The most important difference between a private and a public elementary school lies in the curriculum, the class structure, and the educational approach. Public elementary schools follow the binding curriculum of their respective German state, while private elementary schools, especially international schools, can offer their own curricula that go beyond national standards. Which type of school suits your child better depends on your educational goals, family circumstances, and your child’s individual needs.
The following questions highlight the most important differences and help you make your decision.
What Are the Key Differences in the Curriculum?
The curriculum is the most fundamental difference between private and public elementary schools. Public elementary schools in Germany teach according to the education plan of their respective state, with German as the main language of instruction and a fixed set of subjects. Private international elementary schools, on the other hand, can use recognized international curricula, often with English as the language of instruction and a much broader range of subjects from the very beginning.
At a private international elementary school, children receive lessons in the core subjects of English, math, German, and science. In addition, they receive weekly lessons in:
- Music
- Art
- Physical education
- Computer science
- Social and emotional learning
From third grade on, drama is added, and students regularly visit the school library. This broader offering fosters not only academic skills but also creative and social competencies.
How Does Multilingualism Differ Between Private and Public Elementary Schools?
Another key difference is multilingualism. While public elementary schools usually don’t begin foreign language instruction until grade 3 or 4, English is the language of instruction at international private schools from the start, and German is taught in parallel as a required subject. This creates a natural bilingualism that strengthens children in the long run.
How Do Class Sizes and Individual Support Differ?
Private elementary schools generally work with smaller classes than public schools, which enables a closer relationship between teachers and students. Smaller learning groups mean that teachers can identify individual learning gaps earlier and respond to them in a more targeted way, a decisive advantage for every child’s learning development.
At international private schools, individual support is often built into the structure. Weekly assessments, for example in the form of 45-minute tests alternating between English and math, allow teachers to continuously monitor learning levels and respond early. Additional academic support is offered in small groups during extracurricular time when several students need extra support in a subject.
How Does Peer Tutoring Work at a Private Elementary School?
From fourth grade on, peer tutoring complements the support program: older students from grades 11 and 12 support younger ones in the core subjects of math, English, and German. This model strengthens not only those being tutored but also the tutors themselves.
Public elementary schools also offer support measures. However, their scope and structure depend heavily on the individual school and the resources available.
How Much Does a Private Elementary School Cost Compared With a Public One?
Public elementary schools in Germany are free of charge; families only pay for school supplies, field trips, and, where applicable, after-school care. Private elementary schools charge tuition, which can vary considerably depending on the institution and location. These costs are a deliberate investment in an expanded educational offering, international accreditations, and a more comprehensive infrastructure.
When comparing costs, it is worth considering the full scope of what is offered. Private international schools often provide:
- Modern facilities such as science labs, IT rooms with access to 3D printers and VR headsets, and fitness centers
- Structured support programs
- Multilingual education
- Direct preparation for internationally recognized qualifications
These services are not available in this combination at public schools.
What Does Nonprofit Status Mean for a Private School?
Many private schools are organized as nonprofit institutions. This means that revenue is fully reinvested in the school, for the benefit of the students, not as profit for shareholders. For education-minded families who want to invest in their children’s future, this difference can play an important role in their decision.
Which Qualifications and Transitions Does Each Type of School Enable?
After four years (in most German states), public elementary schools lead to a recommendation for a secondary school such as Gymnasium, Realschule, or Hauptschule, all within the German school system. Private international elementary schools prepare children for internationally recognized educational paths that open doors to schools and universities worldwide.
At international schools like ISR International School on the Rhine in Neuss, near Düsseldorf, Germany, the Elementary School covers grades 1 to 6 and offers a continuous educational path that leads seamlessly into the Secondary School. The path continues as follows:
- In grades 9 and 10, students are prepared for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).
- In grades 11 and 12, they go on to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, a globally recognized qualification that also grants the German general university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife).
This continuous educational path is a key advantage of private international schools. In a familiar, stable environment, children develop the academic, social, and methodological foundations that prepare them for university studies in Germany, Europe, the Americas, Asia, or elsewhere.
Which Families Is a Private International Elementary School Suited For?
A private international elementary school is particularly well suited to families who value multilingual education, internationally recognized qualifications, and a culturally diverse school community. It is also the right choice for families who are internationally mobile or whose children are to be prepared for universities outside Germany.
Specifically, the following families benefit most from a private international elementary school:
- Relocating international families whose children prefer English as the language of instruction and want to settle quickly into a multicultural community
- German-speaking families who want to give their children a solid English-language education early on and are aiming for international qualifications
- Families with high educational aspirations who value structured assessments, individual support, and a broad range of subjects
- Families planning to relocate, since an internationally recognized educational path makes it easier to change schools in other countries
The school community is also important: at international schools, children from many different nations learn together, which fosters intercultural competence, open-mindedness, and language awareness from an early age. In a globalized world, these skills are a genuine foundation for the future.
How Do You Choose the Right Elementary School for Your Child?
You can find the right elementary school by considering your family’s educational goals, your child’s individual needs, and the long-term school perspective together. There is no universally correct answer, but there are clear criteria that can help you decide.
The following questions will help you get your bearings:
- Which language should be the language of instruction? Should your child be taught primarily in German or in English, or in both at the same time?
- Which qualifications are planned for the long term? Should your child aim for the German Abitur, the IB Diploma, or another international qualification?
- How important is individual support? Does your child need special support or special challenges that go beyond regular lessons?
- How settled is your place of residence? If you are planning a move abroad in the medium term, an internationally recognized educational path is particularly valuable.
- Which school community suits your family? Do you value cultural diversity, multilingualism, and an international environment?
Visit schools in person, talk with teachers and other parents, and, if possible, let your child experience a trial day. The first impression of how welcome your child feels is often just as telling as all the facts combined.
What Does ISR International School on the Rhine Offer as a Private International Elementary School?
At ISR International School on the Rhine, we offer children a continuous, internationally oriented educational path from first grade on that goes far beyond the standard of a traditional elementary school. Our ISR Elementary School in Düsseldorf combines structured academic learning with individual support, cultural diversity, and a warm, supportive school community.
What sets us apart as a private international elementary school:
- English as the language of instruction with German as a required subject, for genuine bilingualism from the start
- Weekly assessments to identify learning gaps early and provide targeted individual support
- A broad range of subjects including music, art, physical education, computer science, drama, and social-emotional learning
- Academic support and peer tutoring for students who need additional support
- A continuous educational path from grade 1 to the IB Diploma, with a direct transition to the ISR Secondary School
- A school community of more than 60 nations, for intercultural learning and genuine global perspectives
- State-of-the-art infrastructure on a spacious campus with science labs, IT rooms, and a fitness center
As a nonprofit institution, we reinvest all revenue in the school, for the benefit of our students. Would you like to learn more about how we can support your child on their educational journey? We warmly invite you to attend one of the ISR Info Days and get to know ISR in person.
