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Leipzig International School

Germany, Leipzig

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1050
Type Co-educational
Opened 1992
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages English, German, French, Spanish
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Leadership and Professional, Social and Hobbies, Arts and Creative
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Leipzig International School welcomes families to a vibrant community in the Schleußig neighborhood, educating students from ages 1 to 18. We teach an inquiry-based internal curriculum in the lower grades, progressing to the Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10, and culminating in the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Students learn English as the primary language of instruction while also acquiring German, French, or Spanish. Our campus features highly specialized spaces, including an 800-square-meter school garden carefully developed by the student-led LIS Green Team, which actively serves as an outdoor classroom. A truly distinctive tradition here is the annual Proud House Day, alongside our older students' continuous leadership in organizing the local Model United Nations conference. From our unique afternoon Hort program to our Varsity boys' championship-winning GISST football team, we always ensure every single child remains deeply engaged, firmly supported, and thoroughly prepared for their future.

Könneritzstraße 47, 04229 Leipzig, Germany

The Essentials

Leipzig International School has 1,050 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English, German.

Location
Leipzig International School is located in Leipzig, Germany. The Kindergarten is at Karl-Heine-Str. 95, 04229 Leipzig. The Primary and Secondary campus is at Könneritzstraße 47, 04229 Leipzig.

Stages
Nursery to Grade 12, including Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School and High School.

Type
International school.

Country affiliation
Germany

School day structure
Nursery and Early Years run daily from 07:00 to 18:00, balancing play, meals and rest. Nursery days include an early drop-off, breakfast, morning circle, and rest periods, with playtime in the afternoon. Kindergarten operates year-round, Monday to Friday, 07:00–18:00, following the academic year August to July with a holiday program during breaks.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
No boarding is offered. Primary students have Hort, a before- and after-school programme: Morning Hort from 7:00 and Afternoon Hort until 17:00; Holiday Hort is available for Grades 1–5 between 7:00 and 17:00 for a separate fee.

Uniform Requirement
No uniform is required; LIS Spirit Wear is available for purchase.

Food Options
Hot lunches are ordered daily through a caterer, with vegetarian options and snacks.

Governance and Ownership
The LIS governance is provided by the Foundation International Education Leipzig Board, which oversees Leipzig International School gGmbH. The Board changed the school's legal status from a registered association to a non-profit limited company and a registered foundation, Foundation International Education Leipzig.
Fees
Application & Registration Fees

- Registration (application) fee: EUR 100 (non-refundable).

Annual administration fees (applies to all pupils)

- Annual Admin Fee when tuition is paid annually: EUR 420.
- Annual Admin Fee when tuition is paid by monthly instalments: EUR 480.

Tuition fees by year group (published as monthly tuition amounts for the current academic year)

- Nursery 1 & 2 (monthly tuition fee): EUR 211.14. Benefaction amount (additional contribution shown alongside fee): EUR 535.00.

- Early Years 1–3 (monthly tuition fee): EUR 130.12. Benefaction amount: EUR 630.00.

- Grade 1–5 (monthly tuition fee): EUR 990.00.

- Grade 6–8 (monthly tuition fee): EUR 1,010.00.

- Grade 9–10 (monthly tuition fee): EUR 1,070.00.

- Grade 11–12 (monthly tuition fee): EUR 1,280.00.

- Enrolment fee (charged on admission) starting from Grade 2: EUR 875.00.

- Retainer fee for holding a contract (monthly, for contracts on hold): EUR 167.50.

Billing schedule and payment terms (summary of published terms)

- Tuition is published with options for annual payment or monthly instalments; the different Annual Admin Fee amounts reflect these two payment choices.

- Contracts are issued digitally and must be signed within the stated period in the admissions process; invoices carry specific due dates (example invoice shows a due date). Parents receive invoices and must pay by the due date shown on each invoice.

Boarding

- Leipzig International School is a day school only; there are no boarding facilities and therefore no boarding fees.

Other costs and fees (items explicitly included in or excluded from tuition)

- Items included within published tuition (no separate charge listed in the tuition line): one-to-one iPads in Primary, Hort before/after school care for Primary (07:00–08:00 and 15:15–17:00), learning support, EAL & GAL support, books and learning materials, certain after-school activities run by LIS staff, school medical support, field trips, and fruit during the day.

- Items not covered by tuition (charged separately): Holiday Hort for Primary, cafeteria lunches, extracurricular activities provided by external providers (for example private music lessons), school camps, and IGCSE/IB examination fees. A separate catering contract is used for school lunches.

Refunds and non-refundable items

- The registration (application) fee of EUR 100 is non-refundable. Other specific refund rules are set out in contract documents; the registration fee is explicitly stated as non-refundable.

Fee payment options

- Invoicing includes the school's bank account details for payment by bank transfer (IBAN/BIC appear on invoices). Example invoice details show bank transfer information (account holder: Leipzig International School gGmbH; bank and IBAN/BIC provided on the invoice).

- The published materials identify annual and monthly payment arrangements; invoices and contract documents indicate the specific payment method and due dates for each family's chosen plan.
Academics

Leipzig International School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Leipzig International School offers a dynamic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual international learning environment from Nursery to Grade 12. It follows a globally recognised enquiry-based curriculum with English as the language of instruction and builds confidence in both English and German. In High School, the Cambridge IGCSE programme is used in Grades 9 and 10 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. The curriculum builds on a strong middle school foundation with global perspectives, maths applications and IGCSE physical education in Grades 9 and 10, and the extended essay and Theory of Knowledge in Grades 11 and 12. The IB learner profile guides learner development and graduates leave LIS as reflective and knowledgeable thinkers, inquirers and communicators.

Higher Education Progression
Beyond LIS provides Careers Education and Guidance, including psychometric testing and workshops on CVs, cover letters and gaining work experience. Information sessions tailored to each country's higher education system are organised from Grade 11, and university fairs connect students with university representatives. Graduates go on to study at universities worldwide, with destinations including the University of Cambridge (UK), UCLA (USA), LMU Munich (Germany), University of Leeds (UK), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), Leipzig University (Germany) and ETH Zurich (Switzerland).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The LIS places social and emotional wellbeing at the forefront. Three school psychologists and two school nurses support students throughout the day in a safe, respectful environment that underpins sustainable learning. The Secondary School Counsellor provides confidential support for concerns about academics, relationships, health, happiness, motivation, stress, trauma and life decisions; meetings are conducted in a respectful, confidential setting.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The LIS Learning Inclusion program provides support for learners with identified needs. Strategies are implemented to help students achieve their full academic potential. Common challenges include language, processing speed, organisation, time management and attention; students and teachers discuss learning strategies with the Learning Inclusion team.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Instruction is conducted in English. Children who do not have English as their mother tongue receive targeted support through English as an Additional Language (EAL) and German as an Additional Language (GAL) programs to develop language proficiency to a high level without overload, with clear learning objectives.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported by three school psychologists and two school nurses who accompany students throughout the day in a safe environment. The Secondary School Counsellor provides confidential guidance for personal and academic matters, including stress, health and life decisions.

Safeguarding
LIS provides safeguarding through health and counselling supports: the School Nurse offers confidential medical advice and manages allergies and medication. The Secondary School Counsellor provides confidential guidance for students; the Learning Inclusion team supports learners with identified needs with confidential collaboration. LIS emphasizes inclusive education and a respectful environment as part of safeguarding.
Parent Experience

History
The school's history begins with a founding meeting of the Registered Association Leipzig International School (Leipzig International School e.V.) on 17 August 1992, and the first LIS day followed on 5 September 1992. Harry Gould became the first Head of School in 1995 and introduced the IB and IGCSE curricula. In 1996 LIS moved to new premises at Razelstr 26. The school welcomed its 100th learner in 1999. In 2001 the City of Leipzig sold the school building to LIS and Michael Webster joined as Head of School; enrollment grew from about 75 students with seven teachers to 550 students with around 70 teachers by 2009. The first IB graduates completed in 2002. The building was renovated in 2006, and a time capsule was buried in the foundations of the sports hall. In 2009 Roel Scheepens became Head of School, and outdoor facilities were redesigned in 2010. LIS achieved accreditation by the CIS and NEASC in January 2012 after a 2011 planning phase. David Smith joined as Head of School in 2014, and the Grand Opening of the Kindergarten took place that year. The LIS Foundation was established in 2017, and the school celebrated 30 years in 2022/23. Brandie Smith became Head of School in 2021, and LIS continues to grow within an ongoing accreditation cycle.

Community
The LIS community is an inclusive, engaged learning community. Communication with families is shared via the LIS Parent Portal, a bi-weekly newsletter and through the LIS Observer, the school magazine. The motto ‘Once A Lion, Always A Lion' reflects the community spirit. Alumni are welcomed to stay connected, and LIS places value on ongoing connections and alumni achievements.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Association is a volunteer network that supports the school and benefits from parent engagement. All learners have parents automatically as PA members and can volunteer. The PA is led by a Leadership Team with elected representatives from Kindergarten, Primary and Middle/Upper School. Regular meetings coordinate initiatives and communication; LIS Connect is a PA network that represents LIS families' industries and supports Beyond LIS career programmes, internships and work placements. The PA fundraising activities enrich school events and provide a voice for parents to the school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Leipzig International School operates Nursery to Grade 12 on a single campus. The LIS School Garden spans 800 m² and serves as an outdoor classroom and gathering space developed with the Green Team. The campus includes a library with more than 11,000 books and magazines, including a German-language collection and resources in more than 25 languages, serving students from first through twelfth grade as well as staff and parents. Inside the campus there are spacious outdoor play areas, an indoor gym, music and art rooms, and dedicated creative learning spaces. Primary offers a makers space and an extensive afternoon programme including dance, athletics, languages, music, drama and art. The Hort programme provides a morning and afternoon care option with six theme-based spaces (Outside, Creative, Construction, Game, Active, Quiet).

Sports Facilities
The LIS campus includes an indoor gym and sports fields. A long-standing partnership with SVS enables shared use of the fields and gym, including use by the SVS club in the evenings and during winter months.

Academic Facilities
The High School delivers Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). The early years are bilingual (German & English) and Kinder/ EYFS frameworks support transition to Primary. Primary includes a makers space and a broad afternoon programme including dance, athletics, languages, music, drama and art, while the Library provides extensive resources for all grades and languages (over 11,000 items; German collection; 25+ languages). The campus also offers inviting spaces for learning, including a library and creative spaces, an indoor gym, and swimming lessons in EY2.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-curricular activities include leadership opportunities in Student Councils and Model UN, plus holiday camps such as surfing and skiing and global/local engagement. Afternoon enrichment features a makers space, dance, athletics, languages, music, drama and art, complemented by Hort's six themed spaces (Outside, Creative, Construction, Game, Active, Quiet) for after-school activities. The LIS Garden, managed with the Green Team, supports environmental projects and hands-on learning outside the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a dynamic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual international learning environment from Nursery to Grade 12. The curriculum is a globally recognised enquiry-based program. All lessons are taught in English. The school builds confidence in both English and German.

Arts & Creative
Performing arts play an enormously important role; at least one major drama production is staged each year, with regular musicals in Primary and High School. The musical highlight of the year is the LIS Christmas concert. Visual arts include freehand drawing, painting, photo club and printing techniques. Holiday camps and creative opportunities such as contemporary dance are offered.

Cultural & Language
The school offers a dynamic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual international learning environment. Instruction is in English with German language learning, and learners develop language skills as part of the curriculum. Global and local engagement is integrated into campus life. Model UN and related activities are available through enrichment.

Social & Hobbies
Leadership opportunities include Student Councils and Model UN. Astronomy Club, Robotics and Contemporary Dance are among the clubs offered. Holiday camps and trips such as surfing and skiing provide additional experiences.

Community & Service
Global and local engagement is a core part of LIS campus life. The school partners with local organizations to broaden learners' horizons and participates in events that connect students with the wider community.

Leadership & Professional
Careers Education and Guidance provides psychometric testing and guidance on CVs, cover letters and gaining work experience. It includes information sessions on higher education systems from Grade 11, university fairs and talks with representatives. Professionals from various fields are invited to share expertise and LIS collaborates with local organizations to enhance career prospects.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
LIS has a strong wellbeing and community focus. The Athletics Department offers GISST sports with activities including football, volleyball, badminton, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track and field, with after-school training twice weekly and games mainly on Saturdays.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction across Nursery to Grade 12. A strong language programme supports language development in English and German. Nursery uses a dual-language OTOL approach to encourage speaking English and German. Käferhaus Kindergarten provides a German-speaking environment as part of LIS's early-years provision.

Bilingual Teaching
Nursery uses a dual-language setting with a One Teacher One Language approach (OTOL), encouraging children to speak both English and German. LIS Kindergarten provides German language programming as part of its curriculum. Käferhaus Kindergarten offers a German-speaking learning environment.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Admissions

Admissions
From enquiry to first day, LIS Admissions Team provides a caring, personalised admissions experience and a warm introduction to our school, programmes, and community. They guide applicants through the admissions process, clarify concepts and procedures, and ensure families are welcomed and informed about starting in Nursery, Kindergarten, Primary or Secondary School. Enquiries use a non-binding Enquiry Form; the Admissions Team reviews the general possibility of admission, taking into account current capacity, and coordinates a personal conversation to officially begin enrolment. LIS is not a boarding school. Admission does not grant eligibility for a student visa, and the school does not provide legal advice on immigration or visa matters. Tours can be arranged onsite or virtually, guided by a member of the Admissions team who will answer questions.

Scholarships
LIS offers a financial aid programme designed to promote equity and inclusion, helping students from varied economic backgrounds thrive together. The programme includes income-based reduced fees.
School Events
The school has not added events
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