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International School Ruhr

Germany, Düsseldorf

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €12,250 - 19,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2010
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages German, Spanish
Strengths Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

IS Ruhr is a private international English-language day school in Essen, Germany, offering an IB World School curriculum from early years to the IB Diploma Programme. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs for ages 3–11 in English, with inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning. Grades 6–10 are a Middle Years Programme candidate school, Cambridge IGCSE is offered in Grades 9–10, followed by the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. Mittlere Reife after grade 10 via IGCSE and Internationales Abitur after grade 12 are recognised. The campus began in 2010 at Villa Koppers and moved to Moltkeplatz 1 in 2012; the Learn Atelier opened in 2017. IS Ruhr joined ECIS in 2024 and graduated its first cohort in 2024, with MYP candidacy progressing in 2025. English is the language of instruction in primary years. After-school care runs 7:30–8:15 and 16:00/17:00; activities include Drama Club, EY3 piano, and Choir. The Parents' Association supports the school.

Moltkeplatz 61+1, Moltkepl. 61, 45138 Essen, Germany

The Essentials

International School Ruhr has instruction in English.

Location
Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61, Essen, Germany

Stages
Early Years; Primary Years; Secondary Years

Type
Private international English-language day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 30 nationalities represented.

Country affiliation
Germany

School day structure
Early Morning Care starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:15. After School Activities run until 17:00 every day.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
School lunches are prepared by a company using fresh produce and regional ingredients wherever possible. Vegetarian alternatives are available daily.

Governance and Ownership
The school is owned by SBW Haus des Lernens AG, a Swiss educational group. IS Ruhr is an IB World School with Primary Years Programme authorization and Diploma Programme authorization; the Middle Years Programme is a candidate.
Fees

Annual tuition at International School Ruhr ranges from EUR 12,250 to EUR 19,000 for 2026/27.

Annual tuition and one-time fees (2025/2026 academic year)

- Early Years (EY1–EY3, ages 3–6): EUR 12,250 per year. Additional care options:
- Early morning care (07:30–08:00): EUR 675 per year.
- After-school care (15:30–17:00; Wednesdays 12:30–16:00): fee depends on booked activities (amounts not listed).

- Primary School (Grade 1–5): EUR 17,300 per year. Additional care options:
- Early morning care (07:30–08:00): EUR 675 per year.
- After-school care (15:30–17:00; Wednesdays 12:30–16:00): fee depends on booked activities (amounts not listed).

- Secondary School:
- Grades 6–8: EUR 17,650 per year (08:15–15:35; Wednesdays until 12:35).
- Grades 9–10: EUR 17,650 per year (08:15–15:35; Wednesdays until 12:35). Exam fees: charged separately according to published IGCSE exam fees.
- Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma Programme): EUR 19,000 per year (08:15–15:35; Mondays + Thursdays coaching until 16:00). Exam fees: charged separately according to published IB exam fees.

- One-time fee at enrolment / admission:
- Admissions fee (one-time): EUR 3,500.

Additional charges and inclusions

- The published annual tuition amounts include online course books and materials, access to teaching and learning software, subsidies towards some school field trips, and pastoral support included within the school fees.

- Exam fees for external examinations (IGCSE and IB) are not included in the annual tuition and are charged according to the examination bodies' published rates.

- After-school activity charges are billed separately where applicable; specific per-activity amounts are not shown in the published fee schedule.

Boarding

- The school operates as a co-educational day school; no boarding fee line items are published.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The published 2025/2026 school-fee document lists annual tuition amounts but does not specify a billing schedule, instalment options, invoice timing, or late-payment terms in the published fee overview. (The school calendar for 2025/26 shows an academic structure with a first-semester end date of 30 January 2026 and 180 school days, but that calendar does not define fee instalment dates or payment deadlines.)

Other costs not itemised with amounts in the published fee document

- No explicit amounts for school uniform, transport/bus fees, catering/meals (if charged separately), insurance, or specific extracurricular activity fees are shown in the published 2025/2026 fee summary. Exam and certain activity fees are listed as charged separately.

Refunds

- A refund policy (for example, pro-rata refunds on withdrawal, refund deadlines, or conditions for refund of the admissions fee) is not specified in the published 2025/2026 fee document.

Fee payment options

- The published fee overview for 2025/2026 does not specify accepted payment methods (bank transfer, SEPA, credit card, direct debit, or other).

Brief note on gaps in the published fee information

- The school's published 2025/2026 fee overview provides clear annual tuition figures by year group and a one-time admissions fee, and it lists early-morning-care pricing where applicable. The published document does not supply per-term instalment amounts, a formal billing schedule, payment-method options, a detailed list of extras (uniform, transport, meal plans) with prices, nor a stated refund policy; exam fees and after-school activity fees are indicated as payable in addition to tuition but specific amounts are not given.
Academics

International School Ruhr teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
IS Ruhr is an IB World School offering education from early years to the IB Diploma Programme. Primary Years follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11, with inquiry-based and transdisciplinary learning. Grades 6–8 follow an inquiry-based approach and IS Ruhr is a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Grades 9–10 follow the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Grades 11–12 pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). Mittlere Reife is recognised after grade 10 via IGCSE, and Internationales Abitur after grade 12, while the IB Diploma entitles graduates to study at universities worldwide.

Exam Results
IB Diploma results since 2020 surpass the world average. The Diploma Programme is described as a preparation for university worldwide.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have access to top German and international universities through the dual Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma programmes. The IB Diploma is generally recognised as a school-leaving certificate in Germany and is widely accepted by universities worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care is tailor-made by teachers; sessions allow students to clarify learning questions, review progress, and set new learning goals; personality development is part of the coaching.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction in Early Years; the school provides English as an Additional Language support.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care supports mental wellbeing through regular sessions, enabling reflection and goal-setting with teachers as part of personal development.
Parent Experience

History
IS Ruhr opened in 2010 with a grand opening at Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61 in Essen for the 2010/2011 school year. It is owned by SBW Haus des Lernens AG, a Swiss educational group, and follows the International Baccalaureate framework. The school moved to larger premises at Moltkeplatz 1 in 2012 and was accredited for the Cambridge IGCSE in 2013 and for the IB Diploma Programme in 2015. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020 and graduated its first entire cohort in 2024. IS Ruhr became an IB MYP Candidate School in 2025 and joined ECIS in 2024.

Community
IS Ruhr is a thriving international community of over 30 nationalities. The school encourages involvement from parents in a variety of events held throughout the year to support students' learning and celebrate the school's diverse community. Staff, students and parents enjoy close working relationships that contribute to a caring learning environment.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
IS Ruhr Parents' Association is a dedicated group of parents committed to enhancing the educational experience for our children. It is a dynamic community where parents can collaborate, share ideas, and work together to support the school and its students. The association believes that by working together, we can create a positive and enriching environment for our children to thrive. The group coordinates and participates in school events and activities to support the learning community. Interested in joining? Scan the QR code in the IS Ruhr_Parents' Association Flyer 2025-26 to access the membership form.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
IS Ruhr is located at Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61 + 1, Essen. The school opened at Villa Koppers for the 2010/2011 school year. It moved to Moltkeplatz 1 in Essen in 2012, within walking distance of Villa Koppers. In 2017, the Learn Atelier, an autonomous learning environment, opened at Moltkeplatz 1.

Academic Facilities
IS Ruhr offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Early Years and Grades 1–5 with English as the language of instruction in the primary school. It is authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. IS Ruhr is a Middle Years Programme (MYP) candidate school for Grades 6–10, pursuing IB World School authorization. Cambridge IGCSE is offered as part of the programme for Grades 9–10.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Early Morning & After School Care runs from 7:30 until the start of school (8:15), and After School Care ends at 17:00 (16:00 on Wednesdays). After School Activities include Drama Club, Piano lessons (EY3 only) and Choir. Separate registration is required for Early Morning and After School Care.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 11, the Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10, and the Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. English is the language of instruction. The IB and Cambridge curricula emphasize inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning, and students develop 21st-century skills through Approaches to Learning such as critical thinking, research, communication, self-management and social skills.

Arts & Creative
After School Activities include Drama Club, Piano lessons (EY3 only) and Choir. These activities develop creativity and provide opportunities for interaction with peers across age groups in a supervised setting.

Social & Hobbies
After School Activities give students the chance to engage with peers after the school day. Drama Club, Piano, and Choir foster collaboration, communication and social interaction in a supervised environment.

Community & Service
IS Ruhr has a Parents' Association that is a dedicated group of parents committed to enhancing the educational experience. Members collaborate to support the school and its students.

Leadership & Professional
IS Ruhr participates in leadership development and events; the Head of School represented the school at the ECIS Leadership Conference 2025.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
IS Ruhr offers Early Morning & After School Care to provide childcare outside official school hours: Early Morning Care starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:15; After School Care ends at 17:00, except Wednesdays when it ends at 16:00. After School Activities run until 17:00 every day except Wednesdays when they end at 16:00.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is offered in the Early Years and Primary Years for students aged 3 to 12. Cambridge IGCSE is taught in Grades 9 and 10. The Diploma Programme (DP) is taught in Grades 11 and 12. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a candidate school; the school is pursuing IB authorization for the MYP.
Reputation

Awards
ECIS Membership (2024) – recognition enabling professional development and collaboration within ECIS.

Accreditations
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorization (2013) to deliver PYP for Early Years and Primary Years; Cambridge IGCSE provider accreditation and Cambridge International Examinations examination centre (2013); IB Diploma Programme (DP) authorization (2015) to offer the Diploma Programme; Middle Years Programme (MYP) Candidate School (2025); pursuing authorization as an IB World School.
Admissions

Admissions
IS Ruhr welcomes new students year-round. Entry is possible at any time, provided age and academic requirements are met. To begin the process, complete the enquiry form on the online platform MySchool; an admissions team member will contact you to continue. During online admission, upload a confidential recommendation from your child's current school (Grades 1–12), three years of previous school reports, a copy of the child's passport, and the immunization record against measles. Admissions by stage: Early Years 1–3 accepts entrants at any time if age and academic requirements are met; Primary Years 1–5 can start at any time if space is available, with all documents received and up to three trial days in the potential class before a final decision; Secondary Years 6–12 can start at any time if places are available, after a placement test in English and Mathematics, followed by trial days and, for Grades 9–12, an interview with the Head of Secondary Years. The final stage is signing the contract and being informed of the start date. Apply now—limited places available. There is a Parent Referral Programme; for 2025–26 there are waiting lists in the Primary Years, so the Early Years Centre is the best route to secure a place.

Scholarships
Scholarships/Financial Assistance is available only for students entering Grades 1–12 (not for Early Years). Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are welcome from December to 31 January 2026. Applicants submit an Application Form, a confidential recommendation from their current school (for new students), full academic reports from the past two years, a personal statement, and family tax/financial documentation as requested. Short-listed candidates are invited to an interview at school and must complete an English proficiency test; final offers will be communicated by mid-March 2026. Scholarships/Financial Assistance are reviewed annually and are not guaranteed beyond the first year. Applications must be submitted in English.

Waitlist
There are waiting lists in the Primary Years; Early Years has spaces, making the Early Years Centre the best way to secure a place.
School Events
The school has not added events
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