Berlin International School

Unique Feature: Dual-Credential Pathway

Among international schools in Germany, BIS stands out for its dual-credential model: students graduate with both the internationally recognised IB Diploma and the German state qualification (Mittlerer Schulabschluss, MSA), making their qualifications portable in both German and global university admissions contexts.

Why This Matters

Most purely international schools in Germany operate under exemptions that allow them to bypass German state curricula. BIS, as a licensed Berlin private school operating within the state system, must satisfy the Berlin Senate's educational requirements alongside IB standards. For families who may stay in Germany long-term, or for German-passport students who might one day enter the German university system (Hochschule), this dual recognition is a significant practical advantage.

No Boarding, Full Day School

BIS is exclusively a day school, which distinguishes it from some international schools that offer boarding. All students return home each afternoon. Daily hot lunch is included in tuition fees for Grades 1–12, supporting a full school day model consistent with the Berlin Ganztagsschule (all-day school) concept.

Broad Co-Curricular Programme

BIS offers approximately 30 After-School Activities (ASA) daily, spanning competitive sports (soccer, basketball, swimming, athletics), performing arts (drama, choir, orchestra), academic clubs (Model UN, Math Olympiad, Debate), STEM activities (robotics, programming), and service/environmental clubs. Weekend activities further complement the programme. This breadth, unusual for a school of under 900 students, reflects the IB's CAS requirement and the school's commitment to holistic development.

Cambridge and College Board Testing Centre

Beyond the IB, BIS is a licensed exam centre for Cambridge IGCSE and College Board (SAT/AP) examinations, giving students access to additional internationally recognised qualifications and standardised tests from within the school — a convenience that supports flexible university applications to the UK, US, and beyond.

Educational Philosophy

Berlin International School (BIS) grounds its entire educational identity in the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, implementing all three IB programmes — the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) — in a seamless continuum from Grade 1 through Grade 12.

Student-Centred Learning

The school describes its approach as schülerorientiertes Lernen (student-centred learning), meaning that lessons are designed around inquiry, critical thinking, and student agency rather than passive knowledge transfer. Teachers act as facilitators who guide students to construct understanding, ask meaningful questions, and reflect on their own learning process.

Multicultural and Humanistic Values

BIS's official mission statement articulates a commitment to implementing both the IB Learner Profile values and the educational goals of the State of Berlin, while fostering a humane and multicultural community. With students from more than 73 nationalities, the school treats cultural diversity not merely as a demographic fact but as a pedagogical asset — one that enriches classroom discourse and prepares young people for global citizenship.

Non-Denominational and Non-Profit Identity

As a non-profit (gemeinnützig) and confessionally independent (konfessionell unabhängig) institution, BIS operates free from religious or commercial pressures. It belongs to the Stiftung Private Kant-Schulen group, which reinforces its foundation-oriented governance and long-term educational mission over short-term profit.

Dual Academic and Civic Accountability

An important and somewhat distinctive feature of BIS's philosophy is its dual accountability: it must simultaneously meet the rigorous international standards of the IB Organisation and comply with the regulatory requirements of the Berlin Senate's education department. This means students sit not only the IB Diploma but also the German Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA) at the end of Grade 10, ensuring that graduates hold qualifications recognised both internationally and within the German educational system.

Languages as a Core Value

Language learning is embedded in the philosophy from the earliest grades. English is the primary language of instruction, but German is taught from Grade 1 as a foreign (and for many students, host-country) language, and students in Grade 6 and above may choose French or Spanish. This multilingual orientation reflects the school's belief that linguistic competence is inseparable from genuine international-mindedness.

Academic Culture at BIS

Berlin International School has built its academic culture around the IB continuum — three connected programmes that take students from age 6 through the IB Diploma at age 18. Each programme feeds naturally into the next, creating coherence in pedagogy, assessment philosophy, and student expectations.

Primary Years Programme (PYP) — Grades 1–5

In the lower school, the PYP's transdisciplinary approach encourages students to make connections across subject areas through Units of Inquiry. Assessment is formative and portfolio-based, emphasising reflection and process over test scores. Teachers are qualified according to both IB standards and Berlin state requirements.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) — Grades 6–10

The MYP develops greater subject-discipline depth while maintaining inter-disciplinary connections. A defining feature at BIS is that MYP completion coincides with preparation for the German Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA) examination at the end of Grade 10. This dual-credential requirement means students must demonstrate competence by both IB and German state standards — a rigorous combination that validates academic readiness for both international and German university pathways.

Diploma Programme (DP) — Grades 11–12

The IB Diploma is the capstone qualification, taken over two years with six subject groups, Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay, and the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirement. Annual tuition rises to EUR 18,240 for this stage, reflecting the increased teacher specialisation and examination preparation involved. BIS historically places DP students in universities across Europe, North America, and beyond, though formal results data is not publicly published.

Technology Integration

The school integrates technology across all year levels. Multiple computer labs, campus-wide WiFi, and laptop carts support digital literacy as a cross-curricular skill aligned with IB expectations. The school is noted for its intentional use of technology in teaching and learning.

Selective Admissions, High Expectations

BIS is academically selective: from Grade 6 upward, entrance tests in English and Mathematics are required. This selectivity contributes to a classroom culture of high expectation and peer motivation. Students are expected to handle English-medium instruction from day one, though an EAL support programme is available for those building towards full fluency.

Community and Demographics

One of BIS's most defining characteristics is the sheer diversity of its student body. With students from 73 nationalities and an enrollment of approximately 820–900 pupils, the school is genuinely international rather than simply English-language.

A 75/25 International-Local Balance

Roughly 75% of students are international (children of expatriates, diplomats, and internationally mobile families), while approximately 25% are local German students whose families have chosen an international education. This balance means the school avoids the insularity that can affect purely expatriate schools: German students bring local cultural knowledge and long-term community ties, while international families bring global perspectives and linguistic diversity.

Small Classes, Personal Attention

With an average class size of approximately 18 students and an estimated student-teacher ratio of around 7–8:1, BIS is able to offer a level of personal attention rarely found in larger state or international schools. Teachers can track individual progress closely and adapt instruction to diverse learning profiles.

Location: Dahlem, Berlin's Academic Village

The school is situated in Dahlem, a leafy, prestigious district of southwest Berlin historically associated with academic institutions (the Free University of Berlin and several Max Planck Institutes are nearby). The campus at Lentzeallee 8/14 is well-served by public transport — S-Bahn (Dahlem-Dorf), U-Bahn (Thielplatz), and several bus lines — making it accessible from across the city.

Parent and Staff Community

BIS's parent community reflects the same diversity as its students, with many families cycling through Berlin on diplomatic or corporate assignments. The school actively communicates in English and German to serve both communities, and staff are drawn internationally with all teachers holding certified qualifications recognised by Berlin state requirements. The school's College Counselor and Admissions Officer are named contacts, indicating an accessible and transparent administrative culture.

Admissions Culture at BIS

Berlin International School takes a rolling admissions approach — there is no single annual application deadline. Families can apply at any point in the year through the school's OpenApply portal, though popular year groups (particularly in the middle school) can develop waiting lists, so earlier applications are advantageous.

Application Process

The admissions process varies by grade level:

• Kindergarten/Early Years: Parent interview and a basic school readiness assessment. No formal academic test. English exposure is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Grades 1–5 (Primary): Submission of recent school reports; prospective students attend a trial day on campus to experience lessons and interact with peers. Selection is based on fit, readiness, and available places.
• Grades 6–10 (Middle/High): Formal written entrance tests in English and Mathematics are required. Strong English proficiency is expected since all academic instruction is in English. German language knowledge is beneficial but not a requirement for admission.
• Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma): Entry based on prior academic performance; additional subject-specific tests may be required. The IB Diploma track is academically rigorous and students must demonstrate readiness for university-level preparation.

English Proficiency

While BIS offers an EAL (English as an Additional Language) support programme to help students reach grade-level English, the school does expect meaningful English skills — particularly in upper grades — since all core academic subjects are taught in English. Students who need additional English support can access this resource, but it is designed as a bridge, not a long-term substitute for full immersion.

Financial Accessibility

BIS recognises that its fees (ranging from EUR 12,300 to EUR 18,240 per year) may be a barrier for some families. Need-based financial aid in the form of income-related, sliding-scale bursaries is available to qualifying families. Bursary schedules are reviewed annually. No merit-based scholarships are currently advertised.

One-Time Admission Fee

A single Admission Fee of EUR 800 is charged at the time of application — a modest amount by international school standards, reflecting BIS's accessibility-oriented approach. There is no large enrollment deposit or capital levy.