At an international school in Düsseldorf, children can usually learn at least three languages: English as the language of instruction, German as a required subject, and an additional foreign language such as French, Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese.
At an international school, students can earn the Cambridge IGCSE at the end of grade 10, the IB Diploma in grades 11 and 12, and often a school's own High School Diploma, with the IB Diploma also able to count as the German university entrance qualification.
The IB Diploma is widely regarded as more demanding than A-Levels, as candidates must perform across six subjects as well as the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS, whereas A-Level students specialize in three or four subjects.
You should start looking for a private school in Düsseldorf one to two years before the desired start date and ideally apply in the fall of the previous year, between October and December.
There is no single best age to start private school, but earlier is usually better, since most international private schools accept children from age three and switching later is possible at any school age with good support.
A private school in Düsseldorf differs from a public school mainly in funding, curriculum, and individual support: it charges tuition but can offer its own educational concept, smaller classes, and internationally recognized diplomas.
A private school often offers smaller classes, more individual support, a more structured curriculum, and additional programs such as international diplomas, multilingual instruction, and modern facilities that are not always available at public schools.
For many families a private school is worth it, because it often offers smaller classes, a structured curriculum, and individual support, but whether it pays off depends on your expectations, your child's needs, and what the individual school offers.
You should consider changing schools when your child has not been making progress academically, socially, or emotionally over an extended period and the current school cannot provide sufficient support.
An international school is a school that teaches in English, offers internationally recognized diplomas such as the Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma, and welcomes children from many different countries.
