Cologne International School vs ISR International School on the Rhine

	C Cologne International School Dusseldorf, Germany	I ISR International School on the Rhine Dusseldorf, Germany
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €19,585 - 23,690	Fees / year €14,140 - 21,050
Age range	Age range 5 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, German Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened 2005	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The campus is located at Rudi-Conin-Straße 10, 50829 Köln, in Cologne's Butzweilerhof area. It sits at the end of Rudi-Conin-Straße. It is about 20 minutes by public transport from Cologne Central Station (Tram 5, stop IKEA am Butzweilerhof) and 3 minutes from highway A57. A daily shuttle connects the old Widdersdorf campus with the new CIS site.	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 Primary Years Programme (Grades 1–5); Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10); Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).	Stages The school has an international Kindergarten, an international primary school, and an international middle and upper school.
School type	School type The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum with an on‑campus Boarding House.	School type The school is a private English-speaking international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Over 1100 children from 60 countries attend ISR.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Language support is available for newcomers to English or German; small class sizes and individualized attention.	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 —	School day structure ISR is a full-day school.
Bus service details	Bus service details Daily shuttle between the old Widdersdorf campus and the new site.	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 Application & Admission Fees - First child total: EUR 5,750.00. This is composed of: - ADM 1 (Application fee): EUR 750.00, payable before the admission meeting and refundable if the student is not accepted. - ADM 2 (Admission fee): EUR 5,000.00, payable after signing the school contract and non-refundable. - Sibling rate (application + admission combined): EUR 4,500.00. Tuition fees by school level (annual, monthly and equivalent per term) - Primary Years Programme (Grades 1–5): - Annual tuition: EUR 19,585.00. - Monthly tuition (payment plan): EUR 1,716.00 (due 1st of each month when using monthly instalments). - Equivalent per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 6,528.33 per term. - Payment notes: annual payments are due 1 August 2025; fees may alternatively be paid in 12 monthly instalments (monthly payments may incur interest). - Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10): - Annual tuition: EUR 21,915.00. - Monthly tuition (payment plan): EUR 1,920.00 (due 1st of each month when using monthly instalments). - Equivalent per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 7,305.00 per term. - Exams connected to the NRW “Mittlerer Schulabschluss” are charged at EUR 105.00 per subject where applicable. Monthly instalments may incur interest. - Pre-IB Diploma Programme (Grade 10): - Annual tuition: EUR 22,115.00. - Monthly tuition (payment plan): EUR 1,934.00 (due 1st of each month when using monthly instalments). - Equivalent per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 7,371.67 per term. - Exams connected to the NRW accreditation are charged at EUR 105.00 per subject. Monthly instalments may incur interest. - IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12): - Annual tuition: EUR 23,690.00. - Monthly tuition (payment plan): EUR 2,076.00 (due 1st of each month when using monthly instalments). - Equivalent per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 7,896.67 per term. - IB examination fees: per-subject exam fees apply for diploma candidates (see Additional Costs for the 2025/26 per-subject figure). Monthly instalments may incur interest. Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition invoices are due on 1 August 2025 for the listed annual amounts. Monthly instalment payments are due on the 1st of each month when selected. - School fees can be paid either by a single annual payment or in 12 monthly instalments; monthly instalments may incur interest. - Boarding charges (where applicable) are billed annually after enrolment; the security deposit is a one-off charge due after enrolment. - The school lunch program is charged for the full school year; average days of absence are included in the calculation and a pro‑rata refund will be made only if more than 15 days are missed. - For already booked class trips, reimbursement is not possible in case of non-participation. Boarding fees and related charges - Accommodation categories (annual): - Category A (single room with ensuite): EUR 25,380.00 per year. - Category B (single room with shared bathroom): EUR 24,300.00 per year. - Category C (double room with ensuite): EUR 22,140.00 per year. - Security deposit (one-off after enrolment): EUR 2,000.00. - Insurance (annual): EUR 702.00. Footnote: liability, accident and health insurance is structured as EUR 39.00 per month for the 1st–18th month and EUR 57.00 per month from the 19th month onwards; the annual figure is shown as EUR 702.00. Other costs and ancillary fees - Lunch and meal plans (shown as monthly instalment / single annual payment): - Grades 1–5 lunch: EUR 110.00 per month / EUR 1,310.00 per year. - Grades 1–5 lunch & breakfast: EUR 184.00 per month / EUR 2,196.00 per year. - Grades 6–12 lunch: EUR 119.50 per month / EUR 1,420.00 per year. - Grades 6–12 lunch & breakfast: EUR 196.00 per month / EUR 2,340.00 per year. - Bus shuttle (Widdersdorf–Butzweilerhof): EUR 115.00 per month / EUR 1,365.00 per year. - Clubs: EUR 60.00 per club per semester (45 minutes) or EUR 120.00 per club per semester (90 minutes). - Late supervision (up to 17:00–17:30): EUR 50.00 per club/semester. - Class trips: primary expected under EUR 150.00; secondary generally over EUR 150.00 (individual trip costs vary; booked trips are not refundable if you do not participate). - Exams and assessment fees (2025/26 examples): - MYP5 e-Assessment fee (2025/26): EUR 59.00 per subject. - IB Diploma exam fee (2025/26): EUR 92.00 per subject. - Where applicable, NRW accreditation exams are charged at EUR 105.00 per subject. - Language classes for parents: EUR 136.00–216.00 (course-dependent). - School supplies: standard supply lists are used; a school T‑shirt and other classroom supplies appear on the supply lists provided to families (no separate compulsory uniform fee is listed). Refund information (explicitly stated items) - The application fee (ADM 1: EUR 750.00) is refundable if the student is not accepted. - The admission fee (ADM 2: EUR 5,000.00) is non-refundable. - Lunch program: if more than 15 days of lunch are missed in a school year, a pro‑rata refund of the lunch fee will be made. - Class trips: reimbursement is not available in the case of non-participation in already booked trips. - Exam fees are invoiced when due and are charged per subject; individual exam refunds are handled according to the invoicing and exam policies in force for the year. Fee payment options - Primary payment method shown: bank transfer (SEPA) using the school's bank details. Example bank payment information published on school forms and administrative documents: IBAN DE31 3705 0299 0181 2701 57, BIC COKSDE33 (Kreissparkasse Köln). - Instalment option: 12 monthly instalments are available for tuition; monthly instalments may incur interest. - Application and admission payments: the application fee is payable before the admission meeting and the admission fee is payable after signing the contract; the boarding security deposit and the first-year boarding charges are payable after enrolment. Summary of key figures (EUR) - Application & admission (first child): EUR 5,750.00 (ADM1 EUR 750 refundable if not accepted; ADM2 EUR 5,000 non-refundable). - Tuition (annual): Primary EUR 19,585.00; Middle Years EUR 21,915.00; Pre‑IB (Grade 10) EUR 22,115.00; IB Diploma (Grades 11–12) EUR 23,690.00. - Boarding (annual): Cat A EUR 25,380.00; Cat B EUR 24,300.00; Cat C EUR 22,140.00; Security deposit EUR 2,000.00; Insurance EUR 702.00 annually. - Typical ancillary annual examples: lunch (Primary) EUR 1,310.00; bus EUR 1,365.00; clubs per semester EUR 60.00–120.00; IB exam fee per subject (2025/26) EUR 92.00.	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 is offered on campus for students aged 15+ (Grades 9–12). Rooms are available as Category A (single with private bathroom), Category B (single with shared bathroom, two singles share one bathroom), or Category C (double with private bathroom) with supervision provided by a boarding team; meals are served daily with all students eating together, and every second Friday there is a trip to explore Cologne.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Healthy meals are served daily, and all students eat together.	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 The school is operated by Internationale Friedensschule Köln GmbH.	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 the International Baccalaureate Continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Grades 1-5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6-10, and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11-12. There are dedicated spaces for PYP, MYP, and DP. The primary school is bilingual, with instruction in German and English; from Grade 6 onward instruction is primarily in English to prepare for international qualifications. Placement tests and individualized support (EAL/DaZ) are provided for learners from diverse language backgrounds.	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 Small class sizes of 12 to 22 students per class.	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 —	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 earn the IB Diploma and gain admission to leading universities worldwide.	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 Honors Program.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Daily social-emotional learning (SEL) is woven into the curriculum, helping students develop resilience, empathy and self-confidence alongside academic skills. The approach reflects a holistic view of education that supports the whole child. Teachers integrate SEL across lessons to foster ongoing social and emotional development. The program aims to prepare students for life after school.	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 school offers inclusive admission and provides individualized support to meet diverse learning needs, including EAL/DaZ. Inclusion work strives to remove barriers to learning and to recognise learner variability. The Inclusion Team plans personal learning goals and supports students with different backgrounds and abilities. The bilingual environment supports language development as part of inclusion. These measures help every student grow, achieve and succeed.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Placement tests and individualized support (EAL/DaZ) welcome students of all language backgrounds and ensure everyone feels comfortable from day one in the bilingual environment. The school provides ongoing EAL support to develop language proficiency for academic success. The bilingual setup supports language development and intercultural communication.	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 The campus is open, friendly and safe for the whole community. Students have personal mentors and have access to learning support and counseling. The school emphasizes wellbeing through student support and partnerships with families, including community events and workshops. Approaches to Learning focus on developing self-management, social, communication, research and thinking skills to support mental wellbeing and personal growth.	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 Child Protection is a fundamental priority as part of the safeguarding process. All staff receive annual training and share concerns with the Child Protection Officer, who works closely with school leadership to ensure student safety and wellbeing. The facilities are designed with safety in mind, featuring breakout rooms, a dedicated library space and calm areas for quieter study or social interaction.	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 Cologne-Butzweilerhof campus is designed around student wellbeing, modern learning, and community values. Learning spaces include light-filled classrooms, collaborative spaces, and quiet corners that support different learning styles. There are dedicated spaces for PYP, MYP, and DP, plus science labs, art rooms, and maker spaces to support hands-on learning. A full indoor gym and expansive outdoor play areas keep students active as part of daily life. The campus is environmentally friendly, with a sustainable design and a photovoltaic system that helps meet energy needs. An on-campus Boarding House accommodates up to 20 international students, making CIS the only school in Cologne to offer on-site boarding.	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 There is a full indoor gymnasium and spacious outdoor play areas for physical education. PE classes use the gym and outdoor spaces for team games and after-school sports. Students stay active through regular athletic activities in these spaces. The facilities support a broad range of sports and fitness opportunities.	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 Dedicated spaces for PYP, MYP, and DP provide tailored environments for each program. Science labs, art rooms, and maker spaces support hands-on learning in science and the arts. Light-filled classrooms and collaborative spaces enhance daily learning. The campus uses a sustainable design, including a photovoltaic energy system that covers a substantial share of energy needs.	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 Extracurricular activities include sports such as tennis, athletics, football and basketball. Creative arts options include theatre, art and crafts, and video production. Language clubs cover Spanish, French, German and English. Music programs include choir, big band, and music theatre.	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 The school was established in July 2005 as Profilschule Weltvision gGmbH. It was renamed to Internationale Friedensschule Köln gGmbH on May 15, 2006. CIS opened in Cologne-Widdersdorf in August 2007 with 44 students. It was authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme in 2012. In November 2022, CIS relocated to a sustainable 19,000 m² campus in Cologne Butzweilerhof, with a boarding house for up to 20 students, and on December 24, 2024 it was designated an IB Continuum School offering PYP, MYP, and DP.	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 Thinking internationally and multilingual communication are at the heart of the school\'s identity. The school emphasizes empathy and cross-cultural collaboration to prepare students to thrive in a diverse, interconnected world. The vision is to contribute to a better world by inspiring a passion for learning and the drive to make a difference. The campus is a modern, sustainable space on a 19,000 m² site in Cologne Butzweilerhof.	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 school has a PTA.	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 Model United Nations is offered as part of the clubs. An Honors Program is offered. The clubs are available from grades 1 through 12.	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 Music clubs include choir, big band, and music theatre. Theatre, arts and crafts, and video production are available within the creative arts program. Moviemaking is featured in the holiday camps.	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 Language clubs include Spanish, French, German and English. They are offered through the school's primary and secondary club programs. The clubs are presented as part of after-school activities that extend learning beyond the classroom.	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 After-school clubs cover sports and games as well as arts, music, and media. Sports include tennis, athletics, football, and basketball. Holiday camps offer a bilingual experience with activities such as sports and outdoor games, dance and inline skating, arts and crafts, science experiments, and moviemaking.	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 Local activities and social projects connect CIS students with Cologne communities. International exchange programs and projects provide experiences and insights for working in international, multicultural contexts. The school currently supports social projects in Ghana, Peru and India.	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 is offered as part of clubs. An Honors Program is offered. The clubs run from grades 1 through 12.	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 Holiday camps offer sports and outdoor games, dance and inline skating, arts and crafts, science experiments, and moviemaking. They are bilingual (German-English) and led by a bilingual team, with daily hours from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and drop-off from 8:00–8:30 AM. Upcoming camp weeks include Spring Break (March 30 – April 2, 2026), Summer Break (July 13–17, July 17–21, and August 24–26, 2026) and Autumn Break (October 26–30, 2026).	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 and German are the languages of instruction across the school. In the Primary School (Grades 1–5), instruction is bilingual, with classes taught in both German and English. In the Secondary School, instruction continues in English, with German remaining a core subject, enabling first-language exams for non-German students. From day one, placement tests and EAL/DaZ support are available, and in Primary classes there is one German-speaking and one English-speaking teacher per class.	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 The Primary School offers bilingual instruction, with classes taught in both German and English.	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 —	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 01 Submit an Inquiry Form Submit an online inquiry form to share information about your child and your interest in Cologne International School. The admissions team reviews submitted inquiries to determine the appropriate next steps. After review, families proceed to the next stage in the admissions process. 02 Campus Tour or Meeting Once the inquiry is reviewed, you'll be invited to tour our campus in person or schedule a virtual meeting to get to know each other better. This provides an opportunity to learn more about CIS. The format may be on-site or via a virtual meeting. 03 Provide Required Documents A list of required documents will be provided to support your child's application, including school reports and language certificates. Documents help move forward with the application and ensure proper grade placement. Additional documents may be required based on individual circumstances. 04 Trial Day or Interview Depending on your child's age and grade, a trial day or an interview with the Principal may be arranged. The process is designed to assess fit for both sides. The interview may be with the Principal. 05 Receive Enrollment Offer If your child is accepted, you will receive a formal enrollment offer including the school contract and admission conditions. The offer also includes the next steps for joining our community. The enrollment contract outlines the terms of admission. 06 Prepare for Start Once you've signed the enrollment contract, the school will support you with next steps such as ordering school materials, arranging orientation, and getting ready for your first day.	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 Aid Program: Cologne International School offers a financial aid program. Aid is granted based on financial need, in line with the school's resources and the regulations of North Rhine-Westphalia. Applications are reviewed by Wieland Wirtschaftsprüfer und Steuerberater, an independent tax consultancy. Families can apply for financial aid during the admissions inquiry process.	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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