. Model United Nations provides opportunities to practice research, public speaking, debating, writing, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership. In Grades 1–6, SEA activities are chosen during Period 9, giving students the chance to extend topics beyond the standard curriculum.
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 Art activities are offered through an Art Program where students experiment with various forms and techniques. Works of art are regularly exhibited in the school and presented at events such as the ISR International Spring Festival, ISR Open House, and ISR Family Fun & Sports Day. Musically inclined students participate in a robust music program with a wide variety of instruments and private lessons in cooperation with a local music school; students showcase their talents at two major concerts per year and other performances. There are opportunities in drama, choir, orchestra, and rock band as part of the SEA offerings.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The programme spans languages to political debating clubs.	Cultural & language Language clubs include Chinese, Japanese, Persian, Turkish, and Spanish. The school hosts cultural events and activities such as the Halloween party in partnership with the American International Women's Club of Düsseldorf, and the St. Martin's Parade. The ISR International Spring Festival is a featured event, and ISR Family Fun & Sports Day is another cultural-school event. Grades 5 and 6 also participate in events such as St. Martin's Parade.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies A breadth of activities and clubs is offered during lunchtime, before and after school, and during school holidays.	Social & hobbies SEA includes a wide array of hobbies and social activities, including Chess, Reading Clubs, Rock Band, and various dance, music, and sport clubs. ISR hosts school events such as ISR Family Fun & Sports Day and Open House. Grades 5–6 have Movie & Study Nights, Winter Wonderland Ball, Lock-In, and End of Elementary School Celebration. Grades 1–6 participate in day trips to extend topics covered in lessons.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service ISR students engage in extensive community service through CAS projects, with numerous local and international charity initiatives. Examples include engagement with the dementia center St. Augustine Group through artistic and musical performances, and donations to Regenbogenland Hospice and other charities. Volunteers also support food banks, Red Cross, orphanages, shelters, and elderly care, and participate in tutoring and community outreach. The CAS program and ISR Student Leadership Council (SLC) foster ongoing service and leadership across school activities.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Model United Nations develops leadership, debate and negotiation skills.	Leadership & professional Starting in Grade 4, the Elementary School Leadership Council provides real-life leadership responsibilities. An Elementary Student Council (ESC) operates in Grades 1–6 to give students leadership opportunities and a voice in school decisions. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award offers an annual program for older students to develop leadership, volunteering, and personal growth through self-selected activities. The Model United Nations (MUN) Executive Team organizes internal simulations, giving ISR students opportunities to lead, research, and present.
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 ISR has a modern sports hall, a climbing wall, and outdoor facilities including a turf pitch, supporting a wide range of sports. Physical Education comprises two lessons per week totaling 90 minutes, with sport blocks typically lasting 4–6 weeks. School Holiday Programs include a February/March Winter Break ski/snowboard trip and a June/July ISR Sports Camp. Cooperation with PSV Neuss 1961 provides access to additional sports disciplines with professional trainers.
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 English is the language of instruction. German is taught as a core language and follows the North Rhine-Westphalia curriculum. From Grade 6, a third language is introduced with options including French, Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese. Kindergarten provides English instruction with weekly German lessons to support early bilingual development.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching ISR uses English as the language of instruction across the school. German is taught as a core language with weekly German lessons beginning in kindergarten. A bilingual IB Diploma track is offered, with many students achieving native-level proficiency in two languages. Starting in Grade 6, a third language is studied, with options including French, Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese.
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 ISR is an IB World School, a Cambridge Examinations Centre, and a Cognia-accredited institution; PSAT exams are conducted on site.
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 The ISR International School on the Rhine is an English‑speaking private school serving kindergarten through grade 12 in the Neuss–Düsseldorf region of North Rhine‑Westphalia. Enrollment is possible at any time during the academic year, and virtual meetings and assessments are available. Placement into a grade is determined by academic attainment, with age acting as a limiting factor; kindergarten has no academic requirements but children must be three by June 30 to start in August and must be able to speak and follow simple instructions and be toilet-trained. Students in grades 1–2 meet with the Elementary School Head and complete worksheets. The admission process is personal and informative and includes the following steps: 1. Applicant's Questionnaire (families may apply year‑round; starting in late winter or early spring for the following school year is recommended due to space availability); 2) Campus Tour at ISR Neuss (to learn about the curriculum and meet admissions staff); 3) School Records (transcripts, assessment results from the previous two years, and any psychological/neurological evaluations); 4) Knowledge Check (grades 3–11 take tests in English, Mathematics, and German; grades 10–11 also test in Social Science and General Science and may have a third language; grades 8+ are interviewed by the School Director and/or Academic Head; durations range from about 30 minutes for grades 1–2 to 3 hours for grades 3–9; 10–11 may take one to two days); 5) Offer of Placement (provided after review of knowledge checks, academic background, social and emotional development, and aptitude); 6) Enrollment Contract (enrollment is possible year‑round).
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 ISR regularly offers scholarships to applicants who have achieved very good academic standards and/or are from low‑ to middle‑income families. Qualification is determined by means of an entrance knowledge check that is taken after a preliminary evaluation on the basis of documents (school reports, recommendations, etc.). The decision about the number of new scholarships and possible modifications to the scholarship requirements is made annually in April/May for the following school year. Download ISR's scholarship application packet.
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