How Does Changing Schools Work?

Changing schools usually takes place in several steps: Parents first determine the right time, gather the required documents, enroll their child at the new school, and support them during the settling-in period. The ideal time is usually the start of a new school year, although a switch at the semester break is also possible. The exact process depends on whether the switch takes place within the German school system or to an international school.

The following questions cover the most important aspects of changing schools step by step.

When Is the Right Time to Change Schools?

The ideal time to change schools is usually the start of a new school year, as children can then start together with new classmates and settle in more easily. Switching at the semester break is also possible but requires more coordination with the receiving school. As a general rule: The earlier the decision is made, the smoother the transition will be.

Certain transition phases are particularly well suited to changing schools, such as moving from elementary school to secondary school or the transition to the upper grades. At these moments, fresh starts feel especially natural for children because many of their peers are also starting at a new school.

When family reasons such as a move or a job transfer make a switch necessary, the timing cannot always be chosen freely. In these cases, early communication with both schools is particularly important to avoid gaps in learning.

Which Documents Are Needed to Change Schools?

To change schools, you usually need the current report card, a certificate of attendance from the previous school, proof of vaccination, and the child’s birth certificate. International schools often require additional documents, such as proof of language skills or previous school reports in English.

The exact requirements vary depending on the type of school and the federal state. Different rules apply to a switch within North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) than to a switch from a school abroad to a German institution. Parents should therefore find out early and directly from the receiving school which documents are specifically required, because a complete set of documents speeds up the application process considerably and prevents unnecessary delays.

The set of documents typically includes the following:

• The most recent report card or current record of achievement
• Certificate of attendance from the previous school
• The child’s birth certificate
• Proof of vaccination (mandatory in some federal states)
• The new school’s application form
• For international schools: previous school reports in English and, if applicable, proof of language skills

How Does the Application Process at a New School Work?

The application process begins with contacting the new school, followed by submitting the required documents. Many schools then invite families to a personal conversation or a trial day before admission is officially confirmed. Depending on the school, the entire process takes a few weeks.

At public schools in Germany, the application process is often governed by clear deadlines and catchment areas. Private and international schools usually have more flexibility, but also their own admission criteria. These may include admissions interviews, placement tests, or trial lessons to ensure that the child fits well into the learning community and meets the language requirements.

When Should Parents Withdraw Their Child From the Previous School?

Once the new school has accepted the child, parents should officially inform the previous school of the change and submit the withdrawal in writing. In NRW, withdrawal from the old school is generally only possible after written confirmation of admission from the new school, to ensure that the child is never left without a school place.

What Happens to Previous School Achievements When Changing Schools?

When changing schools, previous school achievements are passed on to the new school in the form of report cards and records of achievement. On this basis, the new school assesses which class or performance level the child will be placed in. Changing schools does not automatically mean that achievements are lost.

If the curriculum of the old and new schools differs significantly, for example when switching from a German curriculum to an international curriculum such as the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) or the International Baccalaureate (IB), there may be differences in content. Some topics have already been covered at the old school, others not yet. A good new school therefore carries out a placement assessment and offers targeted support to close any gaps quickly.

Parents should talk openly with the new school about their child’s previous level of learning. The more transparent the communication, the more precisely the school can put individual support measures in place.

How Can Children Cope With Changing Schools More Easily?

Children cope more easily with changing schools when they are well prepared, are allowed to get to know the new school in advance, and receive emotional support at home. Open conversations about expectations and fears help children feel more secure. Most children get used to their new environment within a few weeks.

A few practical measures can make the transition significantly easier:

• Visit the school in advance: A trial day or an open school day gives children the opportunity to get to know the new environment before the first regular day of school.
• Connect with classmates: If possible, children should make contact with future classmates before the first day of school.
• Keep routines in place: Stable daily routines give children security, even when a lot is new.
• Talk openly about feelings: Parents should actively ask how their child is doing at the new school, without putting pressure on them.
• Be patient: The settling-in period varies in length. Some children need a few weeks, others a few months.

Schools that actively welcome new students, for example through buddy programs or a structured orientation week, make the start considerably easier.

What Should Parents Clarify Before Changing Schools?

Before changing schools, parents should clarify whether the new school suits their child’s learning style and needs, which admission requirements apply, and how the curriculum is structured. It is also important to know the deadlines for enrollment and withdrawal so that no gaps in compulsory schooling arise.

In addition, it is advisable to clarify the following points in advance:

• Commute and accessibility: Is the new school easy to reach, and how will the daily commute be organized?
• Language of instruction: Especially when switching to an international school, parents should check whether their child has sufficient command of the language of instruction or needs targeted language support.
• Recognized diplomas: Which diplomas does the new school offer, and are they recognized in Germany and internationally?
• Costs: Private or international schools charge tuition. This should be communicated transparently and planned for in the family budget.
• Counseling services: Does the new school offer support with choosing a university and career?

A personal conversation with the school leadership or the new school’s counseling team is the best way to clarify all open questions and make a well-founded decision.

What Is Different When Switching to a Private School?

If you want to move your child from a public school to a private school, you should know that the process differs significantly in some respects from a switch within the public school system. This does not mean that the switch is more complicated – but there are different ground rules that parents should be prepared for:

• Admission is not automatically guaranteed. Unlike public schools, which usually assign places based on where you live, private schools decide for themselves whom they admit. Each school has its own admission criteria, which, in addition to academic performance, may also take into account other factors such as motivation, social maturity, or language skills.
• Placement tests are common. Most private schools want to know a child’s current level of knowledge before making a decision. Placement tests in core subjects such as math, German, or English are therefore standard and no cause for concern – they help the school support the child properly from the start.
• Report cards from the last one to two years are required. Private schools generally look at a child’s academic development over a longer period. Parents should have the report cards from the last two school years at hand; sometimes additional records of achievement or assessments are also requested.
• Application deadlines are often earlier. If you want to enroll your child for the new school year, you should ideally apply in late winter or spring – significantly earlier than for public schools. Popular schools have limited places, and those who apply early have more choice.
• However, many private schools also accept applications year-round. This is an important difference from public schools: If you are planning a change of school at short notice or are moving in the middle of the school year, you often still have a realistic chance at private schools – provided places are still available. So switching in the middle of the school year is entirely possible.
• Tuition needs to be budgeted for. Private schools charge tuition, the amount of which varies depending on the school and grade level. These costs should be factored into the family budget early on. Many schools provide transparent information about their fee structure and also offer consultations on request.

How Does ISR International School on the Rhine Support You When Changing Schools?

Changing schools is a significant step, and we know that it raises many questions for both children and parents. As an international school in Neuss, near Düsseldorf, Germany, ISR International School on the Rhine actively guides families through this process so that the transition goes as smoothly as possible. The ISR admissions and application process is structured to accompany families from the first inquiry to the first day of school.

At ISR, applications are possible throughout the year – including in the middle of the current school year. The admissions process follows six clearly defined steps:

1. Applicant questionnaire: The first step is to fill out an applicant questionnaire. This is possible at any time – even during the current school year. It gives the admissions team a first impression of the family and the child.
2. Campus tour: Families are invited for a personal visit to the ISR campus in Neuss. The admissions team welcomes you personally, shows you around the school, and answers all your questions in a relaxed setting.
3. Submit report cards: In the next step, report cards and records of achievement from the last two years are submitted. If available, psychological or neurological assessments can also be included – they help us support the child as well as possible from the start.
4. Knowledge check / placement test: The placement process differs depending on the grade level: In grades 1 and 2, there is a short conversation with the school coordinator. From grade 3 to grade 9, children take a placement test in English, math, and German – it lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours. For grades 10 and 11, social sciences, natural sciences, and, if applicable, another foreign language are added; here the test takes one to two days. From grade 8, a personal conversation with the school principal is also part of the process.
5. Admission decision: The admission decision is based on the individual student profile – i.e., the child’s academic background, motivation, and social and emotional development. The goal is to make sure that the child fits well into the school community and can be supported optimally.
6. School contract: After a positive admission decision, families receive an Offer of Placement and the enrollment contract. Signing it secures the place.

For all questions about the admissions process, Isabel Reimann and Aicha Gall from our admissions team are personally available to you. They accompany families from the first inquiry to the first day of school and help make the switch as straightforward as possible.

If you would like to see ISR for yourself, we warmly invite you to attend one of the ISR Info Days – or simply arrange a personal visit that fits your schedule.