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John F. Kennedy School Berlin

Germany, Berlin

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 5 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1960
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum German Curriculum, American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, German, French, Latin, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Sport, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

John F. Kennedy School Berlin is a public, K-12 German-American bilingual school in Berlin Steglitz-Zehlendorf, serving more than 1,600 students. The program combines a German curriculum with an American approach and offers Advanced Placement in the upper grades, enabling graduates to pursue either the German Abitur or a U.S. High School Diploma. From Elementary through Grade 6, instruction is bilingual, with daily integration of English and German; in Grades 7–12, instruction is balanced across languages, preparing students to graduate fluent in both. The campus at Teltower Damm hosts facilities, including a library serving both language programs, computer labs, a media center, and multiple gyms, plus a year-round rowing option and fields. Extracurriculars abound: Model United Nations, Suzuki violin, choirs, Odyssey of the Mind, and Scouting, alongside the JFK Friendship Center and Hort after-school care. The school emphasizes bicultural, international education and offers language electives such as French, Spanish, and Latin.

Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin, Germany

The Essentials

John F. Kennedy School Berlin has instruction in German, English.

Location
The JFK Berlin campus is at Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin, Germany. It is in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district in southwestern Berlin. The school operates as a German-American public school serving Entrance Class through Grade 12.

Stages
Elementary School (EC - 6th Grade) and High School (7-12), with Entrance Class included.

Type
Public school; German-American bilingual education; day school.

Additional learning support
Student Support Services include Counselors, Abitur Coordinators, Special Education Teachers, Pedagogical Assistants, Registrar and Learning Support.

Country affiliation
Germany and the United States

School day structure
The school day for Grades 1-2 starts at 8:00 and ends at 13:30. Arrival supervision runs from 07:30 to 07:55.

Bus service
Walking or biking; BVG public transportation (bus, U-Bahn, S-Bahn). Nearest S-Bahn: Zehlendorf (Line S1); nearest bus stops: Schönower Park (Bus 285) and Schweizerhofpark (Buses 285 and X10). All Berlin students qualify for a free BVG monthly student ticket.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin does not have boarding facilities. There are no on-site dormitories or housing options for students. The school operates as a day school for all students.

Uniform Requirement
There is no formal school uniform. Students must be neatly dressed in clothing appropriate for an EC-Grade 12, multicultural, school environment. Clothing must not distract from a serious and respectful learning environment.

Food Options
All students have the option to bring their own lunch and drink from home and eat in the school building or in the auditorium. Graefewirtschaft GmbH is the lunch caterer, and lunch costs €4.36 per portion with an online ordering portal; there are also cash payment options. Due to kitchen construction, lunch and snack options are initially limited and snacks are not available at the start of the year.

Governance and Ownership
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin is a Berlin public school governed by Berlin's Educational Directorate and the School Conference. The John F. Kennedy School Trust Fund e.V. is a non-profit organization that supports the school, funded by the U.S. Embassy. The Educational Directorate ensures the binational and bicultural character of the school, with both American and German principals leading the school.
Fees
Application fees

- The John F. Kennedy School (JFKS) does not charge tuition and there is no school application fee for admission to the Entrance Class or grades 1–12.

Tuition fees by school year / year group

- There are no tuition charges for any grade at JFKS; annual tuition for all grade levels is EUR 0.

Billing schedule and payment terms (school-level and related services)

- General school tuition: not applicable because tuition is not charged.

- After-school program (Late Birds): monthly fees are calculated for the whole school year and are charged from August through June; the month of July is not charged. Monthly fees remain payable during student illness, vacation, and other absences and remain due until a termination/cancellation becomes effective. A one-time registration fee applies.

- Hort (city-subsidized after-school care): Hort places are provided under Berlin's voucher system (Bedarfsbescheid/Hortgutschein) and billing/eligibility is handled through the Jugendamt of the family's Berlin district; families must apply for the Hort voucher. Costs for Hort are determined through the municipal process rather than by the school.

Boarding fees

- The John F. Kennedy School does not have boarding facilities; boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and fees (examples and specifics)

- School lunch (Elementary School): school lunch for elementary-school students (Entrance Class–Grade 6) is provided free of charge under Berlin Senat provisions.

- School lunch (Grades 7–12 / High School): warm lunch portions are available and are charged at EUR 4.36 per portion; lunches ordered in the school's web portal/app are charged for binding orders; spontaneous lunch may be paid in cash at the posted price.

- After-school care (Late Birds): monthly fees by grade and package (prices per child, per month):
- Entrance Class (EC) – Mini Package: EUR 85.00; Maxi Package: EUR 155.00.
- Grade 1 – Mini Package: EUR 85.00; Maxi Package: EUR 155.00.
- Grade 2 – Mini Package: EUR 85.00; Maxi Package: EUR 155.00.
- Grade 3 – Mini Package: EUR 70.00; Maxi Package: EUR 125.00.
- Grade 4 – Mini Package: EUR 70.00; Maxi Package: EUR 125.00.
- Grade 5 – Mini Package: EUR 35.00; Maxi Package: EUR 60.00.
- Grade 6 – Mini Package: EUR 35.00; Maxi Package: EUR 60.00.
- One-time Late Birds registration fee: EUR 25.00.
- Late Birds monthly fees are billed August–June (July free); vacation/week-camp charges are billed separately.

- Lockers and Verein membership: the parent-run Verein operates the high-school locker program and the school shop. Current Verein membership and locker-related charges include a one-time high-school locker deposit of EUR 10 (payable in cash when requested) and an annual Verein membership fee used for Verein services; locker assignment and membership are managed through the Verein. (Verein materials indicate membership fees and locker procedures; locker deposit and membership are administered by The Verein.)

- School Shop and merchandise: the Verein School Shop sells school-branded items (hoodies, sweatshirts, mugs, etc.) for reasonable prices; the School Shop accepts cash and digital payment methods via the Shop's payment system.

- Extracurricular / optional program costs: costs for optional activities, field trips, vacation camps, instrument or private lessons, competition travel, and special events are charged separately as applicable; specific amounts vary by activity and are billed or collected when those activities are offered. (Examples on-site include separately billed holiday camps associated with Late Birds and items funded by the Verein.)

Refund information and cancellation terms

- Late Birds: monthly fees are charged for the full school-year months (August–June) and remain payable during illness and absences and until cancellation becomes effective; there is no automatic refund for months already billed once the billing period is in effect. Vacation camp fees are billed separately.

- School lunch: only bindingly ordered lunch portions made through the lunch portal are charged; that ordering process controls whether an individual portion is billed. Spontaneous cash purchases are final at point of sale.

- Hort (EFöB): Hort places and any parental co-payments are managed via the municipal voucher process through the Jugendamt; refund or reduction rules follow the Jugendamt / Hort voucher regulations rather than a JFKS-specific refund policy.

Fee payment options

- School lunch: lunches ordered through the web-based portal/app are paid digitally through the caterer's portal; spontaneous lunch purchases may be paid in cash at the point of sale.

- School Shop (Verein): the School Shop accepts cash, PayPal, EC cards, credit cards, and Apple Pay via the Shop's SumUp payment system.

- Lockers and small on-campus payments: certain small payments (locker deposit, on-site collections) are requested in cash where indicated (example: EUR 10 locker deposit requested as exact change).

- Hort and municipal-subsidized services: Hort placement and any parental contributions are handled through the Jugendamt voucher procedure; payment arrangements follow municipal processes.

- Other optional activities and services: payment methods vary by provider (Verein, caterer, Late Birds provider, external vendors) and are stated at the time of registration; the School Shop and the lunch portal support digital payments where noted.
Academics

John F. Kennedy School Berlin teaches German Curriculum, American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin runs a K–12 bilingual German‑American program. The language program is bilingual, English and German, and all students participate in instruction in both languages. Elementary School (Entrance Class through Grade 2) is taught bilingually with daily integration of both languages; from Grade 3 to Grade 6, all subjects are taught in the first language of the teacher. In High School (Grades 7–12), English- and German-speaking students are taught together, with three homeroom classes per grade mainly in English and three mainly in German (excluding language classes). In Grades 7–10 the goal is 50% instruction in German and 50% in English, with students exposed to both languages by graduation. Spanish, French and Latin are offered as electives, and students can pursue either the German Abitur or a U.S. High School Diploma in Grades 11–12, with the program remaining college preparatory throughout.

Exam Results
German Abitur is the standard track for Grades 11–12, with examinations in spring and a final grade calculated from courses and exams; in 2025 the Abitur average was 1.92. The school also offers an American High School Diploma via a dual-credential option, with AP and other college-prep coursework. AP results for the Class of 2025 show 25 subjects tested, 89 students took AP exams, 232 total exams, 90% of exams earned a score of 3 or above, and 93% of test takers scored a 3 on at least one exam. SAT results for 2024–2025 show a mean of 652 for Reading & Writing, 608 for Mathematics, totaling 1,259. Approximately 90% of JFKS students ultimately attend a university.

Higher Education Progression
Approximately 90% of JFKS students ultimately attend a university. The High School Program offers two credentials: the German Abitur and the U.S. High School Diploma; Abitur graduates can enter German universities and other international universities, while Diploma graduates can gain admission to U.S. universities and institutions worldwide. College & Career counseling supports university admissions, with criteria including high school record, class rank, test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, AP), essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and interviews.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a School Counseling program across Elementary, Middle, and High School. The Elementary School Counselor provides counseling services for Entrance Class through Grade 6 and delivers a three-level guidance curriculum addressing academic and social-emotional counseling, conflict management, self-confidence, decision-making, stress management, crisis counseling, and transitions; the ES Counselor collaborates with the Special Needs Teacher to support accommodations. The Middle School Counselor serves grades 7-9, focusing on study skills and organization, communication and conflict management, goal setting, and stress management, and provides personal-social/emotional, academic, and career support; New Student Orientation is coordinated and Student Ambassadors are trained with support from colleagues. The High School Counselor provides counseling for grades 10-12, oversees course selection and scheduling for the High School Diploma Program and Abitur, coordinates college planning and applications and standardized testing, and serves as the NCAA/NAIA contact for prospective student-athletes, while addressing personal and career issues. The ES and MS counselors also work with families as part of the broader student support network.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school is dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment for all students, including those with special learning needs. It provides accommodations and resources in keeping with the dual-language program and staff capacity. JFKS does not offer a full special education program, and in some cases the special needs of a student are met in a monolingual or smaller classroom setting; however, students with special needs do attend JFKS and are supported with a variety of strategies and resources. The school provides regular professional development for teachers in the areas of special learning needs, differentiation of instruction, and up-to-date support methods, and has secured additional funding to broaden its program. The Elementary School can help students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD, processing disorders, and milder forms of Asperger Syndrome/Autism Spectrum Disorder; the school can serve hearing- and sight-impaired or physically- or mentally-handicapped students if outside support is provided; the Student Support Team includes special education teachers, counselors, and school social workers; formal accommodation plans require a medical diagnosis and are decided by the class conference.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school follows a bilingual language education concept in German and English in the Elementary School, with the goal of providing all students with competence-based, individualized, and continuous support in both languages. Ongoing language observation and diagnostics identify support needs; language-sensitive subject teaching actively promotes academic and everyday language; team teaching supports learning in heterogeneous groups; support for all language learners is provided, with close cooperation with parents. Language development from Entrance Class through Grade 6 combines immersive early-stage bilingual exposure with language support structures, including two Language teachers from Grade 3 onward, differentiated language groups, and a German Intensive Program for new students without German skills.

Mental Wellbeing
The school provides School Counseling across Elementary, Middle, and High School. The Elementary School Counselor addresses academic and social-emotional counseling, conflict management, improving self-confidence, decision-making, stress management, crisis counseling, and transitions, and collaborates with the Special Needs Teacher to support accommodations. The Middle School Counselor addresses study skills, organization, communication, conflict management, decision-making, goal setting, and stress management, and supports students individually on personal-social/emotional, academic, and career issues, coordinating New Student Orientation and Student Ambassadors. The High School Counselor oversees course selection and scheduling for the Diploma and Abitur, college planning and applications, standardized testing, and provides guidance on personal statements, career planning, and stress management.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection Plan (Kinderschutzkonzept) updated in September 2023. It designates a Child Protection Officer and external expert advise, provides an Intervention Plan, and establishes safeguarding procedures for suspected child welfare concerns; safeguarding is a collective responsibility involving all staff and the school community. Every adult has a role in upholding the plan and supervising its implementation, with ongoing monitoring and annual staff training on child protection and code-of-conduct requirements. Recruitment includes explicit reference to the child-protection policy and, for new employees, current extended police clearance certificates; a Binding Code of Conduct requires staff to commit to safeguarding guidelines, and there are explicit guidelines for social media and information handling. The plan is reviewed and revised annually with opportunities for parent training and involvement.
Parent Experience

History
Opened on October 11, 1960 as the German-American Community School, John F. Kennedy School Berlin began with two preparatory classes and both American and German students. In May 1962 the Verein, the Society of Parents and Friends of the German-American-Community School in Berlin, was founded. In April 1963 the school moved to Teltower Damm in Zehlendorf and, after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, was renamed the John F. Kennedy School, German-American Community School. The Berlin state law applying to JFKS was adopted in 1964, the campus was expanded in 1970, and the school earned NEASC accreditation in 1985. Milestones include the first high school graduation in 1971 and the first Abitur graduation in 1972, the founding of the John F. Kennedy Friendship Center around 1983, and anniversaries such as the 50th in 2010 and the 60th in 2020.

Community
The JFKS community is supported by the JFKS Verein, the Society of Parents and Friends of the John-F-Kennedy-School of Berlin e.V., a state-registered charitable organization. It has a 50-year history as an independent but integral part of the JFKS community and works closely with the administration, teachers, and students to maintain the educational and cultural environment of JFKS. The Verein raises funds through membership fees and various projects to supplement the Berlin Senate budget and support the bilingual, bicultural, and unique program at JFKS. The Verein also invites members to monthly meetings and volunteer opportunities to actively contribute to the school's community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The JFKS Verein, Society of Parents and Friends of the John-F-Kennedy-School of Berlin e.V., is a state-registered charitable organization committed to supporting the program of excellence at JFKS. We are proud of our 50-year history as an independent but integral part of the JFKS community, working closely with the administration, teachers and students to maintain the educational and cultural environment of JFKS. The Verein was founded in 1962 shortly after the opening of the school by parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of JFKS. Its goal is to support the excellent learning environment at JFKS. To supplement the school budget provided by the Berlin Senate, the Verein raises funds through membership fees and a variety of projects, and these funds support the bilingual, bicultural and unique program at JFKS, thereby preparing students for success in a global world.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
John F. Kennedy School Berlin is a public school serving Entrance Class through Grade 12 with more than 1,600 German and American students. The campus is located at Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin. The school provides a German-American bicultural, bilingual education in Berlin. The JFK Friendship Center offers two bilingual, bicultural daycare centers and cooperates with the John F. Kennedy School for eFöB/after-school care.

Sports Facilities
The sports program uses multiple indoor spaces, including an Old Gym and Gym A for elementary activities. High School activities take place in Gym A, Gym B, Gym C, Gym D, and on a field for outdoor sports. There is a year‑round rowing option through Schülerruderverband Wannsee e.V., with indoor ergometer training in winter. The 2025/26 schedule includes basketball, soccer, badminton, lacrosse, volleyball, and other activities across Elementary and High School.

Academic Facilities
The Elementary School Library is an integral part of the curriculum and serves Entrance Class through Grade 6. The library provides reading materials in German and English and supports information literacy and a love of reading. The library offers a diverse range of resources including English and German picture books, nonfiction, magazines, eBooks, audiobooks, headphones, and online references. The Elementary School uses two computer labs, a media center in the library, keyboarding instruction in German and English, and Google Apps for Education for staff and students; there is partial wireless access in the Elementary School. High School emphasizes technology across disciplines and ensures ready access to technology to support learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Model United Nations (BERMUN / MUN) is a core High School activity with weekly debates and two annual conferences, BER MUN and BERMUN2. Music offerings include the Suzuki Violin Program for EC–Grade 5 and a Choir for Grades 3–4, with rehearsals before or after school and during lunch. Odyssey of the Mind (ES) provides creative problem‑solving experiences with participation at German finals and international venues. Scouting (ES) includes Cub Scout Pack 152 and Boy Scout Troop 46 with den meetings, field trips, camping and service projects. The JFK Friendship Center offers family activities, language classes, drama, gym, dance, art, music, and social events, and Hort provides after‑school care in collaboration with the FC.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The John F. Kennedy School (JFKS) is a tuition-free public German-American K–12 school located in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district of Berlin. It delivers a bicultural, bilingual education with instruction in German and English and language arts programs that include Mother Tongue and Partner Tongue components. The High School program (grades 7–12) is NEASC-accredited and offers the American High School Diploma or the German Abitur, or both. All students study English and German and continue language studies in foreign languages such as French, Spanish, and Latin.

Arts & Creative
JFKS provides a broad Fine Arts program across elementary and high school. The Elementary School features music activities including bands, orchestras, choirs, and the Suzuki violin program. The High School offers departments in Art, Drama, and Music and participates in AMIS Honor Festivals. Student performances and exhibitions are part of the annual arts calendar.

Cultural & Language
JFKS is a German-American bilingual and bicultural school with a diverse student body. Every student learns both English and German, and all students participate in Mother Tongue and Partner Tongue language coursework. Foreign languages offered include French, Spanish, and Latin. The program emphasizes cross-cultural understanding and international diversity within a Bi-National educational framework.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular activities include BERMUN/MUN, National Honor Society, and a student newspaper, The Muckraker. The school supports a range of clubs and activities in addition to athletics, with opportunities for leadership and collaborative projects. The High School community engages in activities across arts, sciences, and service-oriented clubs.

Community & Service
JFKS participates in community-centered activities through the JFK Friendship Center and Generationsbrücke, which connect the school with the broader Berlin community and intergenerational engagement. Parent involvement and alumni networks are organized through The Verein and the School Shop, supporting a sense of community beyond the classroom.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and professional opportunities include participation in National Honor Society, Student Government, and the MUN program. The High School offers College & Career planning resources and College Night presentations, with counseling support to guide university admissions and career pathways. The school maintains a College & Career framework to prepare students for higher education worldwide.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
JFKS offers extensive sports and physical activities through its Sports Department and School Clubs. After School Care (Hort) and Late Birds provide daytime supervision and enrichment. School Counseling and Student Support Services are available to support students' well-being, academic planning, and personal development.
Languages

Language Provision
English and German are the core languages of instruction; the program is bilingual and all students participate in both languages. In the Elementary School, American and German students are taught together from the Entrance Class through grade 6; the Entrance Class through grade 2 are instructed bilingually with daily use of both languages, and 5th and 6th graders may take part in a language elective introducing French or Spanish. In High School (grades 7–12), English- and German-speaking students are taught together in all subjects; three homeroom classes per grade are taught mainly in English and three mainly in German, ensuring exposure to both languages by the end of high school; Spanish, French and Latin are taught as electives. German is taught as a mother tongue (D1) and as a partner language (D2–D4); the German partner tongue program has four levels (D4, D3b, D3a, D2), with D3a and D2 upper-level courses as AP; all students with English mother tongue regularly participate in the German partner language program, which leads to the German Abitur and/or the American High School Diploma.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches in English and German.
Reputation

Awards
School without Racism – School with Courage (awarded May 2022).

Accreditations
NEASC accreditation; renewal of NEASC accreditation in May 2005.
Admissions

Admissions
1. The John F. Kennedy School Berlin conducts selective admissions based on previous school records and, where necessary, testing; all admissions are probationary for one year in elementary school and one semester in high school. 2. Applications are accepted only during specified application periods; JFKS admits on a space-available basis at each grade level, with hundreds of applications each year and only a limited number admitted; no exceptions to deadlines. 3. Admissions are governed by the JFKS Act and by an Educational Directorate resolution; the German language version is legally-binding and the English translation is for convenience. 4. Entrance Class (EC/EK) requires that the child has German or U.S. citizenship (or both) and that at least one parent is a German or U.S. citizen; the child must speak the language corresponding to their citizenship as a first/dominant language to support a balanced American and German contingent. 5. If citizenship/language conditions are not met, admission may be possible only by decision of the Education Directorate, subject to place availability and not blocking German/U.S. applicants; historically these conditions have not been met due to high demand. 6. 7. Application processing: after submission, a confirmation email is sent within 4–6 weeks; applications are processed in the order they are received within the application periods; submission date does not affect priority. 8. Legal framework: the Admissions Regulations govern all processes; the German version is legally binding; the English translation is for convenience. 9. Lotteries: 95 spots in the Entrance Class are divided roughly 47/48 American and 48/47 German; priority admissions are allocated by first language and nationality; remaining spaces are filled by a lottery; lottery results are communicated by email. 10. Probationary year: the first year at JFKS is probationary; families must also register with their local Einzugsschule for Grade 1 to secure a seat if probation is not passed; German registration timelines differ. 11. For Grades 1–6, international/third-national applicants can be admitted only if no German or American applicants are on the waiting list; admission is highly constrained by space and demand.

Scholarships
The Dr. Alan Poland Memorial Music Scholarship exists at JFKS; Recipients perform in a dedicated recital; The Alumni Benefit Concert supports the alumni scholarship program for JFKS graduates, funding the alumni scholarship program.

Waitlist
International students may be admitted to grades 7–12 only if there are no German or American applicants on the waiting list; admission begins after review of complete applications, with confirmation typically within six to eight weeks; the actual admission process for Grades 7–12 starts in April/May; the school maintains a waiting list and space is limited, so international applicants are rarely admitted when German or American applicants are on the waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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