You should enroll your child at an international school as early as possible, ideally between January and March of the year before the desired start, although applications are accepted throughout the year.
An IB school follows the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate curriculum and prepares students for universities worldwide, while regular private schools in Germany follow the German system and lead to the Abitur.
An all-day school offers a structured program of education and care throughout the day, with lunch, homework supervision, and activities following lessons, unlike a half-day school that ends at midday.
An international school teaches in English, follows an internationally recognized curriculum with qualifications such as the Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma, and prepares students for universities worldwide, unlike a regular German school.
Private schools are privately operated and funded mainly through tuition, while public schools are run by the state and free of charge; they often differ in class size, teaching concept, languages, and individual support.
After elementary school, Germany has several types of secondary school, the Gymnasium, Realschule, Gesamtschule, and Hauptschule, plus international schools that offer qualifications such as the Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma.
