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Bavarian International School - City Campus

Germany, Munich

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €18,500 - 18,530
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 300
Type Co-educational
Opened 2016
Bus Service Yes
Part of
Bavarian International School
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin
Typical class size 22
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Leadership and Professional, Academic and Intellectual, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

The BIS City Campus of the non-profit Bavarian International School is a centrally located urban school in Munich’s Schwabing district, serving approximately 300 students from more than 40 nations (Early Childhood to Grade 5). As an International Baccalaureate World School, it implements the Primary Years Programme (PYP) with a focus on inquiry-based, collaborative and innovative learning. The campus is notably recognized as one of only 25 Positive Discipline Lab Schools globally, emphasizing a supportive social-emotional environment. Facilities include two dedicated sports halls, an ed tech studio, an arts centre, a library with more than 18.000 books (and millions of digital copies), a cafeteria with theatre stage and a brand new outdoor playground. Students benefit from an extensive After School Activities program featuring options such as Theatre, Coding, Chess, Swimming, Karate, Basketball, Football and many more. This campus provides a family-like atmosphere for international and local German families seeking a future-ready education with holistic and personalised learning. Every student is known and supported After completing elementary school at the BIS City Campus, students move on to the secondary school at the Haimhausen Campus.

This campus is part of Bavarian International School

Leopoldstraße 208, 80804 München, Germany

The Essentials

Bavarian International School - City Campus has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
The BIS City Campus is located in Munich-Schwabing.

Stages
The school offers Early Childhood to Grade 5 at BIS City Campus. In Haimhausen, BIS offers Early Childhood to Grade 12.

Type
The school is a non-profit gAG (gemeinnützige Aktiengesellschaft) with two campuses.

Pupil Nationality Mix
28% German local families, 72% families from all over the world (40 different nations)

Additional learning support
The school offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, a Newcomer Centre and Learning Support.

School day structure
BIS City Campus:
School Day from 8:20 to 15:15
After School Activities from 15:30 to 16:30
After School Care until 18:00

Bus service
Families can book our bus transportation service.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
No boarding.

Uniform Requirement
No school uniforms.
Only Physical Education (PE) kits and LIONS sports clothes.

Food Options
Daily lunch catering offered by our experienced partner KATERINE (daily options: with meat or fish; vegetarian; or pasta).

Governance and Ownership
The Bavarian International School is a gemeinnützige Aktiengesellschaft (non-profit stock corporation). It operates two campuses: the Haimhausen Campus and the City Campus in Munich.
Fees

Annual tuition at Bavarian International School - City Campus ranges from EUR 18,500 to EUR 18,530 for 2026/27.

At BIS City Campus, the annual tuition fee is around 18.000 EUR. Entrance and registration fee comes extra. BIS is having a Fee Reduction Programme in place (if still available).
Academics

Bavarian International School - City Campus teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
The school offers the full range of IB programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). PYP is for ages 3-12, MYP is for ages 13-16, and DP/CP are for ages 16-19. The two campuses are the City Campus in Munich and the Haimhausen Campus. English is the language of instruction; German language classes are offered from Grade 1 and additional languages—French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin—begin in Grade 6. Support services include language and learning support, pastoral care and university counselling.

Student Teacher Ratio
The school reports an average student–teacher ratio of 7:1.

Exam Results
In 2025, two BIS DP graduates achieved the maximum 45/45 points; 17% of graduates scored more than 40 points. In 2023, the DP average was 35 points, with 18.3% scoring above 40. These results indicate BIS DP scores are competitive with, and often above, global averages.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates are admitted to top universities around the world. University and career counselling support students with higher education planning, including events with university representatives and targeted guidance.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
BIS has a holistic pastoral care program that supports students' academic, social, and emotional wellbeing. The pastoral care team works with educators across the school to provide vital support and to foster stable, strong relationships. Pastoral Leaders and mentors support students through a structured network from teachers to pastoral leaders to ensure care. The IB Approaches to Learning identify affective skills such as mindfulness, perseverance, emotional management, self-motivation and resilience as part of student development. The PSHE program covers topics including sexual education, body image, digital safety, equity, and bullying to help students stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and work.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
BIS Learning Support provides services for students with mild learning differences to support their access to the curriculum. Learning Support teachers work with classroom teachers, families and external professionals to create an inclusive learning environment. Services include monitoring, in-class support, and individual or small-group instruction, with modifications documented in students' Individualised Education Plans. BIS offers the Infinity Programme for asynchronous learners, currently for Grades 6-8, giving high-achieving students opportunities to deepen topics and receive targeted teacher professional development on social and emotional needs of high-achieving students. The program aims to minimize obstacles to learning and accommodate diverse needs through a variety of delivery models.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The EAL programme equips each student with social and academic language skills to access BIS's learning environment. Every EAL student may continue learning their native language through the Home Language Programme. A home language survey and English language skills assessment determine placement along the language acquisition continuum. In secondary school, newcomers join the Newcomer Centre for Grades 6-8; Grades 6-10 join MYP English Language Acquisition; Grade 11 students study English B in the IB Diploma or High School Diploma. The Home Language literacy level is a key predictor of English language acquisition and academic success; maintaining Home Language affords academic, professional and cultural opportunities.

Mental Wellbeing
BIS supports mental wellbeing through a dedicated counselling and pastoral care framework for students, parents, and staff. The Counselling Department operates in a supportive, confidential, solution-focused manner and uses best practices from international models in school counselling and the American School Counselling Association. Counselling services address transitions, academic support, stress management, friendship/relationship issues, group programs, crisis counselling, and wellbeing lessons tailored to grade level needs. The pastoral care program aligns with IB Approaches to Learning affective skills, PSHE components, and a broader aim to develop social and emotional skills and resilience. BIS emphasizes healthy lifestyle and emotional and social development through professional staff and ongoing wellbeing initiatives.

Safeguarding
The Health team provides child protection services across campuses as part of daily care. The Counselling Department safeguards the human rights of all members of the BIS community, and supports a safe learning environment. BIS collaborates with local health and school authorities to ensure safety, health, and wellbeing. The BIS site links to a Whistleblower Protection policy to safeguard staff and students; such policies exist as part of their safeguarding framework. BIS is committed to safeguarding children and young people as part of its pastoral and wellbeing framework.
Parent Experience

History
Founded on February 18, 1991, BIS began in rented rooms of a former primary school in Goldach/Hallbergmoos with five students; by the end of the first year, 12 students from five nations attended. BIS now operates on two campuses with approximately 1,250 students from more than 60 nations. BIS is a non-profit joint-stock company (gemeinnützige Aktiengesellschaft). In 2021 BIS celebrated 30 years, launching a new brand and website, announcing its first-ever scholarship with Deutsche Finance Group, launching a new school mobile app, and initiating plans for the Creativity and Innovation Centre (CIC).

Community
The BIS community is inclusive and active. The Parent Community Council (PCC) is a key part of the BIS community and is made up of volunteer parents and family members. The PCC's mission is to enrich BIS's educational and cultural experiences, encourage mutual support, and build community across both campuses. Social gatherings led by the PCC occur throughout the year, including Orientation Day for new families, Welcome Coffee, Grade and Language meet ups, picnics, and wine-and-cheese evenings. The PCC also supports clubs such as Culture Club and Men's Stammtisch.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Community Council (PCC) is BIS's parent volunteer council, composed of volunteer parents and family members. Its mission is to enrich BIS's educational and cultural experiences, encourage mutual support, and build community across both campuses. The PCC operates through Grade representatives, Language representatives, Area representatives, and an Executive Committee; contact is pcc@bis-school.com and there are BIS PCC Facebook pages for the community. The PCC hosts social gatherings throughout the year, including Orientation Day for new families, Welcome Coffee, Grade and Language meet ups, picnics, and wine-and-cheese evenings. It also supports clubs such as Culture Club and Men's Stammtisch.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Two BIS campuses operate in Munich: City Campus in Schwabing and the Haimhausen Campus north of Munich. The learning spaces include libraries, design labs, classrooms and physical education facilities. BIS has three libraries across the campuses, including City Campus Library and Haimhausen Library. There are 119 classrooms across both campuses, and learning spaces also include City Campus Makerspace and Haimhausen Makerspace, Technology & Design Labs, and Visual & Performing Arts spaces with digital resources available in libraries. Physical Education facilities provide indoor and outdoor spaces, with 965 students active weekly and tournaments in Football, Basketball, Track & Field, Volleyball and Cross Country.

Sports Facilities
Indoor gymnasiums and a range of indoor and outdoor facilities support Physical Education at BIS. The City Campus and Haimhausen Campus provide spaces for PE lessons and after-school sport, including football, basketball, track and field, volleyball and cross-country. A large indoor basketball court is part of the facilities. 965 students participate in Physical Education each week, and BIS hosts several sports tournaments each year.

Academic Facilities
BIS has three libraries across the campuses and offers digital resources to support research. Library spaces include City Campus Library and Haimhausen Library. There are 119 classrooms across both campuses, and BIS offers Makerspaces on City Campus and Haimhausen, plus Technology & Design Labs and Visual & Performing Arts spaces to support creative and technical learning. The typical BIS classroom is a well-equipped learning space designed to support collaboration and inquiry, with access to digital resources.

Extra Curricular Facilities
There are around 80 After-school activities per week, spanning athletics, arts and other clubs.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School offering all four IB programmes: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career-related Programme. The IB Diploma is recognised by top universities in Germany and worldwide. 1,250 students from 70 nations study at BIS across two campuses in Munich city centre and in Haimhausen. The child's development is at the centre of BIS's educational approach and includes language support, learning support, pastoral care, mental health and wellbeing, and university counselling.

Arts & Creative
Visual and Performing Arts are central to BIS; students engage in performing and visual arts across the curriculum. In the Diploma Programme, students can study music, theatre, or visual arts, and they share their work through exhibitions and performances. Students have opportunities to take private music lessons on campus and participate in ensembles, theatre productions, and after-school arts activities. Arts events include the Arts Exhibition in the Haimhausen Castle, Wearable Art Show, theatre productions, ISTA festivals, workshops with visiting international artists, music concerts and recitals, and performances at the Christmas Market and International Spring Festival.

Cultural & Language
English is the language of instruction at BIS. In addition to English, five main languages are taught: German, Spanish, French, Japanese and Mandarin. German language classes are offered from Grade 1 onwards for all proficiency levels, and French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin begin in Grade 6. A Home Language Programme offers 17 additional languages.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers 80 After School Activities per week across the two campuses, ranging from coding to theatre and from basketball to music. Signature programmes in the Secondary School include the BIS Entrepreneurship Club, Model United Nations, European Eco-School, and The Duke of Edinburgh International Award. Excursions and class trips are an integral part of BIS learning experiences.

Community & Service
Social engagement is a mandatory part of the BIS curriculum, notably in Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) in Grades 11-12. There are opportunities for volunteering and community service through various groups and events. The BIS community is inclusive and full of life, characterised by kindness, respect, care and cooperation.

Leadership & Professional
Entrepreneurship Club and The Duke of Edinburgh International Award are part of BIS's leadership and personal development offerings. Model United Nations is a signature programme that develops leadership and collaboration skills. BIS provides university counselling and career development support to help students plan their futures.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing are supported through BIS's student services. The nutrition programme ensures healthy, tasty food is available to students on both campuses, and transportation services are provided to help students travel safely to and from school.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English. German language classes are offered from Grade 1 onwards for all proficiency levels. French, Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin begin in Grade 6. An optional Home Language Programme offers 17 languages.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions at BIS uses rolling admissions with a five-step process: Enquire, Visit, Apply, Decision, Enrolment. The application process includes submitting an online application, paying a non-refundable €200 application fee, testing and screening (EC2–Grade 5 may have guest days and a German language screening; Grades 6–12 may complete an online English placement test and a spontaneous writing assignment, followed by a personal interview, which can be conducted via video for long-distance applicants). The Admissions Committee reviews all components and aims to provide an admission decision within 10 working days after receiving a complete application, though this may extend during holidays or if extra information is required. A place is confirmed only after the application is complete, the enrolment contract is signed, and fees have been received. Enrollment priorities favour expat families first, then siblings, then local German families. If spaces are limited, applicants are placed on a waiting list and BIS cannot disclose a specific position on the wait list. The language of instruction is English; German is taught as part of the curriculum from Grade 1, and five other main languages are taught (German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Mandarin).

Scholarships
Scholarship Programme is run by Friends of BIS e.V. and BIS funds scholarships to enable particularly gifted and capable students to attend BIS regardless of parental income. In addition to Believe, Inspire, and Succeed, BIS is introducing the Dr. Chrissie Sorenson Scholarship for Grades 9–12 starting in 2026–27. The Dr. Chrissie Sorenson Scholarship is named after BIS's Head of School and is funded entirely by a BIS community member; it is available to German or international children who are permanent residents in Germany and whose families can prove financial need. The application process includes emailing scholarship@bis-school.com, submitting a financial questionnaire and a motivation letter, starting the online application, and possibly completing an English test, followed by a presentation to a panel if shortlisted. Deadline for the Dr. Chrissie Sorenson scholarship is April 7, 2026. The first awardee was Isabella B. Important notes: candidates must have permanent residence in Germany; financial need must be proven; existing BIS students are not eligible. For inquiries, scholarship@bis-school.com.

Waitlist
Does BIS have a waiting list? When a grade is full, qualified applicants are placed on a waiting list and contacted as soon as a space opens; BIS cannot disclose a student's position on the wait list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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