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International School OWL

Germany, Paderborn

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €13,600 - 39,600
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum
Taught languages German, English
Typical class size 14
Strengths STEM, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

International School OWL is a private international day and boarding school in Paderborn, Germany, with two campuses: Vogeliusweg 27a (University Campus) and Technologiepark 34 (Technology Park Campus). It blends a German boarding-school standard with an English-language international curriculum. The school offers the International A-Level (German Baccalaureate) programme, with diploma options including the Edexcel International Advanced Level and the German Abitur. Courses are taught in English, with German language study from the start and German language level C1 at the end. The curriculum focuses on 3–4 core subjects and offers two specialist tracks: a technical/scientific Natural Science track and a business/economics track; first-year subjects commonly include Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, and German (PLUS-Option). Classes prepare graduates for university study. Boarding provides private single rooms and 24/7 supervision with full-day care. The facilities are two modern buildings on a campus near the University of Paderborn, equipped with digital tools and flexible learning spaces. IS OWL has earned Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards for science in Europe (2023, 2024).

Vogeliusweg 27a, 33098 / 33100 Paderborn, Germany

The Essentials

International School OWL has typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.

Location
Center of Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Two school buildings, Vogeliusweg and the Technology Park, are located close to each other. Technologiepark 34, 33100 Paderborn, Germany. Paderborn is a modern, medium-sized city of about 150,000 inhabitants, with nearby metropolises including Bielefeld, Hanover, Kassel and Dortmund.

Stages
Grades 9-12; AS and A Levels offered through Edexcel International Advanced Level; curriculum focuses on 3-4 subjects; language courses tailored to international students; German language instruction runs from A1 to C1; prior German knowledge not required.

Type
Private international day and boarding school

Pupil Nationality Mix
About 95% international students; nationalities include Canada, China, France, Morocco, USA, and many more.

School day structure
All-day care with 24/7 supervision by state-certified staff; full boarding with three meals a day; private single rooms; integrated living and learning environment.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The boarding concept provides private single rooms with lockable doors in small supervised apartments (3–5 residents) close to the campus; 24/7 supervision by state-certified social educators and experienced pedagogical staff; full board with three meals a day and all-day care; joint excursions and group events, and living in an international community that fosters confidence, responsibility and essential life skills.

Food Options
Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided as part of full board.

Governance and Ownership
Privately owned international day and boarding school.
Fees

Annual tuition at International School OWL ranges from EUR 13,600 to EUR 39,600 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees
- A registration (application) fee and an administration/admission fee apply for both day and boarding students.

Tuition fees (annual) — by year group
- Day students (educational programme only): EUR 13,600 per school year. This applies to the upper‑secondary year groups offered (Grades 10–12 / ages 15–18).
- Boarding students (tuition plus full boarding package): EUR 39,600 per school year (total).
- For boarding students from non‑EU countries, the school's calculated school‑fee portion may vary (reported range for the school‑fee component: EUR 13,600–24,000 per year depending on age, nationality and individual requirements); the published total boarding charge is EUR 39,600 p.a.

Tuition fees (per term / billing by period)
- Annual fees above are the published figures. The school's public materials present fees on an annual basis; no fixed per‑term fee schedule with amounts for each term is published in the publicly available fee pages.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are payable in advance and are due before each school year of the programme; the school states that costs are due prior to each of the (up to) three school years in its programme structure.

Boarding package and what is included
- The boarding fee is a comprehensive package and includes: accommodation in modern single rooms (single rooms in small supervised apartments), three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), qualified all‑day pedagogical care and tutoring, school tuition, school supplies, bus ticket where applicable, health insurance administration and medical care, and related administration/commitment handling.
- Accommodation is organised as small supervised apartments with 3–5 persons per apartment, a group room and one shared kitchen per apartment.

Other costs and potential additional charges
- The published fee summaries list the items covered by the annual fees (application/administration, tuition, school supplies, accommodation, meals, pedagogical care, bus ticket, health insurance, medical care). No public list of separate uniform charges, exam registration fees or specific extracurricular cost lines is provided on the fee pages.
- Students who require an extraordinary or particularly intensive level of support (examples cited: liaison with authorities, document issuance, intensive visa support, or care for significant physical/mental needs) may be charged higher rates; any differing rates are stated to be communicated prior to signing the school contract.

Refunds, cancellation and contract terms
- No public, detailed refund or cancellation policy with monetary figures or explicit refund deadlines is published on the school's publicly available fee pages. Contractual terms and any refund or cancellation conditions are handled in the school contract and the complete fee list provided by the school.

Fee payment options
- The school's publicly available fee information and fee summary pages do not publish specific, itemised payment methods (for example: which card types are accepted, online payment portals, or bank transfer details). Contact details for the school's admissions/secretariat teams are published for payment and billing arrangements.

Summary of the key published figures (annual)
- Day students (educational programme only): EUR 13,600 per school year.
- Boarding students (total package including tuition): EUR 39,600 per school year.

Note on available public detail: the school's public fee pages present annual totals and list the services included in the day and boarding charges; specific numeric values for one‑off application/registration fees, per‑term invoices, accepted payment methods, and an explicit public refund/cancellation schedule are not published in the publicly accessible fee summary. For contractual details, itemised one‑off fees and formal payment instructions, the school provides a complete fee list and the enrolment contract directly to applicants.
Academics

International School OWL teaches IB (DP), British Curriculum.

Curriculum
The International School OWL offers the International A-Level (German Baccalaureate) programme. The curriculum is designed to meet the standard required for university study and focuses on 3–4 subjects that are most relevant to future study. There are two specialist tracks: a technical/scientific focus (Natural Science) and a business/economics focus. In the technical/scientific track, first-year subjects can include Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, and German (PLUS-Option); in the business/economics track, first-year subjects can include Mathematics, English, Physics, Economics, and German (PLUS-Option). Subjects for subsequent years are similar with options. PLUS-Option subjects are offered only for certain grades. Classes are conducted in English, with a gradual introduction to more English-language instruction. The International A-Level is designed to prepare graduates for university study.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The International School OWL is a private international day and boarding school in Germany. The boarding concept is a core part of the integrated school and living experience. Students enjoy private single rooms with lockable doors and a safe, structured environment designed to support their growth. 24/7 supervision is provided by state-certified social educators and experienced pedagogical staff. Living within an international community helps students develop confidence, responsibility, and essential life skills for their futures.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The teaching language is English. Students study in English and learn German in a modular course from A1 to C1, ending with a telc or TestDaF certificate. The school is an exam centre certified by Pearson, Telc and TestDaF. A prior knowledge of German is not needed. Language courses are tailored to international students, with focus on integrating language development with broader studies.

Mental Wellbeing
Modern learning environments support student wellbeing, complemented by a network of supportive staff. State-certified social educators and pedagogical staff provide supervision and care in a safe, structured setting. Structured routines and an international community foster belonging and personal growth. Boarding life emphasizes independence within a supervised framework, helping students develop resilience and life skills. The environment integrates academic and personal development to support overall wellbeing.

Safeguarding
A safe and structured environment is provided with 24/7 supervision by state-certified social educators and experienced staff. All-day care is delivered by state-certified teachers and professional staff. Private single rooms contribute to safeguarding and a secure living arrangement. The program integrates safeguarding into daily routines and living arrangements to protect students.
Parent Experience

History
The school has two campuses in Paderborn: Vogeliusweg 27a (University Campus) and Technologiepark 34 (Technology Park Campus). It is a private international day and boarding school that combines a German boarding-school standard with a globally oriented English-language curriculum. The diploma options include the Edexcel International Advanced Level (A-Level) and the German Baccalaureate, with classes taught in English and German language study from the start, culminating in level C1 for German. The boarding concept provides private single rooms, 24/7 supervision by state-certified staff, and full-day care. The school is operated by CDC International Academy GmbH, and in 2023 and 2024 IS OWL students were honoured with the Outstanding Pearson Learner Award for best performance in science in Europe.

Community
The school maintains regular parent communication through regular reports, Parents' Days on a regular basis, digital meetings with parents from abroad, and OPEN DAY for local visitors and parents. Parents can meet teachers online or offline and stay up-to-date about their child's progress. There is a News & Blog documenting experiences of day and boarding students, highlighting community life at IS OWL. Small class sizes of 8–12 students support an international, multinational learning community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Two main school buildings, Vogeliusweg (Main Building II) and Technology Park (Main Building I), are located close to each other in Paderborn. Both were built in the last decade. The classrooms are state-of-the-art, and the furniture is modern. Vogeliusweg is on the campus of the University of Paderborn and offers modern, optimally equipped classrooms and spaces for joint learning, plus a Secretariat to assist with questions. The Technology Park building is part of a modern campus complex connected to Vogeliusweg.

Academic Facilities
Vogeliusweg – Main Building II provides modern, optimally equipped classrooms and modern spaces for joint learning; the Secretariat is available to assist staff. The Vogeliusweg location is on the campus of the University of Paderborn, with nearby shopping and transit options; a bus stop with multiple connections is located directly in front of the main entrance. Technology Park – Main Building I has an upgraded classroom block with digital whiteboards, projectors (Beamer), and connections for devices, along with other modern facilities. The technology park is an industrial, scientific and research-oriented center for startups and SMEs, and IS OWL is part of this modern complex.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Sports and other activities are offered as part of the school's extracurricular program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The curriculum combines only 3-4 basic subjects with intensive education to prepare students for their international careers. Focus courses are Natural Science, Mathematics and Economics. Language courses are tailored to international students. Classes are held in English and students are gradually introduced to English-speaking classes.

Arts & Creative
Music lessons are available near the dormitory as part of boarding life. A broad range of activities includes sports and music, with students able to participate in scheduled lessons. Music is highlighted as part of the extracurricular program.

Cultural & Language
Language courses are tailored to international students. Classes are held in English, with gradual introduction to English-speaking classes. German is offered as a PLUS-Option in the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
In everyday school life there are many activities such as visits to the city center, shopping, going to the cinema, cooking together and game nights. The boarding life includes excursions and a variety of sports and leisure activities. The sports program includes soccer, hockey, handball, football, squash, badminton, table tennis, swimming, golf and more.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Boarding life is structured with a professional all-day care concept and 24/7 supervision. Students receive three meals a day and live in single rooms within small supervised apartments, with a shared group room and a common kitchen. The program also includes joint excursions and group events, plus a wide range of sports and music activities to support physical and mental wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction for core subjects. German is taught from the beginning and offered as a PLUS-Option; language courses are tailored to international students. Students can reach C1 in German and English after three years.

Bilingual Teaching
Classes are conducted in English, with German taught from the start. German is available as a PLUS-Option, and students can reach level C1 in both German and English by the end of the three-year program. The German Baccalaureate (International A-Level) is part of the curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Entry and admission requirements. Applicants should be at least 15 years old and have a strong knowledge of English at level B2 or comparable, along with a school leaving certificate or diploma. English proficiency can be demonstrated by English level B1 (for example IELTS 5.5 or equivalent). Classes are held in English. The German language will be taught from scratch, so no German certificate is required. German level C1 is attainable and is required by German universities for bachelor's degree programmes.

2. Submit the application. Applications can be submitted by e-mail, by fax or via the online application form. After submission, the experts begin an initial check of the documents against the stated requirements. They will contact applicants with next steps or requests for additional documents if needed.

3. Application review and next steps. Experts check the application against the requirements and determine whether additional documents are needed. If further documents are required, the experts may request them. When the application meets the criteria, applicants are contacted to discuss enrolment.

4. Start dates and preparatory options. Regular classes begin in October, with preparatory courses offered in some cases to support transition. Different dates may be possible to accommodate individual circumstances.

5. Visa and international student support. The team assists with visa questions and applications for international students. Airport transfer and other services are provided, along with meals and all-day care.

6. Language and integration. Classes are held in English; German language is taught from the start and no prior German knowledge is required. Students can reach German level C1 by the end of the program. The curriculum also offers private tutoring if needed.
School Events
The school has not added events
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