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Deutsch-Franzosisches Gymnasium Saarbrucken

Germany, Saarbrucken

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1961
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish, Latin, Italian
Strengths Languages, STEM, Sport
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium Saarbrücken is a Franco-German high school in Saarbrücken delivering a bespoke, binational curriculum from Year 4. German and French are core languages, with English as a lingua franca, and a fourth foreign language option (Spanish, Italian or Latin) introduced later. From Year 10, instruction is divided roughly equally between French and German, and the Abitur exams reflect this bilingual balance. The school promotes mobility through exchanges and partnerships with schools abroad, including Erasmus+ and eTwinning. Opened in 1961 as the first binational gymnasium model recognized by both France and Germany, it culminated in the joint Abitur in 1972. Facilities include a CDI library with books in German, French, English, Spanish and Italian; a laboratory; a chemistry classroom; a multipurpose room for performances; and a music room for concerts. A cafeteria offers a midday meal. Clubs include Robotics and Student Exchange, fostering language learning and intercultural competence.

Halbergstraße 112, D-66121 Saarbrücken, Germany

The Essentials

Deutsch-Franzosisches Gymnasium Saarbrucken has instruction in German, French.

Location
Halbergstraße 112, 66121 Saarbrücken, Germany

Stages
Lower Secondary Level (Years 5–9); Upper Secondary Level (Years 10–12)

Type
Franco-German public high school with German and French sections; bilingual curriculum from Year 4

Country affiliation
Germany and France (Franco-German network)

School day structure
School rhythm runs 08:00–16:10. Periods (1–9) run as: 08:00–08:45; 08:50–09:35; 09:50–10:35; 10:40–11:25; 11:40–12:25; 12:30–13:15; 13:45–14:30; 14:35–15:20; 15:25–16:10. There are breaks after periods 2 and 4 (15 minutes each) and a 30-minute break after period 6. No afternoon lessons up to Year 7; from Year 8 onwards there is one afternoon lesson per week.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Healthy and varied meals are important for students' health. The school hosts a cafeteria and offers a full midday meal. Students, parents, and teachers may also use the adjacent Police canteen on Mainz Street, open to them since a 2008 cooperation agreement between the DFG and the Landespolizeidirektion; a varied lunch is prepared by professionals following modern healthy nutrition principles, with the current menu available in the downloads area.

Governance and Ownership
The Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium Saarbrücken is a state school of Saarland (established in 1977). Since 1992, the school has been sponsored by the Saarbrücken City Association (Stadtverband Saarbrücken).
Fees
Application fees

- There is no separate application fee for enrolling pupils; the school's standard enrolment form is used for admissions and does not require a payment.

Tuition fees (per school year / per term / by year group)

- There are no tuition fees charged for attendance at the Deutsch‑Französisches Gymnasium Saarbrücken. The school operates under public authorities and with regional/ministry partners and does not levy annual tuition for pupils.

Mandatory and routine fees by year group (per year / per term):

- Schoolbook/media loan (optional participation): a single Leihentgelt of EUR 160 for the schoolbook/media loan for the 2025/2026 scheme (covers loan of textbooks, selected readers and workbooks; participation is by contract for the duration of the pupil's attendance). Payment deadlines and conditions apply.

- After‑school care (Etude‑FGTS) — applies only to pupils registered for the FGTS programme (not a tuition charge for school attendance):
- “Kurze Gruppe” (short group): EUR 360 per year, collected in 12 monthly instalments of EUR 30 each.
- “Lange Gruppe” (long group): EUR 720 per year, collected in 12 monthly instalments of EUR 60 each.
- Imbiss/Snack contribution for FGTS (additional small fee): for the Kurze Gruppe EUR 30 per year (two instalments of EUR 15), for the Lange Gruppe EUR 50 per year (two instalments of EUR 25).

- School‑provided extras and optional items (examples applicable to pupils across year groups):
- School clothing (DFG T‑shirts and pullovers) sold via the school association: T‑shirt EUR 15; pullover EUR 25. Payment is accepted in cash or by bank transfer to the school association account.
- Lockers: lockers are offered through an external provider (monthly rental); the school page confirms availability but does not specify the monthly price on its information page. Contracts and billing are handled by the locker provider.
- Canteen / cafeteria meals: a full lunch service and cafeteria are available; meal prices are charged locally through the canteen system and are not set as a single school tuition line. Current menus are published for reference.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Schoolbook/media loan: the Leihentgelt must be paid by the date indicated for the scheme (payment for the 2025/2026 loan is required by 1 June 2025 to trigger book issue for new participants). Registration deadlines apply for new pupils. Payment is made by bank transfer to the school's schoolbook account using the required payment reference.

- Etude‑FGTS after‑school care:
- The FGTS annual contribution is collected in 12 monthly SEPA instalments, each due on the 2nd working day of the month. The first instalment is taken in August and the final instalment in July (example shown for the 2026/2027 FGTS year). The Imbiss contribution is collected in two instalments (dates given in the FGTS registration terms). Registration for FGTS is binding for the school year; late changes are restricted and cancellations carry financial consequences (see details below). Payments are collected by SEPA direct debit under the Etude‑DFG UG mandate.

- School association items (DFG clothing) and similar purchases: payment options published for these items include cash or bank transfer to the school association account; buyers must use the payment reference requested by the association.

Boarding / boarding fees

- Boarding is not operated as part of the school's provision. The school publishes after‑school care (Etude‑FGTS) and day‑time services; no school boarding (internat) programme or boarding fees are listed. After‑school care is charged where pupils are enrolled (see FGTS fees above).

Other costs or fees

- Textbooks and materials: pupils may either use the schoolbook loan (Leihentgelt) or procure their own copies as directed by the published book lists. The loan fee listed for 2025/26 is EUR 160. Additional costs for consumables, selected readers, subject‑specific materials, school trips and certain extra‑curricular activities may apply and are billed separately when organised.

- Lockers: monthly rental via an external provider; sign‑up and fees are handled through the locker company (monthly price not published on the school page).

- Canteen: meals are charged as used; the cafeteria and an external police canteen partnership provide paid lunches. Specific meal prices are not listed as a consolidated tuition item.

- School association purchases (e.g., clothing, fundraising items): prices vary by item; the association's bank details are published for transfers. Example prices published for DFG items: T‑shirt EUR 15, pullover EUR 25.

Refunds and cancellation / withdrawal terms

- Etude‑FGTS (after‑school care): registration for the FGTS is binding for the school year once accepted. An automatic free cancellation occurs if the pupil is deregistered from the school. Absent that, an individual withdrawal from the FGTS is possible only in exceptional cases and generally takes effect at the end of the following month when accepted in writing. If a cancellation is submitted after November, the remaining instalments for the FGTS annual contribution become due. The SEPA mandate wording also notes the payer's right to request a refund of a SEPA debit within eight weeks starting from the debit date (standard SEPA rule referenced in the FGTS contract).

- Schoolbook/media loan: participation is contractual for the school attendance period. New pupils who do not want to participate must deregister by the published deadline (example: deregistration deadline for the 2025/26 loan was 12 May 2025). All loaned items must be returned in acceptable condition at the end of the loan period; damage replacement rules apply. Specific refund handling (if any) for the loan fee is governed by the loan conditions and any local administrative rules.

- School association purchases and external services (lockers, trips, external providers): refund and cancellation rules depend on the supplier or activity organiser and are handled according to the supplier's or organiser's terms. The school's pages point to the relevant contract or provider for these items.

Accepted payment methods and account details (key options)

- Etude‑FGTS after‑school care: SEPA direct debit (automatic collection in monthly instalments) is the stated payment method for FGTS contributions; the Etude‑DFG UG bank account is shown for administrative purposes.

- Schoolbook/media loan: payment by bank transfer using the specified schoolbook account (IBAN and BIC shown on the loan information). Use the required payment reference (pupil name and upcoming class). Example IBAN for the 2025/26 loan payment instruction: IBAN DE47 5905 0101 0000 7261 90 (Sparkasse Saarbrücken).

- School association items (DFG clothing, donations to ALFA e.V.): bank transfer to the ALFA e.V. account or cash where indicated. Example ALFA IBAN shown for association payments: IBAN DE16 5905 0101 0000 7117 13.

- Lockers and other third‑party services: invoiced/collected by the external provider; payment method follows the provider's contract (the school page directs parents to the external locker provider).

Summary — the practical fee picture

- No tuition or application fee is charged for attending the DFG Saarbrücken; the school is publicly operated and partners with regional/state bodies. Routine, itemised fees are limited to optional or service items: the schoolbook loan (example 2025/26 Leihentgelt EUR 160), optional after‑school care (FGTS: EUR 360 or EUR 720 per year depending on the model, with specified monthly instalments and snack charges), canteen charges for meals, and optional purchases through the school association (e.g., DFG clothing). Lockers and some services are provided by external contractors and billed separately. Payment methods are bank transfer, SEPA direct debit (for FGTS), and cash where explicitly allowed for association items.
Academics

Deutsch-Franzosisches Gymnasium Saarbrucken teaches Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
The curriculum is fundamentally multilingual: German, French and English are core languages, with a fourth foreign language option (Spanish, Italian or Latin) introduced at a later stage. German–French bilingualism and English as a lingua franca underpin teaching and intercultural competence. From Year 10 (Seconde) onwards, the languages of instruction are divided equally, with roughly half of lessons conducted in French and half in German. The languages are also divided equally in the written and oral Abitur examinations. The program promotes mobility through exchanges and partnerships with schools abroad, including Erasmus+ and eTwinning.

Higher Education Progression
The Franco-German Abitur entitles graduates to all rights of the German Abitur in Germany and the French Baccalauréat in France; no language test is required before beginning university studies in either country, and graduates can enroll directly at universities.

Gifted and Talented
Junior Study Programme allows senior pupils to take courses at Saarland University alongside their regular studies, with supervision by Ms Hawke-Pasterkamp. The school also participates in national competitions such as the Bundeswettbewerb Fremdsprachen (National Foreign Language Competition) and the National Mathematics Competition, offering Solo and Team categories for various year groups.
Parent Experience

History
Opened on 25 September 1961, the Deutsch-Französisches Gymnasium (DFG) Saarbrücken was the first binational gymnasium model based on educational objectives recognized in both France and Germany. It began as a cooperative arrangement between a German and a French secondary school while harmonized curricula were developed, and it was intended as a symbol of the still-developing German–French understanding. The work culminated in the 1972 Abitur agreement establishing German–French gymnasia and the joint Abitur, with the first joint Abitur awarded in June 1972. The model was hailed as a precursor of European educational integration, and in the 1970s two more partner schools were founded in Freiburg im Breisgau and Buc near Versailles. Since 1977 the DFG Saarbrücken has been a state school of Saarland, with the sponsoring authority since 1992 the Saarbrücken City Association.

Community
The school has a binational student representation whose members represent student interests and act as a liaison between students and teachers and the school leadership. They are members of the School Council and participate in decisions affecting school life. The school also has a binational parent representation that coordinates parent–teacher communication and organizes parent meetings, representing parental interests in the school's leadership and in Saarland and French authorities. The ALFA school association coordinates numerous activities and events throughout the year and supports projects, including the Camaret summer program and various open-house, fundraising, and student initiatives.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
ALFA e.V. Saarbrücken is the school's parent association (Schulförderverein). It raises funds through member contributions, donations, sponsorships, and voluntary work to actively shape the school environment. ALFA organizes and supports numerous activities and events, including 12 school events per year with stands and refreshments, the UNICEF Run, and open-house and festival activities, and coordinates the Camaret summer program for about 50 students from Saarbrücken, Buc, and Freiburg. It also funds teaching materials and student welfare projects, such as class-trip subsidies, class-outing subsidies, protective tablet sleeves for new students, welcome gifts, and prizes for competitions, and supports the chess club and digital education resources. Membership costs at least €20 per year, and ALFA welcomes new members and volunteers to help with events and school projects.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a multilingual library (CDI) with books in German, French, English, Spanish and Italian. It has a fully equipped laboratory in addition to a traditional chemistry classroom. A multipurpose room is used for performances and events, and a music room hosts concerts and rehearsals. The school provides a cafeteria and offers a full midday meal; the adjacent police canteen on Mainz Street is available under a cooperation agreement.

Sports Facilities
The school offers a variety of sports through clubs including Badminton, Football, and Table Tennis.

Academic Facilities
The school has a fully equipped laboratory in addition to a traditional chemistry classroom. The library (CDI) offers books in German, French, English, Spanish and Italian.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Badminton; Caméléon Magazine; Cambridge Certificates Preparation Centre; English Club (Grade 5); European Student Parliament; Fast Track English; Football; French Application Documents; Reading Club; Mathematics Club; Mediators; Orchestra; Out of the Box; Robotics; Chess; School Garden; School Medics; Steiger KI; Table Tennis.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a Junior Study Programme for advanced students; Competitions; Career Guidance.

Arts & Creative
Classroom Projects; IT Projects; Media + Methods; H5P – Interactive Exercises; OSS – Online Learning Platform; SteigerKI; Clubs.

Cultural & Language
Student Exchange; German Foreign Language Competition; language-related activities.

Social & Hobbies
Clubs & Projects; Quiz Nights; Märchenhafte Lesenacht (Fairytale Reading Night); After-School Activities.

Community & Service
Help & Counselling; Partners; Student Council; Parents' Council.

Leadership & Professional
Career Guidance; Junior Study Programme; Student Council.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport; After-School Care; Holiday Care.
Languages

Language Provision
German and French are the core languages of instruction. English is taught as lingua franca. Optional languages include Spanish, Italian, or Latin as a fourth language. From Grade 10 onward, instruction is distributed roughly 50/50 between German and French.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides bilingual German-French education within a binational structure. German and French are the languages of instruction across the two language departments, with about half of classes conducted in each language from Grade 10 (Seconde) onward. English is taught as a lingua franca. The curriculum is multilingual: German – French – English, with optional Spanish, Italian, or Latin as a fourth language.

Immersion Programs
Some subjects in the middle years are taught partly in the language of the partner country, supporting bilingual proficiency within the German-French program. This immersion-style approach is part of the school's multilingual curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions window for Class 5 intake (school year 2026/27) runs from Wednesday, February 25, 2026 to Tuesday, March 3, 2026, with daily hours 08:00–15:00; a Saturday session is offered on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 08:00–12:00. 2. The Registration Form for Class 5 for the 2026/27 school year is available as PDF and Word documents. 3. Documents to submit: the completed registration form; for students coming from a German primary school, the original half-year report with a development report; for students coming from a French primary school, a copy of the half-year or trimester report; and a copy of the birth certificate or family register. 4. Measles vaccination is required; provide one of the following: a vaccination certificate showing measles vaccination, or a medical certificate confirming immunity, or a medical certificate proving complete vaccination, or a medical certificate indicating a medical contraindication to vaccination, or a medical confirmation from a health authority or another institution confirming that the proof has already been provided. 5. If there are questions, submit them via the contact form. 6. For entry to Grade 6, entrance tests (Tests d'entrée) for 6ème are scheduled for May 9, 2026. 7. Contact details: Lycée Franco-Allemand Saarbrücken, Halbergstraße 112, D-66121 Saarbrücken; phone +49 681 996810; email information@dfg-lfa.org.

Scholarships
Julie Neumann, a 2019 graduate, received the AEFE and French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Excellence‑Major scholarship for AEFE students who will study in France. The France Excellence‑Major program (formerly Excellence‑Major) supports top foreign graduates to pursue higher education in France, with ongoing financial and pedagogical support for about five years, co‑funded by AEFE and the MEAE.
School Events
The school has not added events
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