doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
W

WABE International School

Germany, Hamburg

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees €8,040 - 18,216
Ages 6 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 240
Type Co-educational
Opened 2016
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Taught languages English, German, Spanish, French, Mandarin
Typical class size 25
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The school is an Ersatzschule in Schleswig-Holstein and an IB World School in Pinneberg, Germany, serving students aged 6 to 18. The main language of instruction is English, with German taught in parallel and a native German track aligned to Schleswig-Holstein's curriculum. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered for the grades, and a German language track supports native speakers. The pedagogy follows Progressive Education, implemented through Project-Based Learning and Social-Emotional Learning, with interdisciplinary courses and student agency in creating projects. Primary School integrates English and German literacy, includes play across curricula, and provides native German instruction by native speakers. Middle School emphasizes depth in interdisciplinary learning, linking algebra in Geography and literature in Art. The campus features a barefoot nature path and a 3D printer for prototyping. The afternoon program extends learning with project-based activities. CAS and language development are central to IB DP, preparing students for study worldwide.

Eggerstedter Weg 19, 25421 Pinneberg, Germany

The Essentials

WABE International School has 240 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English, German.

Location
Eggerstedter Weg 19, 25421 Pinneberg. The school is in the Hamburg metropolitan region, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Stages
Grades 1–12; International Baccalaureate World School (IB Diploma Programme). The main language of instruction is English, with a German program to support native-level learning.

Type
State-approved substitute school (Ersatzschule) in Schleswig-Holstein; IB World School.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The school has 240 students representing 47 nationalities. The student body includes international and German families from the Hamburg metropolitan region.

Country affiliation
Germany

School day structure
School hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00–17:00.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Participation in the daily hot lunch programme provided by the school cafeteria is included in the Afternoon Programme fees for Grades 1-10 and in the Tuition costs for the IB Programme.

Governance and Ownership
WABE e.V. remains active in supporting the school's growth and operations. The WABE International School board is comprised of the two WABE CEOs and another member of their board.
Fees

Annual tuition at WABE International School ranges from EUR 8,040 to EUR 18,216 for 2026/27.

Application / Entrance Fees
- Grades 1–10: Registration fee EUR 200 per student; due together with the first month's school fee and non-refundable.
- Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma applicants): Application fee EUR 750; due on submission and non-refundable.

Tuition / Programme Fees (by year group) — monthly, yearly, and per term (half-year = yearly ÷ 2)
- Grades 1–10 (Company or Government sponsored):
- Monthly: EUR 1,261. Yearly: EUR 15,132. Per term (half-year, calculated): EUR 7,566.
- Grades 1–10 (Private families — split Morning/Afternoon structure):
- Morning Programme: Monthly EUR 210; Yearly EUR 2,520; Per term (calculated) EUR 1,260.
- Afternoon Programme: Monthly EUR 485; Yearly EUR 5,820; Per term (calculated) EUR 2,910.
- Combined Morning + Afternoon: Monthly EUR 695; Yearly EUR 8,340; Per term (calculated) EUR 4,170.
- Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma Programme):
- New students: Monthly EUR 1,622; Yearly EUR 19,464; Per term (calculated) EUR 9,732.
- Optional Pamoja course fee: EUR 1,700 (listed as an additional optional course fee).

Material and Other Mandatory Charges
- Material fee (paid in full at enrolment; non-refundable):
- Grades 1–10: EUR 192 per year.
- Grades 11–12: EUR 562 per year.
- Shuttle service (limited places; separate shuttle contract required): Monthly EUR 350; Yearly EUR 4,200; Per term (calculated) EUR 2,100.
- Miscellaneous costs: Field trips, overnight trips, special programmes or events and damages to school property are invoiced separately to participating students; daily hot lunch is included in the Afternoon Programme for Grades 1–10 and in IB tuition.
- Parent Association (Förderverein): The school encourages membership/donations to the Förderverein; the Förderverein operates a separate contribution structure for supporters (membership contributions / donation options).

Sibling Discounts
- No discounts are offered on the programme fees for siblings. (Sibling discounts exist in the Parent Association separately.)

Billing Schedule, Contracts, and Payment Terms
- Contracts run on a 12-month basis (01.08 – 31.07). Families remain contractually responsible for payment through the full contract period, including the summer months.
- Cancellation: Contracts may be cancelled with two months' notice in advance of the school half-year dates of 31 January or 31 July. Families who miss the termination deadline for one date are obligated to pay all fees until the next possible termination date; no refunds or discounts are provided for leaving between these two possible termination dates. The school may consider alternate termination dates with sufficient notice.
- The school reserves the right to terminate enrolment for students whose fees are two or more months in arrears.

Payment Methods and Account Details
- Primary payment method: all bank transfers in euros (EUR) via automatic SEPA mandate for families who opt for monthly payments. Notification to change bank details must be received by the 10th of the month. A one-time annual payment may be possible; a nominal discount may be discussed with the school.
- Bank account details (for transfers as published): Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB) Schwerin; IBAN: DE35 1203 0000 1020 3759 68; BIC: BYLADEM1001.

Refunds and Non-Refundable Items
- The registration/application fees are non-refundable. Material fees are non-refundable once paid and are due at the start of enrolment. Termination outside the two-month cancellation windows will not automatically result in refunds; fees are payable until the next permissible termination date unless an alternative termination date is agreed.

Boarding
- The school operates as a day school; boarding facilities are not provided. (Boarding classification: day.)

Other Notes on Costs Charged During the Year
- Additional programme-specific or activity-specific charges (e.g., overnight trips, special project costs, replacement charges for damaged technology/resources) will be invoiced separately to participating families. Participation in optional courses or third-party services (for example Pamoja) may carry separate fees.

(For the fee figures and contract/payment terms above, see the school's published Programme Fees document and associated Parent Association materials.)
Academics

WABE International School teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
WABE International School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and a German language track aligned with Schleswig-Holstein's state curriculum. The main language of instruction is English, with German taught in parallel and support for native and non-native speakers. The pedagogy follows Progressive Education, implemented through Project-Based and Social-Emotional Learning, with interdisciplinary courses and student agency in creating their own projects. Primary School integrates English and German literacy, includes play across curricula, and native German instruction is delivered by native speakers following the state curriculum. In Middle School learning is interdisciplinary with depth over breadth, linking subjects (e.g., algebra in Geography; literature in art). The IB Diploma Programme prepares graduates for university study worldwide and is recognized by universities globally; some US universities offer advanced credit for IB courses; native German instruction remains available for native speakers, and German IB exam results have been high with graduates enrolling at German universities.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes.

Higher Education Progression
IB Diploma graduates are prepared for higher education worldwide; the diploma is recognized by universities globally.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Progressive Education with a holistic, student-centered approach. The program emphasizes Project-Based Learning and Social-Emotional Learning, with interdisciplinary courses that foster self-advocacy and self-determination. Learning is framed as developing skills rather than simply acquiring information, empowering students to unfold their talents as compassionate human beings. The environment supports risk-taking in learning and is a safe, inclusive community that celebrates each student's unique personality.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
An international, diverse and inclusive community.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
All of our students learn English and German in parallel, with support for native and non-native speakers.

Mental Wellbeing
The school creates a learning environment where students feel safe and cared for; learning is approached as a courageous, exploratory process. It emphasizes that thinking and growth occur beyond comfort zones and fosters a culture where challenges are invitations to explore, learn, and grow in trust.
Parent Experience

History
WABE International School was founded by WABE e.V., an organization with more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education. Planning began in 2014 to bridge WABE's early-childhood concept with primary and secondary education, and construction started in 2015 at Pinneberg. The school opened in September 2016 with 13 students from 10 families and was accredited by the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Education. It earned International Baccalaureate World School accreditation in 2019 and graduated its first IB Diploma Programme students in June 2021. The school has grown to around 240 students representing 47 nationalities, and in June 2022 it adopted the name “WABE International School” to reflect its broader lifelong-learning mission. WABE e.V. remains active in guiding and financially supporting the school; the school board includes two WABE CEOs and another member.

Community
WABE International School identifies itself as an international, diverse, and inclusive community. It pursues the discovery of the World, Self, and Others through progressive pedagogy with the goal of empowering students to unfold their talents and become compassionate human beings. The school emphasizes that learning should be fun, that students should feel safe, that healthy relationships are essential, and that experimentation and mistakes should be encouraged. The school views learning as a social activity shared by students and teachers, with a commitment to respect and mutual support within the community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Supporter's Association (Förderverein) dedicated to making WABE International School affordable for all. It provides a constitution (Förderverein Constitution), a fee structure (Förderverein Fee Structure), and a membership application form (Förderverein Membership Application Form). A SEPA form (SEPA Form) is also available for payments. These documents show the association's framework for membership and contributions.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located in Pinneberg, Germany, WABE International School opened its doors in September 2016. The school emphasizes project-based and social-emotional learning within a safe, student-centered community. The campus includes a barefoot nature path in the woods and a 3D printer for hands-on prototyping. WABE International School was accredited as an International Baccalaureate World School in 2019.

Sports Facilities
The school offers sport for primary and secondary levels.

Academic Facilities
A 3D printer is available for prototyping, and a barefoot nature path in the woods forms part of the campus learning environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The afternoon program provides additional class projects and activities that extend learning beyond the core day.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school uses progressive education with a holistic, student-centered approach. Learning is delivered primarily through project-based learning and social-emotional learning to foster inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience. Courses are designed as interdisciplinary experiences that connect science, languages, geography, and the arts. Students design their own courses and projects to develop self-advocacy and problem-solving skills.

Arts & Creative
Arts are integrated into learning to support creativity within the curriculum. Interdisciplinary courses weave the arts with science, language, and geography to encourage creative expression. Creative work is embedded in projects and inquiry, using the arts to illuminate other subjects. The IB Diploma Programme reinforces creativity as part of a well-rounded education.

Cultural & Language
All students learn English and German in parallel. A native German programme is offered for native German speakers and follows Schleswig-Holstein's state curriculum. The school represents a diverse international community, with students from numerous nationalities (47 nationalities reported). The IB Diploma Programme emphasizes language development and intercultural understanding to prepare students for study worldwide.

Social & Hobbies
An afternoon program offers additional classes and projects beyond the regular timetable. Afternoon classes help students develop their abilities, strengths, and independent thinking through meaningful projects. Afternoon program projects connect with learning across subjects and provide opportunities for creative, hands-on work.

Community & Service
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is a core requirement of the IB Diploma Programme. CAS consists of experiences across creativity, activity, and service outside the regular coursework, with reflections, supervisor support, and real outcomes. Students complete CAS portfolios and at least one extended project involving collaboration and leadership.

Leadership & Professional
A futures counsellor and the IB DP coordinator assist students with navigating course selections and post-secondary planning. A mentor teacher provides academic guidance and emotional support within the IB Diploma Programme. The admissions team supports families through information materials and intake processes.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school prioritizes safe, respectful relationships and a supportive community. Learning is seen as a social activity, with trust and care among students and teachers essential to thriving. Experimentation and mistakes are encouraged within a caring environment to foster growth and resilience. Social-emotional learning is central to daily practice and overall well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the main language of instruction. There is a German program to ensure students learn German to native-speaker level. The school supports multilingualism in English and German through an immersive approach with native speakers.

Bilingual Teaching
English is the main language of instruction. German is taught through a German program designed to develop German to native-speaker level. The school uses multilingualism in English and German with an immersive approach featuring native speakers.

Immersion Programs
Multilingualism in English and German with an immersive language approach using native speakers. The immersive approach emphasizes authentic language use in classroom interactions. English and German programs are integrated across grade levels.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit the online Application Form to begin the admissions process. In addition to the form, provide grade‑specific materials: Grades 1–2 require a completed Student Questionnaire and a copy of a valid passport or birth certificate; Grade 2 requires school transcripts or records for the previous year. Grades 3–5 require a Student Questionnaire, a Teacher Reference Letter, transcripts for the previous two school years, and a copy of a passport or birth certificate. Grades 6–10 require a Student Questionnaire, a Teacher Reference Letter, transcripts for the previous two school years, a copy of a passport or birth certificate, and scheduling an admissions evaluation exam. Grades 11–12 require reading the IB Admissions Policy document, a Student Questionnaire, a Teacher Reference Letter, transcripts for the previous two school years, a copy of a passport or birth certificate, and scheduling an IB admissions entrance exam.

Scholarships
IB scholarships are offered as tuition reductions or waivers under guidelines designed to promote access to the IB Diploma Programme. Applications should generally be submitted before the start of the school year for which the scholarship is requested. Eligibility requires that the applicant or their guardians cannot fully bear tuition based on income and assets, and the student has shown either above‑average academic performance in the last two years or notable extracurricular or leadership achievements. The application for the IB Scholarship may be submitted for students in the IB Diploma Programme year; locals and internationals may be eligible; there is no guaranteed entitlement. Applications and required documents include information on financial need, academic and extracurricular achievements, and personal motivation, and may be mailed to WABE International School gGmbH, IBDP‑Scholarship, Eggerstedter Weg 19, 25421 Pinneberg, or scanned and emailed to a designated address. Incomplete applications are not considered. The scholarship reduces or waives tuition fees, with the amount and duration determined individually based on financial circumstances and other factors, and documented in a scholarship contract. Typically the scholarship covers one school year, but may be extended in exceptional cases. A decision is made by a committee in writing; denial does not require justification; retroactive awards are generally excluded, except in cases where full documents were received after the initial submission. Children of staff may be eligible but do not receive preferential treatment. Scholarships are tax‑free where applicable and outlined in the scholarship contract.

Waitlist
The number of available seats in each grade varies year to year. The maximum class size is 25 students. When a grade is full, applications are accepted to the waiting list. Availability changes from year to year, so families should plan accordingly.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare WABE International School with
vs International School of Hamburg
Search for more schools
Search schools in Germany View all schools in Hamburg View all schools in Germany IB curriculum schools in Germany Open days & tours in Hamburg What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools