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Cologne International School

Germany, Düsseldorf

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees €19,585 - 23,690
Ages 5 - 18 years
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2005
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages English, German, Spanish, French
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Cologne International School (CIS) provides the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) on a campus in Cologne, Germany, with on-site boarding for up to 20 international students. The school opened its campus in Butzweilerhof in 2022 on a 19,000 m² site, featuring bright classrooms, dedicated PYP, MYP and DP spaces, science labs, art rooms and maker spaces, plus an indoor gym and outdoor play areas. The primary program is bilingual (German-English); from Grade 6 onward instruction is mainly in English to support IB preparation and international qualifications. CIS offers Cambridge Secondary and Cambridge IGCSE in addition to the IB. The school hosts a broad extracurricular program: sports (tennis, athletics, football, basketball), performing and creative arts (theatre, art, video production, choir, big band, music theatre), language clubs (Spanish, French, German, English) and clubs such as Model United Nations and an Honors Program. Community service and exchange projects extend learning beyond campus.

Rudi-Conin-Straße 10, 50829 Köln, Germany

The Essentials

Cologne International School has instruction in English, German.

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.

Stages
Primary Years Programme (Grades 1–5); Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10); Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).

Type
The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum with an on‑campus Boarding House.

Additional learning support
Language support is available for newcomers to English or German; small class sizes and individualized attention.

Country affiliation
Germany

Bus service
Daily shuttle between the old Widdersdorf campus and the new site.
Diving Deeper

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.

Food Options
Healthy meals are served daily, and all students eat together.

Governance and Ownership
The school is operated by Internationale Friedensschule Köln GmbH.
Fees

Annual tuition at Cologne International School ranges from EUR 19,585 to EUR 23,690 for 2026/27.

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.
Academics

Cologne International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
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.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes of 12 to 22 students per class.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates earn the IB Diploma and gain admission to leading universities worldwide.

Gifted and Talented
Honors Program.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

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.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

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.

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.
Parent Experience

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.

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.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a PTA.
Facilities

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.

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.

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.

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 Activities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leadership & Professional
Model United Nations is offered as part of clubs. An Honors Program is offered. The clubs run from grades 1 through 12.

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).
Languages

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.

Bilingual Teaching
The Primary School offers bilingual instruction, with classes taught in both German and English.
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.

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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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