To apply to an international school in Germany, you first fill out an admissions questionnaire, visit the school, submit school reports, take an assessment test, and then receive an offer of admission. In the final step, you sign the enrollment contract. Applications are usually accepted year-round, but since places are limited, it is a good idea to start the process in late winter or early spring for the following school year.
The process is straightforward once you know what matters. This article explains step by step what to expect, from admission requirements and documents to costs and diplomas.
What Is an International School – and Is It Right for Our Family?
An international school is a private school that usually teaches in English and offers internationally recognized diplomas. Instead of the German curriculum, these schools often follow a curriculum such as the Cambridge program or prepare students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
International schools are a good fit for a range of families:
- Families who have moved to Germany from abroad and are looking for an English-language education
- German-speaking families who want to give their children an international perspective and a multilingual education
- Parents who want to prepare their children specifically for universities around the world
- Families who value small classes, individual support, and a diverse school community
Good to know: For kindergarten, there are usually no academic requirements. Children simply need to be at least three years old and able to understand simple instructions.
What Requirements Does My Child Need to Meet for Admission to an International School?
International schools are often not purely elite schools with strict entrance exams. Admission is based on a combination of age, current level of learning, and willingness to learn – not on a perfect report card. Specifically, this means the following for the different age groups:
- Kindergarten: No academic requirements, but the child should be at least three years old, understand simple instructions, and be potty trained.
- Elementary school (grades 1 to 4): A conversation with the school leadership and a brief assessment of comprehension and motor skills.
- Secondary school (grades 3 to 11): An assessment test appropriate to the child’s age and previous level of learning. The goal is to find the right starting point – not to screen children out.
Does My Child Need to Speak English to Apply?
English skills are helpful but not always required. Many international schools also admit children who do not yet speak English, and these children learn the language in class.
How Does the Application Process at an International School Work?
The application process at an international school is manageable and usually follows several clearly defined steps. Here is exactly what to expect:
- Fill out the admissions questionnaire: The first step is to fill out a questionnaire that gathers basic information about your child and your family. This is usually done online or by email.
- Campus visit: You will be invited to visit the school in person. This is a great opportunity to meet the team, see the facilities, and get a feel for the school community.
- Submit school reports: You submit current report cards and progress reports from the last two years. If available, psychological or educational assessments can also be helpful.
- Assessment test: All applicants for grades 3 to 11 take an assessment test. For younger children, the school leadership conducts a brief assessment.
- Offer of admission: After reviewing all documents and the test, you receive an offer with a specific recommendation for the appropriate grade level.
- Enrollment contract: In the final step, you sign the enrollment contract, and your child is officially part of the school community.
When Should We Apply?
Applications are usually accepted year-round. Since places are limited, it is a good idea to start the process in late winter or early spring for the following school year.
Which Documents Are Required for the Application?
For a complete application to an international school, you should have the following documents ready:
- The school’s completed admissions questionnaire
- Current report cards and progress reports from the last two years
- Any existing psychological or neurological assessments
- A copy of the child’s passport or ID card
- Proof of vaccination (depending on the school and federal state)
All documents are usually submitted to the school’s admissions team, either digitally by email or during your visit on site. The team guides you through the entire process and is always available to answer your questions.
How Much Does an International School in Germany Cost?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. International schools are private schools, and that is reflected in their tuition. The exact costs vary depending on the school, location, and grade level.
What you should know in general:
- Tuition usually covers instruction, learning materials, and often childcare services as well.
- Many schools offer all-day care, which can put the costs into perspective compared with a combination of school and external childcare.
- Some schools are organized as nonprofit institutions. This means that all revenue is fully reinvested in the school instead of being distributed as profit – which benefits students directly.
- For exact information on fees, it is best to ask the school directly, as prices are updated regularly.
Many parents see tuition as an investment in their children’s future. This is especially true when the school has a proven track record of university admissions around the world.
Which Diplomas Can You Earn at an International School in Germany?
One of the biggest advantages of an international school is the variety of recognized diplomas. They open doors to universities in Germany and around the world. The most important diplomas at a glance:
- Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), grades 9 and 10: The IGCSE is considered one of the most important middle school qualifications in the world. It is offered at almost 1,500 schools in 120 countries and is recognized by British, American, and international universities. Students who are aiming for the German Sekundarabschluss I (Mittlere Reife) can contact the Düsseldorf District Government about it.
- IB Diploma (grades 11 and 12): The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a university entrance qualification recognized worldwide. For the IB, students must take exams in six subjects, write an Extended Essay (EE), take part in a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, and complete the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) program. The IB Diploma can also be used to obtain the German general university entrance qualification (Abitur), provided the requirements of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK) are met.
- German university entrance qualification: Anyone who wants to study in Germany can, under certain conditions, have the IB Diploma recognized as equivalent to the Abitur and thus be admitted to German universities.
The worldwide average IB score is 30.6 points. Students who learn at a well-run international school can go well beyond that, which significantly improves their chances of admission to the universities of their choice.
How Does ISR International School on the Rhine Support Families Through the Application Process?
We know that choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions families make. At ISR International School on the Rhine in Neuss, near Düsseldorf, Germany, we accompany you from the first contact – for example at the ISR Info Days – to successful enrollment: transparently, personally, and as equals. Here is what you can expect from us:
- A clearly structured, family-friendly admissions process that puts your child at the center
- Personal advice from our experienced admissions team – in German and English
- International diplomas such as the Cambridge IGCSE certificate and the IB Diploma, which open doors to universities in Germany and around the world
- Small classes and a diverse school community in which children from a wide range of cultures feel at home
- All-day care options and a modern learning environment right on the Rhine
If you would like to learn more about our school, we look forward to welcoming you when you attend one of the ISR Info Days. You can also reach the admissions team personally by email at Admissions@isr-school.de; we are always happy to take the time to answer your questions.
