Frankfurt International School

A Continuous IB Education

Frankfurt International School's academic identity is inseparable from the International Baccalaureate. As one of the founding IB schools in the world (member since 1968, first diplomas 1972), FIS has shaped its entire curriculum around the IB framework at every level:

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): For students aged 3–11, emphasizing inquiry-led, transdisciplinary learning.
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): For students in Grades 6–10 (ages 11–16), developing conceptual understanding and interdisciplinary connections.
• IB Diploma Programme (DP): For Grades 11–12 (ages 16–18), the internationally recognized university-preparatory qualification.

IB Diploma Breadth and Excellence

The IB DP subject menu at FIS is comprehensive. Students select one subject from each of the six groups:

• Group 1 (Language & Literature): English A, German A, Korean A, Japanese A, French A, and Self-Taught Language (all HL/SL)
• Group 2 (Language Acquisition): English B, German B, French B, Spanish B (HL/SL); plus Ab Initio options in German, French, and Spanish (SL)
• Group 3 (Individuals & Societies): Business & Management, Economics, Environmental Systems & Society, Geography, Global Politics, History, Psychology
• Group 4 (Sciences): Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, ESS, Design Technology, Sports/Exercise & Health
• Group 5 (Mathematics): Mathematics Analysis & Approaches and Mathematics Applications & Interpretations (both HL/SL)
• Group 6 (Arts): Dance, Film, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts (all HL/SL)

Required core components—Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS—are integral to the programme.

Outstanding Results

The Class of 2025 delivered exceptional IB results:

• 136 candidates sat the IB Diploma
• 98% pass rate (global average is approximately 80%)
• Average score: 36 points (global average is approximately 30)
• 31% scored 40 or above out of a maximum 45

These figures place FIS well above global norms and signal consistent academic excellence.

High School Diploma and German Abitur Equivalency

All Grade 9–12 students work toward the FIS High School Diploma, accredited by NEASC. For those completing the IB Diploma, the qualification holds Abitur equivalency in Germany, allowing access to German universities—a significant advantage for students who may wish to study locally or across Europe after graduation.

Inquiry-Based Pedagogy

Beyond credentials, FIS's teaching philosophy is rooted in inquiry-based learning. Teachers are trained to develop students' critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and global awareness—preparing them not just for university admissions, but for lifelong learning in a complex world.

Origins in the Expatriate Community

Frankfurt International School traces its origins to 1961, when six expatriate families living in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region recognized the need for a quality international education for their children. They established the school in a converted old villa in Oberursel—a leafy suburb northwest of Frankfurt—opening with just 120 students and 11 teachers. The school was organized as a non-profit association (Verein), a governance model it retains to this day, ensuring that it operates in the interests of its community rather than for profit.

Founding IB World School

One of FIS's most significant milestones came in 1968, when the school became a founding member of the International Baccalaureate Organization. This was a bold step that aligned FIS with an emerging global movement to create a universally recognized university-preparatory qualification. The first IB Diplomas were awarded to FIS students in 1972, establishing a tradition of academic rigor that continues to define the school's identity. Today FIS offers all three IB programmes—the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP)—making it a truly continuous IB education from age 3 to 18.

Growth and Expansion

As Frankfurt grew into one of Europe's major financial hubs, demand for international education intensified. FIS responded by expanding its Oberursel campus significantly over the decades. In 1992, a second campus was established in Wiesbaden, extending the school's reach approximately 40 kilometers to serve the western Rhine-Main corridor. This campus serves students from PreK through Grade 8 (approximately 200 students), offering the same IB PYP and MYP curriculum as Oberursel.

The Oberursel campus continued to invest in infrastructure. A landmark 600-seat auditorium opened in 2011, reflecting the school's growing emphasis on the performing arts and community events. The Wiesbaden campus received a new arts and library building around 2020, demonstrating continued commitment to modern learning environments even at the smaller site.

Today

FIS now serves approximately 1,800 students from more than 60 nationalities, with roughly 380 faculty and staff. The Oberursel campus spans an impressive 65,000 m² of grounds. The school is accredited by NEASC and is a member of ECIS and AGIS. Its IB Diploma results are consistently strong—the Class of 2025 achieved an average of 36 points with a 98% pass rate, cementing FIS's reputation as one of Germany's premier international schools.

The International Community at FIS

Frankfurt International School is home to approximately 1,800 students from more than 60 nationalities, reflecting Frankfurt's status as one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities and its significance as a global financial center. The student body is predominantly composed of expatriate and internationally mobile families, including diplomat families, corporate assignees, and long-term foreign residents.

Language as Community

Language is central to the FIS community ethos. While English is the primary language of instruction (~85% of academic content), the school actively celebrates multilingualism:

• German is a compulsory first additional language for all students.
• Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean are offered at various levels in the secondary curriculum.
• 12 mother-tongue languages are taught, including Korean, French, and Japanese, recognizing that many students come from non-English-speaking homes.
• A robust English Language Acquisition (ELA) program ensures that students new to English can access the curriculum, using WIDA assessment standards and a combination of co-teaching and pull-out support at primary/elementary level.

Student Support Ecosystem

FIS recognizes that an international community brings unique challenges—frequent transitions, cultural adjustment, and identity formation across languages and cultures. The school addresses this through:

• A team of approximately 10 counselors across both campuses (covering Wiesbaden, Oberursel Primary, Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels).
• A Learning Support program using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for students with mild learning differences.
• Specialist contracted services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and uniquely, equine therapy at the Wiesbaden campus.

House System and Activities

FIS operates a House system that brings students together across year groups, fostering a sense of belonging and friendly competition. With 100+ clubs and activities at each campus, students from every background can find their niche—whether in music, sports, robotics, service learning, or cultural clubs like K-Pop Dance and Irish Dance. The REAL Activities program at primary level ensures that even the youngest students benefit from structured after-school enrichment.

A Community Beyond the Classroom

The FIS community extends well beyond the school gates. Parents are active partners in the school's life, and alumni return as educators, speakers, and donors. The school's lunch program—run by an FIS alumna—is a small but telling example of how deeply the community invests in the school and how the school invests back in its graduates.

The Oberursel Campus: A City of Learning

The main FIS campus in Oberursel (An der Waldlust 15, 61440 Oberursel) is a large, purpose-built international school campus spanning approximately 65,000 m² in the forested hills northwest of Frankfurt. It is home to the school's Primary School (separately addressed at Alfred-Lechler-Str. 10), Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, serving students from age 3 to 18.

Key Facilities at Oberursel

• 600-seat performing arts auditorium (opened 2011), used for school productions, graduation ceremonies, and community events.
• Arts, Creativity & Education (ACE) Center – a dedicated arts wing supporting visual arts, music, drama, and dance.
• Multiple gymnasiums (9 gyms across both campuses) and athletic fields for soccer, track and field, and other sports.
• Science and technology laboratories supporting IB sciences at HL and SL.
• Libraries: Primary School library (12,000+ volumes) and Elementary/Upper School library (16,000+ volumes).
• Playgrounds and outdoor spaces suited to the younger year groups in the Primary School.

Getting There

The campus is exceptionally well-connected. The Hohemark U-Bahn station (Line U3) is just 190 meters (approximately 3 minutes' walk) from the school gates, connecting directly to central Frankfurt. The school also operates a network of over 50 bus routes across the Rhine-Main region, making commuting practical for families across a wide geographic area. By car, Frankfurt Airport is approximately 30 minutes away.

The Wiesbaden Campus: A Smaller, Nurturing Community

The Wiesbaden campus (Rudolf-Dietz-Str. 14, 65207 Wiesbaden) is located approximately 40 kilometers from central Frankfurt and serves around 200 students from PreK through Grade 8 (ages 3–14). It offers the IB PYP and MYP programmes in a more intimate setting that many families find especially suitable for younger children.

The campus received a new arts and library building around 2020, and also offers gym facilities, music and dance rooms. A unique feature is the provision of equine therapy as part of the Learning Support program at this campus.

Daily Life

The school day runs approximately 08:35–15:10. No uniform is required, allowing students to express their individuality. Daily hot lunches (with vegetarian options) are provided on both campuses, managed by an FIS alumna—reflecting the school's strong community bonds. After school, students can participate in 100+ clubs and REAL Activities, ensuring the campus remains a lively hub well into the afternoon.

A School That Cares

Frankfurt International School's pastoral philosophy is built on the recognition that academic success and personal wellbeing are inseparable. The school's core value of 'Embrace Community' is reflected in a comprehensive ecosystem of support services that extends from the earliest years through graduation.

Counseling Team

FIS maintains a dedicated counseling presence at every level of the school:

Counselors address a wide range of social-emotional needs, including transitions between schools and countries (a particularly common challenge in an internationally mobile community), stress management, self-esteem, and—explicitly listed—bullying prevention and response. The counseling program also supports students navigating culture shock and identity questions that arise from growing up across multiple countries and languages.

Safeguarding Policy

FIS takes safeguarding seriously, stating publicly that it is 'a place where safeguarding is foundational.' The school maintains formal safeguarding and anti-bullying policies, and the presence of dedicated counselors at every level ensures consistent implementation.

Learning Support: Multi-Tiered Systems

The Learning Support program at FIS employs a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, ensuring that students receive differentiated help based on their individual needs:

• Tier 1: High-quality classroom instruction for all students
• Tier 2: Targeted small-group interventions
• Tier 3: Intensive individualized support

In addition to in-school support, FIS contracts specialist services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and the distinctively holistic equine therapy at the Wiesbaden campus—an unusual and thoughtful provision that speaks to the school's commitment to diverse pathways to wellbeing.

EAL: Welcoming New Language Learners

For students arriving without strong English proficiency, the English Language Acquisition (ELA) program provides structured support using the internationally recognized WIDA assessment framework. At Primary and Elementary level, ELA teachers work through co-teaching and pull-out models. At Wiesbaden, small-group ELA support is available throughout. This means that even students with limited English can join FIS and access a world-class education while developing their language skills in a supportive environment.

House System: Belonging Beyond the Classroom

The House system creates cross-age bonds and a sense of school identity that complements the academic programme. Students in different year groups share a House, participating together in activities and competitions that build community spirit and peer mentorship—particularly valuable in a school where student turnover due to family relocations can be high.