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Berlin Cosmopolitan School - City Campus

Germany, Berlin

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees €1,200 - 14,400
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1000
Type Co-educational
Opened 2003
Bus Service Yes
Part of
Berlin Cosmopolitan School
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), German Curriculum
Taught languages German, English, Spanish, French, Korean, Mandarin, Italian
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Languages, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Berlin Cosmopolitan School (BCS) is a non-profit international day school located in Berlin-Mitte. The school provides a dual-track educational path where students can earn either the IB Diploma or the bilingual German Abitur. Its City Campus is housed in a listed historic building and features dedicated learning spaces, including science laboratories, a dance studio, and a specialized Maker Space for VEX Robotics and engineering projects.BCS is particularly known for its Nature Education initiative, which utilizes a dedicated school forest for weekly outdoor learning sessions, starting in primary grades. This program allows students to engage in practical environmental science and permaculture lessons. Additionally, the school hosts an annual TEDxYouth event, providing a platform for students to present original research and ideas to the community. With over 100 extracurricular clubs, the school integrates music, arts, and digital technology into daily student life, ensuring a variety of hands-on opportunities beyond the classroom.

This campus is part of Berlin Cosmopolitan School

Rückerstraße 9, 10119 Berlin, Germany

The Essentials

Berlin Cosmopolitan School - City Campus has 1,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English, German.

Location
Rückerstraße 9, 10119 Berlin; Invalidenstraße 130, 10115 Berlin; Müggelheimer Damm 145, 12559 Berlin

Stages
Early Years; Primary School; Primary Years Programme; Secondary School; Secondary School Programme

Type
Non-profit international school; IB World School

Additional learning support
Academic & Social Emotional Support; English as an Additional Language; German Language Development

Country affiliation
Germany
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The wearing of the official BCS school uniform is compulsory for all students on school premises.

Food Options
BCS operates an on-site catering service, Berlin Cosmopolitan Food Services GmbH, with fresh meals prepared daily. Lunch is mandatory for all students as BCS is a full-day school; the weekly menu typically includes two meat dishes, one fish dish and two vegetarian dishes, plus a salad bar, fresh fruit, and seasonal/local ingredients; dietary needs (gluten-free, lactose-free, egg-free, etc.) are accommodated. The school is nut-free and pork is avoided for religious reasons; breakfast is provided for secondary students and younger students follow a structured breakfast routine.

Governance and Ownership
The school is run by EBS Europäische Bildungsstiftung gGmbH; the supervisory authority is the Senate for Education, Youth and Economy of Berlin; the school is registered at Amtsgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg (Register No. 105640B).
Fees

Annual tuition at Berlin Cosmopolitan School - City Campus ranges from EUR 1,200 to EUR 14,400 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration fees
- Application (Anmeldegebühr): EUR 50 (one-off; charged when an applicant is invited to an entrance test). Exempt for families with a demonstrated gross annual income under EUR 30,000.
- Registration / Admission fee (Aufnahmegebühr): EUR 1,200 (one-off; payable at contract signing). Reduced or exempt for families with lower incomes as specified by the school's fee rules.
- Advance payment (Vorauszahlung): EUR 1,350 (one-off; payable at contract signing and credited against the final invoice at contract end). Families with demonstrated lower incomes may be exempt on application.

Tuition fees by year group (monthly and annual amounts; income-based categories)
- Tuition is charged as a monthly payment spread over 12 months. The table below shows the monthly charge followed by the equivalent annual charge (monthly × 12). Monthly amounts are shown per family gross-income bracket and by year group.

- Year groups used by the school:
- Klassen 1–6 (Primary)
- Klassen 7–10 (Lower Secondary)
- Abitur 11–12 (Upper Secondary, German Abitur track)
- IB Diploma 11–12 (Upper Secondary, IB Diploma track)

- Monthly / Annual (examples by income bracket):
- Income from EUR 30,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 231 / year EUR 2,772; Klassen 7–10: EUR 252 / year EUR 3,024; Abitur 11–12: EUR 265 / year EUR 3,180; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 293 / year EUR 3,516.
- Income from EUR 32,500: Klassen 1–6: EUR 274 / year EUR 3,288; Klassen 7–10: EUR 289 / year EUR 3,468; Abitur 11–12: EUR 301 / year EUR 3,612; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 327 / year EUR 3,924.
- Income from EUR 35,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 357 / year EUR 4,284; Klassen 7–10: EUR 379 / year EUR 4,548; Abitur 11–12: EUR 398 / year EUR 4,776; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 414 / year EUR 4,968.
- Income from EUR 37,500: Klassen 1–6: EUR 392 / year EUR 4,704; Klassen 7–10: EUR 422 / year EUR 5,064; Abitur 11–12: EUR 453 / year EUR 5,436; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 471 / year EUR 5,652.
- Income from EUR 40,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 433 / year EUR 5,196; Klassen 7–10: EUR 575 / year EUR 6,900; Abitur 11–12: EUR 569 / year EUR 6,828; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 593 / year EUR 7,116.
- Income from EUR 60,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 530 / year EUR 6,360; Klassen 7–10: EUR 689 / year EUR 8,268; Abitur 11–12: EUR 737 / year EUR 8,844; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 772 / year EUR 9,264.
- Income from EUR 80,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 600 / year EUR 7,200; Klassen 7–10: EUR 828 / year EUR 9,936; Abitur 11–12: EUR 892 / year EUR 10,704; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 932 / year EUR 11,184.
- Income from EUR 100,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 694 / year EUR 8,328; Klassen 7–10: EUR 950 / year EUR 11,400; Abitur 11–12: EUR 1,018 / year EUR 12,216; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 1,084 / year EUR 13,008.
- Income from EUR 130,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 769 / year EUR 9,228; Klassen 7–10: EUR 1,033 / year EUR 12,396; Abitur 11–12: EUR 1,093 / year EUR 13,116; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 1,171 / year EUR 14,052.
- Income from EUR 160,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 838 / year EUR 10,056; Klassen 7–10: EUR 1,095 / year EUR 13,140; Abitur 11–12: EUR 1,154 / year EUR 13,848; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 1,248 / year EUR 14,976.
- Income from EUR 180,000: Klassen 1–6: EUR 900 / year EUR 10,800; Klassen 7–10: EUR 1,160 / year EUR 13,920; Abitur 11–12: EUR 1,220 / year EUR 14,640; IB Diploma 11–12: EUR 1,320 / year EUR 15,840.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is calculated on a monthly basis and payable as monthly instalments spread over 12 months. Parents who wish to access income-dependent fees must submit the required annual income tax documentation and a completed self-declaration by the stated deadline; otherwise the highest income category applies.
- Specific due dates shown in the fee rules: application fee at invitation to test; admission fee and advance payment at contract signing; Lehr- und Arbeitsmittel (books/materials) charged annually on 1 August. The advance payment is credited against the final school invoice at the end of the contract.

After‑school care / Ganztagsbetreuung (classes 1–6)
- If the parent provides a voucher (Hortgutschein) the parental contribution is income-dependent. The documented ranges are:
- Hortgutschein up to 18:00: monthly EUR 20–243 (income-dependent).
- Hortgutschein up to 16:00: monthly EUR 15–182 (income-dependent).
- If no Hortgutschein is provided, a flat additional fee of EUR 480 per month is charged for the afternoon programme. Classes 1–3 can take part in the 13:30–16:00 module without needs assessment.

Meals (Verpflegung)
- All students take part in the school lunch programme; the school charges a monthly contribution by age group. The charges are shown as monthly rates:
- Klassen 1–5: EUR 18 per month (afternoon snack). For Grade 1 the listed rate for breakfast + afternoon snack is EUR 30.
- Klasse 6: EUR 30 per month (breakfast and afternoon snack).
- Klassen 7–12: EUR 99 per month (breakfast and lunch).
- The document notes that pupils in Klassen 1–6 receive the midday meal without cost contribution in some cases and that the school provides allergy-sensitive options; the meal programme is operated by the school catering team.

Learning materials, exam and other additional costs
- Lehr- und Arbeitsmittel (books and core materials): annual flat rate — Klassen 1–6: EUR 250 (due 1 August); Klassen 7–12: EUR 350 (due 1 August). For Abitur and IB Higher Level practical art costs there is an additional one‑off charge of EUR 150 (due 1 August or as stated). Families with gross annual income up to EUR 30,000 are charged EUR 100 per child for these materials.
- Other costs billed separately: materials for after‑school activities, external tests/examinations, remedial learning support, class trips, IB examination fees (IB exam fees are charged at the rates set by the IB organization) and similar additional services. Support is available for holders of relevant benefit passes (BuT) where applicable.

Sibling discounts and low‑income concessions
- Standard sibling discounts on tuition:
- 2nd child: 15% reduction
- 3rd child: 25% reduction
- 4th child and more: 50% reduction
- On application and where justified by family circumstances, higher sibling discounts may be granted (e.g., 25% for 2nd child, 50% for 3rd, 75% for 4th and more).
- For families with a demonstrated gross annual income of up to EUR 30,000 the school sets a reduced flat tuition: EUR 100 for the oldest child, EUR 75 for the second child, EUR 50 for the third child and EUR 25 for each additional child. These families are fully exempt from the application fee, admission fee and advance payment; school clothing may be discounted or supplied free of charge on application.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not listed in the school's fee schedule. No boarding fees are charged because the school operates as a day school.

Refunds and contract‑end treatment of payments
- The advance payment (Vorauszahlung) is offset against the final invoice at contract termination. The fee rules provide for income-based exemptions and reductions but do not list general automatic refunds for term‑time withdrawals beyond the stated handling of the advance payment; additional refund or cancellation terms are handled per the school's contract and finance procedures.

Fee payment options and contact for finance
- The application process accepts credit card details for payment of the application fee. For contracts, invoices and other payments the school's finance office issues payment instructions; the finance contact is finance@cosmopolitanschool.de. Specific payment channels for tuition (bank transfer, direct debit, credit card, etc.) are confirmed in the school's finance correspondence and contractual documentation.

Other practical notes on compulsory items
- Official school clothing is compulsory; clothing is available from a designated supplier and through the school's second‑hand shop. Costs vary by item and family needs; discounted or free provision is available for eligible low‑income families on application.
Academics

Berlin Cosmopolitan School - City Campus teaches IB (PYP), German Curriculum for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
The Berlin Cosmopolitan School implements the Berlin state curriculum and follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). The Primary Years Programme anchors the primary curriculum and integrates the Berlin framework with international educational standards through the Program of Inquiry across six transdisciplinary themes. The upper secondary curriculum is bilingual in English and German and offers pathways to the bilingual Abitur or the IB Diploma, with French and Spanish available as additional languages. Mittlerer Schulabschluss is offered at the end of Year 10 via media-based project work, and after Year 12 students can obtain an IB Diploma and the German Abitur. Class sizes are small: primary classes have 18–22 students per class (with up to two classes per year) and secondary classes have a maximum of 22 students per class. The school provides work placements and college counselling, including internships from Year 6 to Year 10 and ongoing guidance through a college counsellor.

Student Teacher Ratio
Primary: 18–22 students per class with up to two classes per year; Secondary: up to 22 students per class.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates are prepared for admission to German and international universities. The school provides college counselling and internships, with a dedicated college counsellor and guidance. After Year 12, students can obtain an IB Diploma and the German Abitur.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and talented or exceptionally able students are recognised and included in the mainstream; they may receive differentiated instruction through a Student Support Plan, with input from teachers, SEN staff and families.
Parent Experience

History
The Berlin Cosmopolitan School (BCS) is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Yvonne Wende as the Initiative for Education and Talent Promotion, focusing on international education. In September 2004, the first bilingual German-English kindergarten opened in Berlin-Mitte, the foundation stone of today's Berlin Cosmopolitan School. The primary school opened in 2007, and the campus moved to Rückerstraße 9 in 2008; the secondary school started in 2009. In 2013, BCS was accredited as an International Baccalaureate World School for the Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme. The school has achieved the best Abitur average in Berlin in 2016 and 2019, and celebrated 20 years in 2025 with ongoing developments such as a redesigned library, new cafeteria, and a Nature Campus, while continuing IB/Abitur success.

Community
BCS maintains an active, international school community with a range of clubs and community groups. The Community section includes Official School Clothing, Friends of Cosmo, and Music Friends of BCS. The school also hosts major events such as the annual Summer Show and other performances that involve students from kindergarten to upper school, as highlighted in the 2025 Summer Show recap. The Summer Show is described as a festival of music, dance, art and community spirit.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Friends of Cosmo (F.O.C.) is the PTA-equivalent at Berlin Cosmopolitan School. It is a group of parents who mobilize assets and networks to drive school projects for the benefit of our children and the wider community. Projects include Career Day, the Cosmo Charity Soirée, and DigiBox. F.O.C. hosts quarterly gatherings in Berlin-Mitte; members access a closed LinkedIn group and a WhatsApp group. The membership costs €10 per month and donations are deductible as contributions to Cosmopolitan School Campus gGmbH; applications can be submitted online. Contact: friendsofcosmo@cosmopolitanschool.de.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The City Campus is in central Berlin-Mitte, spanning Rückerstraße and Mulackstraße. The main building at Rückerstraße 9 is a listed historic building that shapes the character of the campus. The City Campus includes modern learning spaces such as art and music rooms, science laboratories, an IT room, a dance studio, and a recreation and climbing room. A Creative Art Room and a games room on the ground floor support creativity, exercise and social interaction, and the library supports independent work, research and reading. A Maker Space provides space to tinker and program for robotics and other hands-on learning.

Sports Facilities
Basketball is a major activity with intramural play and a partnership with ALBA Berlin for competitive teams. The program also includes football (soccer), girls' football, gymnastics, running and other clubs such as flag football and dance. There are more than 100 pupils in afternoon basketball clubs. The adventure playground City of Children provides outdoor activities near the school.

Academic Facilities
City Campus offers modern learning spaces for diverse talents, including art and music rooms, science laboratories, an IT room, a dance studio, a recreation and climbing room, and a library. The City Campus Maker Space supports robotics and independent learning, and upper secondary has dedicated rooms for concentrated study. Nature Campus Müggelsee provides bilingual and transdisciplinary primary teaching with direct experiences in nature, forest days and environmental projects. Forest School in Prenden has a long-standing forest-based program with weekly forest days.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The library has English and German books, a growing reference section, laptops for research and a quiet study area open before and after school. Extracurricular programme includes remedial classes, expert clubs, music, dance, science, sports, art, crafts and languages. Basketball has a strong presence with over 100 pupils in afternoon clubs and a partnership with ALBA Berlin. Foreign language clubs include Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Creative and practical clubs include Print Maker, Woodwork and Creative Filmmakers, and the City of Children adventure playground offers outdoor activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has a library with a growing collection of English and German books across genres and a reference section with laptops for student research. Debate/Model UN and Creative Writing clubs develop critical thinking and communication, and Mathematics/Problem-Solving activities challenge students to think creatively.

Arts & Creative
The school has music and performing arts opportunities including Jazz & Improv Ensemble, Recorder, Sing-along Club and Soul Sessions, with Junior Performance Class and Creative Filmmakers. Visual arts and crafts include Woodwork, Sewing, Print Maker, T-Shirt Print and World Masks to broaden artistic expression.

Cultural & Language
The school has Foreign Language Clubs for Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish, integrating language practice with culture through games, stories and cooking. These clubs offer opportunities to explore language and culture beyond core classes.

Social & Hobbies
The school has Games, Balance & Social Clubs and an adventure playground called City of Children, offering hands-on play, crafts and outdoor activities. These clubs provide social experiences and informal interests beyond academics.

Community & Service
The Cosmopolitan Events Company is a student-run organisation that plans and runs school-wide events, teaching marketing, finance and management. It partners with MitMachMusik to provide music lessons for refugee children in Berlin.

Leadership & Professional
The school has leadership opportunities through participation in Cosmopolitan Events Company, developing project management and teamwork skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has a broad sports program including Football, Girls Football, Gymnastics and Judo, plus Self-defence, Parkour, Skateboarding and dance, fostering teamwork, fitness and resilience.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of communication and instruction. German is the second language and is taught according to the Berlin Rahmenlehrplan, with German Language Development (GLD) support for learners. BCS strives for bilingualism by the end of the tenth grade, preparing students for the MSA and the option to pursue either the Abitur in German or the IB Diploma Programme. Language Development (LD) supports English, German, Spanish and French at three levels, and mother tongue materials and clubs support multilingualism; over 70% of students speak English as an additional language.

Bilingual Teaching
BCS is bilingual, with English as the primary language of instruction and German taught as a second language. All classroom teachers are native English speakers or fluent in English. The school aims for bilingualism by the end of the tenth grade, preparing students for the German MSA and for either the German Abitur or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Immersion Programs
English immersion begins in the Early Years programme. German Language Development (GLD) support is available for lower-level learners, with five forty-five minute German lessons per week. Language Development (LD) provides three levels of support for English, German, Spanish and French. The programme also offers mother tongue language clubs and reading materials in multiple languages through the media centre.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Application. Families interested in sending their children to Berlin Cosmopolitan School should complete the online application form. There is a non-refundable application fee for primary and secondary school of 50 EUR due at the time of application. You must complete the first page to receive your login details, and you will not be able to edit the application after submission. After submitting, you will receive an email with your login details and you can check the status of your application; the school can accept only complete applications with all required documents.

2. Kindergarten & Preschool documents. For Kindergarten & Preschool, provide a photo of the applicant(s) (passport/face photo) in JPEG or PNG format. If applicable, upload a document proving sole custody. Children must be at least one year old before entering Kindergarten; applications from parents with unborn children cannot be accepted; submit after birth. You can start the application process, save it, and continue later if you do not have all required documents.

3. Primary & Secondary information. For Primary School & Secondary School, provide a photo of the applicant(s) in JPEG or PNG format. Submit the 2 most recent school reports translated into English or German (PDF); Grade 1 applicants must include a letter of recommendation or evaluation from a teacher or kindergarten director. Include credit card details for payment of the application fee and, if applicable, upload any sole custody documents.

4. What happens after you submit. The information you submit will be reviewed. Waiting List: Students are placed on the waiting list until a change of status occurs; no specific timeframe is given; check your personal dashboard for updates; priority is given to siblings; the admissions process does not use a numbering system. Meeting & Trial Day: If a place becomes available, primary and secondary applicants are invited to an entrance test and, if necessary, a meeting and a trial day; Kindergarten applicants are invited to an introductory interview. Offer: After assessment, a place may be offered; if no places are available, the child is moved to the top of the waiting list; a contract is sent with seven working days to review and return; contracts become valid after the voucher is handed in.

5. Confirmation. Upon signing and returning the contract and completing required documents, your child is enrolled. Do not contact the school office for details of your application status; use your personal login for updates. The application is valid for one year, after which all information is deleted for data protection.

Waitlist
Waiting List: Students are placed on the waiting list until a change of status occurs; no specific timeframe is given; check your personal dashboard for updates; priority is given to siblings; the admissions process does not use a numbering system.
School Events
The school has not added events
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