doris
Currency
H

Heidelberg International School

Germany, Heidelberg

Save school

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Profile checked by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €14,240 - 19,400
Ages 4 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2000
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages German, Spanish, English
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Heidelberg International School (HIS) is an IB World School in Germany offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme on a campus. The school serves students from age 4 to 18, with English as the language of instruction, German lessons at all levels, and Spanish offered in grades 6–10. The school day runs 08:15–15:10, with DP extending to 16:00; lunch is provided by a caterer. Class sizes are around 23, with 250–300 students on campus. The IB curriculum guides learning from inquiry‑based PYP through MYP with Language Acquisition in English, German and Spanish, to the Diploma Programme, including Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service. The school promotes service and community involvement through projects, supported by MaiaLearning for university guidance. In 2026, DP results showed a high of 44, an average of 37,5 and 100% pass; graduates pursue universities in Europe, the USA, Canada and the UK.

Wieblinger Weg 7, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany

The Essentials

Heidelberg International School has instruction in English.

Location

The school is located at Wieblinger Weg 7, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany. It serves students aged 4–18 and operates as a single‑stream IB World School.

Stages

The school offers three International Baccalaureate programmes for students aged 4 to 18: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).

Type

K-12, non-profit, IB World School offering PYP, MYP and DP. All courses are taught in English, with language-specific courses as required.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Nationalities represented: 37.

Country affiliation

Germany

School day structure

School opens 08:15; there are morning and lunch breaks; dismissal at 15:10.
Diving Deeper

Food Options

Lunch is vegetarian and non-vegetarian and is delivered by a local caterer. The costs are not included in the school fees. Water is available for all students and staff, and students may bring packed snacks and lunches from home.

Governance and Ownership

The school is a nonprofit GmbH (gemeinnützige GmbH) with independent sponsorship. Managing Directors are Allyn Raw and Nathalie Sommer. The registration court is Mannheim HRB 707209.
Fees

Annual tuition at Heidelberg International School ranges from EUR 14,240 to EUR 19,400 for 2026/27.

Application & Entrance Fees

- Administration (application / re-enrolment) fee: EUR 395. Payment is required with an Application for Admission and on each re‑enrolment.
- Entrance Fee (new students, charged for the first two years of enrolment): First year EUR 3,200; Second year EUR 3,000. The first instalment is due on acceptance of an offer; the second instalment is due when re‑enrolling for the second year. Prior Entrance Fee payments are credited for students returning within five years.

Tuition fees by year group (annual, 10‑monthly instalment shown where published)

- Early Primary 1 or Early Primary 2: Annual EUR 16,870 · 10 monthly instalments EUR 1,750. Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) — EUR 5,623 (calculated).
- Grade 1, 2, 3 or 4: Annual EUR 19,100 · 10 monthly instalments EUR 1,980. Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) — EUR 6,367 (calculated).
- Grade 5, 6, 7 or 8: Annual EUR 21,300 · 10 monthly instalments EUR 2,210. Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) — EUR 7,100 (calculated).
- Grade 9 or 10: Annual EUR 23,200 · 10 monthly instalments EUR 2,400. Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) — EUR 7,733 (calculated).
- Grade 11 or 12: Annual EUR 23,400 · 10 monthly instalments EUR 2,430. Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) — EUR 7,800 (calculated).

Note: Tuition fees are charged as an annual amount; the school publishes the option to pay the annual fee up‑front or in 10 monthly instalments. The per‑term figures above are provided as simple annual ÷ 3 calculations for database display; the school does not publish separate per‑term billing amounts.

Technology and other recurring fees

- Technology Fee (Grades 8–12): EUR 300 per year (covers provision of an H.I.S. computer for student use while enrolled).

Costs explicitly not included in Tuition (charged separately)

- School lunches / catering.
- After School Care and After School Activities.
- Local or additional extended field trips beyond the one included trip where specified.
- Graphic calculators, non‑standard art supplies, IB DP Pamoja online course fees and DP examination fees.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoicing: The invoice for tuition and Entrance Fee is issued upon enrolment; the Tuition Fee is an annual fee payable in advance. Unless agreed otherwise, all invoices must be settled within three weeks of the invoice date. Payment is required before the student may attend.
- Instalments and monthly payments: The school offers payment in 10 monthly instalments (published instalment amounts shown above). When monthly payments are used, payment of monthly fees is due on the first day of each month; instalment plans require a separate written agreement. SEPA direct debit is used for instalment/ monthly payment collection when a mandate is granted.
- Late payment and fees: The school may charge a reminder fee of EUR 2.50 per reminder and invoice parents for returned direct debits. If parents fall behind with three monthly payments, the school may demand immediate payment of all fees due; default interest is 5 percentage points above the applicable European Central Bank base rate. The school may exclude a student from classes for unpaid fees and withhold reports until arrears are cleared.

Boarding

- Heidelberg International School is a day school; boarding provision is not applicable.

Other one‑off or incidental costs

- School uniforms, special art supplies, calculators, exam registration fees (IB DP examination fees) and additional course fees are charged separately as applicable. School lunches, after‑school programmes and extra trips are billed in addition to tuition. The Technology Fee for Grades 8–12 is charged annually as noted above.

Refunds and contract termination (summary)

- Administration Fee refund on rejected application: If the school rejects an Application for Admission, EUR 100 is refunded from the Administration Fee; the remainder is not refunded.
- Entrance Fee: The Entrance Fee is not refunded if parents terminate the contract for reasons for which the school is not responsible or if termination is for reasons attributable to the student or parents. Prior Entrance Fee payments are credited for re‑enrolment within five years.
- Termination and Tuition refunds: If the contract is terminated with the required notice to the end of the first half of the school year (see contract notice provisions), tuition for the second half of the school year will be refunded; Administration, Technology and Entrance Fees are not refunded in that case. For an extraordinary valid termination by the parents, tuition is refundable pro rata to the end of the month in which the contract is terminated according to a published sliding scale (example refund schedule for extraordinary termination: Sep 70% refunded, Oct 60%, Nov 50%, Dec 40%, Jan 30%, Feb 20%, Mar 10%, Apr/May/Jun 0%).

Payment methods and bank details

- Currency and method: All school fees are payable in euros and are payable by bank transfer; SEPA direct debit may be used where a mandate is granted. Invoices are sent by email and must be paid without deduction of bank charges.
- Bank details published for fee payment (bank transfer): Account holder H.I.S. gGmbH; Bank: Deutsche Bank AG; IBAN: DE94 1007 0000 0745 7005 00; SWIFT/BIC: DEUTDEBBXXX. Use the student name and invoice number as payment reference.

Notes on discounts and reductions

- Sibling reductions (applies to tuition only, for families paying privately): 10% reduction for the third child; 15% reduction for the fourth child. Long‑term enrolment reduction: a 10% tuition reduction may apply for students enrolled at H.I.S. for at least four full consecutive years. Financial assistance for tuition reductions may be available to a limited number of privately paying families; applications are handled confidentially.
Academics

Heidelberg International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum

The school offers three IB Programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 4 to 19. PYP provides inquiry‑based learning for ages 4 to 10. MYP (ages 11–16) covers a broad range of subjects, with Language Acquisition offered in English, German, and Spanish, and includes Arts, Design, Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical and Health Education. DP (ages 16–19) comprises six subject groups plus core components: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service. Examinations occur in May; in 2025, DP results showed a highest score of 44, an average of 34, and a 100% pass rate. Graduates go on to universities in the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Canada and the UK.

Student Teacher Ratio

Total enrolment is 223 students with 45 teaching staff, giving an approximate student‑to‑teacher ratio of about 5:1. Class size is 23.

Exam Results

Diploma Programme examinations are conducted in May in the final year. In 2026, the highest DP score was 44, the average was 37,5, and the pass rate was 100%. College counselling supports university admissions around the world.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates go to universities in the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. DP results show destinations across these countries, including institutions such as the University of Amsterdam, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh.

Gifted and Talented

Profile Fee includes elements for a bilingual profile such as instruction beyond the timetable, Assistant Teacher, individual support time, Talent Programmes and School Coaches.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

H.I.S. prioritizes social, emotional and intellectual development. The MYP Homeroom Programme focuses on relationships and well-being as a core part of middle-school life, with a dedicated HRP that supports students' personal development and awareness of personal, local and global issues. Homeroom teachers serve as the first point of contact for non-subject concerns and provide guidance during times of success or challenge. The programme includes reflection and goal-setting to foster independent learning and balanced development. It reinforces international-mindedness and responsible action through Service as Action and related activities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The learning community aims to be inclusive, living peacefully together by engaging with different ways of knowing and being and by assuming shared responsibility for learning, health and well-being. The school fosters an inclusive environment where all students have voice and ownership of their learning. The IB-based curriculum emphasizes inclusivity as a core principle across programmes.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Provide additional language support for English language learners, where appropriate.

Mental Wellbeing

The school focuses on social, emotional and intellectual development as part of its approach to well-being. The Homeroom Programme supports relationships and personal development, with a focus on self-management, resilience and reflection to promote balanced well-being for students across the IB programmes.

Safeguarding

H.I.S. treats child safeguarding seriously.
Parent Experience

History

H.I.S. is an IB World School with over 25 years of experience. It serves students aged 4–18 and offers the IB Primary Years Programme, the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. Exam results are consistently above the world average. The school describes itself as a diverse international community where students, families and staff contribute to a shared vision of respect and understanding.

Community

H.I.S. fosters a diverse international community in which students, their families and staff contribute to a shared vision of respect and understanding. The school offers a range of experiences integrated into school life, including Forest Trips and Extended Field Trips for younger students, swimming lessons and bicycle training, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Week Without Walls, Model United Nations and Exordium for older students. Charities form a central part of community life, including the Waldpiraten Run and Make Change Possible, as well as Habitat for Humanity projects. Parents participate through the Parent Sounding Board and the Parent Teacher Group, with many opportunities to engage in school life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Parent Sounding Board is an internal group of H.I.S., which includes parents and members of the school Leadership Team. The purpose of the Parent Sounding Board is to enhance and encourage further communication within the H.I.S. community by advising, counselling and supporting the school management to fulfil the H.I.S. Guiding Statements. There are lots of opportunities for parents to be a part of school life, such as reading to students in the classroom, assisting on field trips, becoming a Class Volunteer Co-ordinator or working within the Parent Teacher Group (PTG). Interaction between home and school is encouraged as it enhances the learning environment of all students. The H.I.S. parent community is seen as a very rich and important asset.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school serves students aged 4 to 18 and is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. English is the language of instruction, with German lessons available at all levels and Spanish offered in grades 6-10. The school operates as a single-stream campus with 250–300 students and typical class sizes around 23. The school day runs from opening at 08:15 to dismissal at 15:10, with Diploma Programme students sometimes extending lessons to 16:00. Lunch is provided by a local caterer with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and water is available; students may also bring lunch.

Sports Facilities

After School Activities include Basketball and Football. Swimming lessons are part of the physical education programme for Grades 3 and 4. The DoE Silver Award is offered to students in Grade 10 as part of the secondary programme. Primary Students participate in Forest Trips and Extended Field Trips as part of HIS experiences.

Academic Facilities

The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. English is the language of instruction, with German lessons at all levels and Spanish offered in grades 6-10. The school day runs from 08:15 to 15:10, with Diploma Programme extended to 16:00. The school is a single-stream campus with 250–300 students and class size around 23.

Extra Curricular Facilities

After School Activities are offered Monday through Thursday and include School Band, Creative Art Class, Chess Club, Photography Club, Dance, Basketball and Football. Primary Students take part in Forest Trips, Extended Field Trips, Swimming Lessons (Grades 3–4) and Bicycle Training. Secondary Students can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Silver) in Grade 10, and Week Without Walls, Model United Nations and Exordium. Charities partnerships are part of the life of the school, including Waldpiraten Run, Make Change Possible and Habitat for Humanity.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

HIS offers three IB programmes: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. All students pursue the full IB Diploma, which requires six subjects over two years and includes the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. The Diploma Programme core includes Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay is a 4,000-word research project. The MYP includes a Grade 10 Personal Project, and Service & Action drives learning beyond the classroom; MaiaLearning supports college counselling to guide university pathways.

Arts & Creative

In the MYP, Arts comprises Performing Arts and Visual Art. The Diploma Programme includes Group 6 Visual Art. Creativity, Activity & Service connects creative practice with learning within the DP.

Cultural & Language

All courses are offered in English, except language-specific courses. Language Acquisition in the MYP includes English, German and Spanish. In the Diploma Programme, language subject groups include Group 1 Language and Literature (English, German) and Group 2 Language Acquisition (German).

Social & Hobbies

After School Activities are offered Monday through Thursday; activities change every semester and may include School Band, Creative Art Class, Chess Club, Photography Club, Dance, Basketball and Football. Participation in some activities can be limited by age groups. After School Care provides supervision for Primary students until 17:30 and offers an opportunity to participate in After School Activities once a week.

Community & Service

Learning beyond the classroom includes Community Service as an important part of the curriculum; students support projects locally and around the world, such as a Community Project in Mayana (Namibia), Habitat for Humanity, and service work in the Heidelberg area. Charities include the Waldpiraten Run and the Waldpiraten Camp. H.I.S. collaborates with Make Change Possible, via Habitat for Humanity activities and other community projects.

Leadership & Professional

Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) Silver is offered to students in Grade 10. Model United Nations participation is open to Secondary students. College counselling supports career development, with MaiaLearning used to facilitate university pathways. Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS) in the Diploma Programme also fosters leadership through student-driven projects.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Primary students participate in Forest Trips, Extended Field Trips, Swimming Lessons and Bicycle Training as part of learning beyond the classroom. Secondary students may take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Week Without Walls, Model United Nations and Exordium weekends. Physical Education is embedded in the curriculum, and After School Activities include sports such as Football and Basketball to support wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision

The school teaches in English as the language of instruction. German is taught at all levels. Spanish is offered in grades 6-10.
Reputation

Awards

null

Accreditations

IB World School authorised for the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP); IBO authorisation; Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education recognition; fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); IBDP results and related details are published by the school.
Admissions

Admissions

Submit the online application form on the H.I.S. website.
https://hischool.openapply.com/apply
A confirmation email from Open Apply provides access to the admissions checklist. The checklist lists the required documents and the bank details for paying the Administration Fee.

Use the Open Apply checklist to upload supporting documents and to transfer the Administration Fee. The checklist includes the list of required documents and the school's bank details. Completing this step moves your application forward to review.

Wait for the result of the application review. Optional interviews can be organised. Enrolment is offered by email.

Fill in, sign and return the Enrolment Contract. Payment of the school fees is due upon receipt of the school fee invoice. For admissions to the Middle Years or Diploma Programme additional English language and academic prerequisites may apply.

Scholarships

A reduction of the Tuition Fees may be possible to encourage social diversity within the school. All applications and related financial information are dealt with on a strictly confidential basis within the school management. For information or to apply for financial assistance, contact the Admissions & Marketing Manager. The form “Application for Tuition Fee Reduction” must be submitted together with documentation of the family's total income, and must be submitted when applying for admission to H.I.S. and annually thereafter when students are re-enrolled.

Waitlist

Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year and will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Availability of space in a classroom may be a limiting factor at any time of the year.
School Events
The school has not added events