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Platanus School Berlin

Germany, Berlin

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees €1,200 - 6,360
Ages 1 - 19 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2010
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum German Curriculum
Taught languages German, English, Spanish, French, Mandarin
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Platanus Schule Berlin is a bilingual German‑English school for ages 3 to 16, located in Berlin‑Pankow in the Pankow Post Office complex. The school combines a kindergarten with a primary and secondary section and emphasises a MINT (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology) focus across all years. It operates as a state‑recognised private school from Year 1 to Year 10 and is pursuing recognition for the gymnasiale Oberstufe (Years 11–13), with approval to begin in August 2024. Small class sizes of up to 25 students support personalised attention and immersive bilingual learning, especially in the early years. The campus comprises a 1923 heritage building renovated to provide bright subject rooms, science and art spaces, a computer lab, library, workshop, and multiple common areas, plus a Second House for secondary students and a separate building with a Student Lounge. Outdoor spaces include a garden and sports facilities and a terrace that encourage exploration.

Berliner Str. 12, 13187 Berlin, Germany

The Essentials

Platanus School Berlin has instruction in German, English.

Location
Platanus Schule Berlin is located at Berliner Straße 12, 13187 Berlin, Germany. The building is the former Pankow Post Office, a listed historic property housing the school. It lies in the Berlin-Pankow district with access to local public transport links. The school comprises a bilingual kindergarten and a Gemeinschaftsschule offering primary and secondary education, with an upper secondary level approved to start in August 2024.

Stages
Kindergarten; Primary and Secondary School (Years 1–10). Upper secondary level (Years 11–13) approved to start in August 2024.

Type
Bilingual Gemeinschaftsschule (community school) and state-recognised private school with a STEM (MINT) focus.

Additional learning support
Erzieher*innen provide class-based support, including language acquisition and assistance during Ganztag and study periods; the school emphasises individual attention and small classes as part of its learning support.

Country affiliation
Germany

School day structure
Ganztag provides full-day learning from morning to afternoon with a rhythmised daily routine. Each class is supported by a Class Erzieher*innen during lessons and in the Ganztag, with over 30 clubs offered and meals in the canteen. All-day care runs from 6 am to 6 pm for Years 1–6 as part of an extended program.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
No boarding; all-day care is offered (Ganztag) with before-and-after-school care from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Food Options
Catering provides meals; all students in Years 1 to 6 must attend lunch; in primary the lunch is waived due to Berlin's free lunch regulation; in Years 7 to 13 lunch is optional and costs 81.10 EUR per month. The meals consist of a warm lunch including a salad bar and fresh fruits; a water dispenser is available throughout the day. The lunch is delivered by the catering company Löwenzahn.

Governance and Ownership
Platanus Schule Berlin is privately run by Platanus Bildungs gGmbH. The Executive Board comprises Dr. Karen Krüger (Primary and Secondary I/II) and Kristin Wendorf (Kindergarten). Shareholders are Dr. Karen Krüger, Kristin Wendorf, Sabine Schoenermark, and Sylke Mouroum. The nonprofit association Platanus & Friends supports teaching projects and clubs and organizes events for the school community.
Fees

Annual tuition at Platanus School Berlin ranges from EUR 1,200 to EUR 6,360 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Trial days/assessment: a fee of EUR 30 is charged per trial day for students invited to trial lessons or trial days.

Tuition fees (Years 1–13)

- Tuition is income-based and the same for all students in Years 1 to 13; the school calculates the monthly tuition from the family's joint annual gross income and bills the yearly contribution in 12 monthly instalments.

- Representative monthly tuition amounts by annual gross income band (monthly amount — equivalent annual amount):
- Up to EUR 30,000 — EUR 100 per month (EUR 1,200 per year).
- Up to EUR 45,000 — EUR 236 per month (EUR 2,832 per year).
- Up to EUR 60,000 — EUR 295 per month (EUR 3,540 per year).
- Up to EUR 75,000 — EUR 353 per month (EUR 4,236 per year).
- Up to EUR 90,000 — EUR 412 per month (EUR 4,944 per year).
- Up to EUR 120,000 — EUR 471 per month (EUR 5,652 per year).
- EUR 150,000 and above — EUR 530 per month (EUR 6,360 per year).

- Discounts and minimums:
- Loyalty discount: a EUR 50 monthly loyalty discount applies from the 5th year of a child's affiliation to the kindergarten and/or school; the monthly fee remains at least EUR 100 per child even after discounts.
- Sibling discount: the second-oldest and each additional child pay 50% of the income-based monthly tuition (calculated without the loyalty discount for the eldest child). Only one of the two discounts (loyalty or sibling) applies to a single child.

- Note on increases: the published fee schedule shows an indexing/increase plan; parents should expect scheduled annual increases as set out in the published fee framework.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is charged as a yearly contribution and billed in 12 monthly instalments.
- The first monthly instalment is due at the start of the school year (beginning of August) and the final instalment is due by the start of July of the following year; instalments are payable monthly across the school year.

- Additional payment schedules:
- The collective fund (Sammelkasse) of EUR 285 per school year is normally due at the beginning of the school year or can be paid in monthly instalments on request.
- Cost-sharing for before-and-after-school care (primary level) is determined separately under Berlin regulations and is due on the official start of the school year (early August) through to early July. Typical parental shares for after-school care range approximately EUR 16 to EUR 194 per month (dependent on income, sibling status and hours).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. Platanus operates as a day kindergarten and a day primary/secondary community school with before- and after-school care options rather than residential boarding.

Other costs and recurring fees

- Collective fund (Years 1–13): EUR 285 per school year to cover teaching and learning materials, class funds, entrance fees and a solidarity contribution; due at the school-year start or payable in instalments on request.

- Lunch/catering:
- Primary Level (Years 1–6): lunch costs are waived under the Berlin Senate free-lunch regulation (no parental lunch charge).
- Secondary Level (Years 7–13): optional lunch at EUR 81.10 per month.

- Before- and after-school care (primary level): separate contract and separate fees apply; parental cost-sharing is set by Berlin youth services and varies by income/siblings and hours used (approx. EUR 16–194 per month as a guide).

- Class trips and excursions: costs vary by year group and duration and are charged in addition to tuition.

- Clubs and extra-curricular partner activities: participation fees apply; example rate published is EUR 40 per 15 minutes of club duration per school year (e.g., approx. EUR 160 for a weekly 60-minute club across the school year).

- Locker hire: listed as cost-free as of recent entries for students from Year 3.

- Kindergarten-specific contributions (where relevant): voluntary monthly co-payments for kindergarten facilities and concept support currently around EUR 50 per month; the Berlin Senate charges a lunch contribution of EUR 23 per month for kindergarten lunches and an additional snack provision fee is shown at EUR 25 per month.

- Trial-day insurance/attendance: trial days are charged (EUR 30 per trial day) and trial-day attendance is covered by school insurance while on campus.

Refunds and fee adjustments

- Refunds and fee adjustments are governed by the school's fee regulations and the enrollment contract. The school's fee rules include a hardship provision (Härtefallregelung) under which families may apply for reductions or exemptions in justified cases (for example, low gross annual income). The collective fund can be waived in some cases (e.g., BuT pass recipients or hardship).

Fee payment options

- Payment mechanisms are handled through the school's contracting and payment processes; the school and its parent association use SEPA direct-debit mandates for recurring payments and the parent association documents state that cash or invoicing is not used for membership payments. The enrollment contract and contractual documentation specify the exact payment method to be used for tuition and related charges.

Summary of immediate amounts to expect on enrolment

- Possible one-off/early charges at or before admission: trial-day fee(s) if applicable (EUR 30 per trial day); collective fund (EUR 285) due at school-year start unless otherwise agreed; first monthly tuition instalment due at the start of the school year (monthly amount depends on family income band).
Academics

Platanus School Berlin teaches German Curriculum for students aged 1 to 19.

Curriculum
Platanus Schule Berlin is a bilingual educational institution (German/English) with a kindergarten and a primary and secondary school in Berlin-Pankow. It has a MINT (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology) focus across the primary and secondary levels. The kindergarten and school are a state-recognised private school from Year 1 to Year 10 and are undergoing recognition for the upper secondary level (gymnasiale Oberstufe – Years 11 to 13), with approval to start in August 2024. It is housed in the heritage-listed former Pankow Post Office and uses adjacent buildings for learning. The Platanus Gemeinschaftsschule offers Grades 1 to 13 with small classes of up to 25 students. Immersive bilingualism and personal attention are key features of the early years.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small classes with max. 25 students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports students' personality development and social behaviour through lessons and the Co-Curricular Enrichment Program. Teachers and educators guide this development in lessons and through the Co-Curricular Enrichment Program, and a secure, supportive environment is maintained to help all students feel a sense of achievement.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning is designed with internal differentiation, Team-Teaching and Support-Teaching, plus small-group work and cross-curricular projects to accommodate diverse learning needs and provide appropriate challenge. The school emphasizes inclusive education and ongoing assessment to support each learner's development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is bilingual German-English. All students must be able to speak German or English at native level for admission. German-speaking students study English as a first foreign language from Years 3 to 10, and English is taught as a first foreign language at Year 11 at a high level. English-speaking students study German as a first foreign language with progression to higher levels (German at least B2 by Years 7–10 and at least C1 by Years 11–13). From Year 7, Spanish is taught as a second foreign language, with French offered as a beginners' course.

Safeguarding
During the admission process, a safe and supportive atmosphere is provided for a get-to-know-you visit and trial days, with attention to physical and cognitive development, social interaction, and language development. A personal meeting with the child and parent, and the possibility of trial days, help ensure a secure and welcoming environment. The school communicates with families and provides ongoing support throughout the onboarding process.
Parent Experience

History
The school is a bilingual educational institution (German/English) with a kindergarten and a primary and secondary school with a MINT focus (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology) in Berlin-Pankow. It is a state-recognised private school from Year 1 to Year 10 and is undergoing the usual recognition process for the upper secondary level (gymnasiale Oberstufe – Years 11 to 13) in the school years 24/25 to 26/27; the upper secondary level was approved to start in August 2024. Under the roof of a venerable and listed house—the former Pankow Post Office—and in adjacent buildings, learning spaces accommodate natural curiosity and individual needs.

Community
The school operates in an international and caring bilingual community in Berlin-Pankow. Open House events invite families to meet the team and get a personal impression, and a 360° panoramic tour is available. The Diplomats Club offers secondary students opportunities to explore international relations and diplomacy beyond the classroom, a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award ceremony was held at the Red Town Hall, and a Summer Camp on the island of Rügen provided an unforgettable week for students.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The nonprofit Platanus & Friends is a group of parents, teachers and educators who work on a voluntary basis in the interests of all Platanus children. Platanus & Friends support teaching projects and clubs, organise events and celebrations and are committed to making both the school and kindergarten look beautiful.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school's main building is a listed historic building dating back to 1923, originally used as a post office, with renovations preserving its historic charm while creating modern, bright classrooms, subject rooms and common areas. Each class has its own dedicated classroom, and Grades 1–4 have an additional all-day care room nearby for learning, relaxation and play. The campus includes fully equipped subject rooms for science, music and art, as well as a computer lab, a school library, a workshop and several group rooms. Lunch is served in a large cafeteria with an outdoor terrace. The campus comprises a Second House with four bright classrooms for secondary students and a neighboring Berliner Straße 13 building with two classrooms and a Student Lounge for Grades 7–10; the Upper School House nearby provides quiet learning spaces, modern course rooms, a multifunctional room/cafeteria and a garden.

Sports Facilities
The school has a sports hall on the third floor for indoor physical education and events. PE in good weather takes place at Kissingen Stadium about one kilometer away. The schoolyard features a sports pitch for PE, extracurricular activities and break times, plus climbing and play equipment, a ball cage, table tennis tables, benches and an outdoor chill-out lounge.

Academic Facilities
The school has fully equipped subject rooms for science, music and art. It also has a computer lab, a school library, a workshop and several group rooms. The Second House provides four spacious classrooms for secondary students. The Berliner Straße 13 building houses two additional classrooms and a Student Lounge for Grades 7–10. The Upper School House on Benjamin-Vogelsdorff-Straße 1 offers quiet learning spaces, modern course rooms, a multifunctional room that doubles as a cafeteria and a garden. Platanus Kindergarten offers bright group rooms and spaces for movement, learning, reading, music and creativity, plus a garden with two play areas and a workshop for planting and caring for herbs, vegetables and flowers; it also has child-friendly sanitary facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Diplomats Club offers secondary students a chance to explore international relations, cultures, and diplomacy beyond the classroom. The school hosts a Duke of Edinburgh International Bronze Award ceremony for students in Grades 10 and 11. Summercamp on Rügen provides a week-long outdoor learning experience for students. The Green Space garden offers environmental learning with fruit trees, raised beds and pollinator-friendly plants.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Ganztag is a co-curricular enrichment program that extends learning beyond the regular timetable, organizing the school day into structured activities. It offers over 30 clubs for all age groups, including Advanced Maths Skills, Coding, Construction, Robotics, and Create Your Website, with options in English and German. In Years 7 to 10, clubs provide age-appropriate challenge, integration with subject learning, and targeted support such as homework help and project work. The program also runs STEM-focused activities and participates in external competitions, including the Climate Future Conference, the Girls' Technology Congress, the World Robot Olympiad, the Math Olympiad, and HEUREKA.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative opportunities include Art Club, Junior & Senior Choir, Ceramics, K-Pop Dancing, Origami, and Wood Workshop, with many activities offered in English or German. The clubs extend creative practice beyond regular lessons and often lead to performances or exhibitions at school events. They emphasize hands-on making, imagination, and collaborative creation. The Library complements these offerings by supporting reading and creative exploration.

Cultural & Language
Cultural and language engagement includes Oware & Afro Club, which teaches board games rooted in African culture and aims to develop multicultural understanding, with sessions delivered in English. Tastes from around the world introduces international cooking, expanding cultural awareness through seasonal dishes and shared cooking activities. These clubs foster intercultural exchange and global awareness as part of the after-school program.

Social & Hobbies
Library access is open for reading three times a week, with opportunities to borrow books and read in a quiet setting. Board and Card Games encourages strategic thinking through weekly group games, offered in English. The Chess Club promotes logical and strategic thinking, while the Homework Room provides supervised time for completing assignments. These clubs complement social interaction and informal interests in the school community.

Community & Service
Duke of Edinburgh Award is a formal part of the program, with eleven students from Grades 10 and 11 receiving Bronze certificates at a ceremony at the Red Town Hall. The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a globally recognized youth development program that emphasizes volunteering, physical activity, skills, and expeditions. Participants develop perseverance, teamwork, and social responsibility as they pursue the Award, with some continuing toward the Silver level.

Leadership & Professional
The Diplomats Club provides a platform for exploring international relations, cultures, and diplomacy beyond the classroom. The club involves direct engagement with diplomatic institutions and professionals, and recent visits have included Germany's Federal Foreign Office to gain real-world insights into diplomacy and career paths in international affairs.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
A wide range of wellbeing and athletic activities are offered, including Fitness & Self Defence, Football, Badminton, Volleyball, Climbing, and Yoga. These programs promote physical fitness, balance, and mindfulness as part of a holistic approach to student development.
Languages

Language Provision
German and English are the languages of instruction across the kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels. The kindergarten provides early bilingual education in German and English. From Year 1 to Year 10, the school is a state-recognised private school; the upper secondary level (Years 11–13) was approved to start in August 2024. A MINT focus (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology) is integrated into the curriculum.

Bilingual Teaching
The school is bilingual in German and English, and offers a kindergarten, plus primary and secondary schooling. It emphasizes a MINT (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology) focus. Immersive bilingualism is used in early education.

Immersion Programs
Immersive bilingualism is central to the program, with German and English used for instruction and daily life from kindergarten onward. Immersion begins in the kindergarten and continues through primary and secondary levels. The focus is on developing proficiency in both languages across the curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit online application via the online application portal. The enrolment period for the new school year begins on August 1 of the preceding year. If places are available, admission during the current school year is possible for students with the necessary linguistic and academic aptitude. The school is a state-recognised private school from Year 1 to Year 10.

2. After the online application, the school reviews the complete documents and conducts a pre-selection. Because applications exceed places, not all applicants are invited to an interview. If the child meets the admission criteria, the child is invited to a get-to-know-you appointment, several trial days or a trial week, depending on the grade; a meeting with the parents also takes place. A decision on admission is made afterwards.

3. For the start of the 2026/27 school year, 50 places are offered in two Grade 1 classes. The preliminary selection from all submitted applications takes place after the Open Day. All applications received by October 17, 2025 are considered; applications submitted after this date can only be placed on the waiting list.

4. Introductory meetings are held in November 2025, and the allocation of school places occurs shortly afterwards. If a place is offered, the school will contact you by email or phone. If offered, you will receive contract documents by email and must schedule an appointment with the school office to sign the enrollment contract. The process is designed to allow the school and families to get to know each other.

5. Admission to Year 7 is limited to high-achieving students with a Gymnasium recommendation; final decisions are communicated by June 2026. Admission to Year 11–13 is possible only if all official requirements of the Berlin school authority are met. The decisions follow the current Berlin School Act and related regulations.

6. For applications in all current grades and available school places, the school will contact you as quickly as possible to determine whether your child can be invited to trial days. If a place is not available, your child will be placed on the waiting list. This process continues until a decision is reached.

7. For future first graders, an introductory visit is organised in autumn prior to the start. Your child spends a morning at our school with a small group of around 11 children, together with teachers and educators. The activities focus on physical and cognitive development, social interaction, and language development.

8. For students wishing to transfer into an already existing class, several trial days or a full trial week are offered. There are short written assessments in German, Mathematics, and English, followed by a personal interview and participation in lessons; feedback is gathered from teaching staff at the end of the trial.

9. What does waiting list mean? If there is no place available, the application will be placed on the waiting list. A waiting list is not a rejection, nor a guarantee of admission. Admission depends on class balance and capacity; if a place becomes available, the school will contact you by email or phone. No binding information about when a place might open up is provided.

Waitlist
Waiting list: If no place is offered, the child's application goes on the waiting list. A place on the waiting list is not a rejection, nor a guarantee of admission. Admission depends on class balance and capacity; if a place becomes available, the school will contact you by email or phone. The school cannot provide binding information about when a place might open up.
School Events
The school has not added events
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