Switching to a private school in Germany has no uniform legal requirements; each school sets its own, but current report cards, a personal get-to-know-you meeting, and often an admissions test are usually expected.
When switching to a private school, parents should plan carefully, aim for the start of a new school year, apply six to twelve months in advance, and prepare their child openly for the change.
When a child is unhappy at school, parents should first talk with them calmly, find out the cause, and then look for solutions together with the school, considering a change of school only when other measures have been exhausted.
Changing schools makes sense when a child's current school persistently holds back their academic development, well-being, or future prospects, or when a move or a new educational goal calls for it.
An IB Diploma is officially recognized by German universities, can replace the Abitur if certain requirements are met, and opens doors to universities and careers in more than 150 countries.
You switch from a German school to an international school by choosing a good entry point, submitting recent report cards, completing an age-appropriate Knowledge Check, and signing the enrollment contract.
When choosing an international school in Germany, parents should look at recognized qualifications, accreditations, class sizes, costs, language support, and university counseling.
Yes, in most cases an international school is the right choice for expat children in Germany, because it offers continuity in English, a welcoming international community, and qualifications recognized worldwide.
Classes at international schools in Germany usually have 15 to 25 students, significantly fewer than the 25 to 30 children per class common at regular German schools.
Yes, a German child can attend an international school without speaking English; younger children in particular pick up the language quickly, and international schools have specific structures to support them.
