Relocating to Düsseldorf with Children: A School Guide for International Families
As of October 2026
Short answer
Families relocating to Düsseldorf can continue an English-language education at ISR International School on the Rhine: an international kindergarten in Düsseldorf-Niederkassel, the ISR Elementary School Düsseldorf for Grades 1 to 6 in Oberkassel from August 2027, and Kindergarten through Grade 12 at the ISR Campus Neuss, directly next to Düsseldorf. ISR accepts applications all year, including mid-year entry, and admissions meetings and knowledge checks can take place online before the move.
Children from British schools continue with Cambridge curricula, Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme, and every child learns German. Grade placement is decided individually; as a rule of thumb, ISR Grade 1 corresponds to Year 2 in England.
- All yearApplications, including mid-year entry
- OnlineAdmissions meetings and knowledge checks before the move
- Up to 75 kmSchool bus radius around the ISR Campus Neuss, subject to route availability
- 60 nationsIn the ISR community
Your Move, Step by Step
| As soon as the move is likely | Contact the ISR Admissions Team and complete the Applicant's Questionnaire. A German address or a fixed moving date is not needed yet. |
|---|---|
| Documents | Prepare school reports and transcripts from the last two years, identification and proof-of-age documents, information on the languages your child speaks, and any learning-support reports. ISR sends a personal checklist. |
| Before you move | Meet the Admissions Team online, and let your child take the age-appropriate knowledge check online. If the review is successful, ISR issues an offer of placement; where possible, ISR provides school documents for visa processes. |
| Choosing where to live | Consider which campus your children will attend in later years: Kindergarten in Düsseldorf-Niederkassel or Neuss, Grades 1–6 in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel (from August 2027) or Neuss, Grades 7–12 in Neuss. Test the journey at school time. |
| After arrival | Register your new address with the local residents' registration office; in Germany this is required within two weeks of moving in. |
| First weeks at ISR | Each new student is paired with a Student Ambassador from their class, who helps with routines and introduces classmates. |
Admissions steps follow the ISR admissions process; individual steps can vary by age and grade.
From UK Year to ISR Grade
| England and Wales | ISR grade | ISR stage | Curriculum at ISR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery and Reception (ages 3–5) | Kindergarten | ISR Kindergarten | Pre-school program in English, daily German lessons |
| Year 1 (ages 5–6) | Kindergarten (final year) or Grade 1, depending on date of birth | ISR Kindergarten or Elementary School | Pre-school program or Cambridge Primary |
| Year 2 (ages 6–7) | Grade 1 | Elementary School | Cambridge Primary |
| Years 3–7 (ages 7–12) | Grades 2–6 | Elementary School | Cambridge Primary; third language from Grade 6 |
| Years 8–9 (ages 12–14) | Grades 7–8 | Secondary School, ISR Campus Neuss | Cambridge Lower Secondary; optional Checkpoint examinations in Grade 8 |
| Years 10–11, GCSE years (ages 14–16) | Grades 9–10 | Secondary School, ISR Campus Neuss | Cambridge IGCSE |
| Years 12–13, Sixth Form (ages 16–18) | Grades 11–12 | Secondary School, ISR Campus Neuss | IB Diploma Programme (instead of A-levels) |
Typical equivalents only. ISR decides each student's grade individually, based on date of birth, completed grades, school records, curriculum background, English and German proficiency and the knowledge check. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different year names; ISR reviews these records in the same way.
Curriculum Continuity
Families from the UK
ISR's curriculum up to Grade 8 is aligned with Cambridge International, which is part of the University of Cambridge. Students who took or prepared for GCSEs continue with Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10. Instead of A-levels, students in Grades 11 and 12 take the IB Diploma Programme, which universities in the UK and worldwide accept for admission.
In the past three years, ISR graduates have received offers from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, King's College London, the London School of Economics, University College London and the University of St Andrews.
Families from the US and other international schools
ISR uses grade levels like American schools. In Grades 9 to 12, students earn credits toward the ISR High School Diploma, accredited by Cognia; every graduate also receives the IB Diploma. ISR reviews transcripts and completed courses to find the right grade and pathway.
Families who may stay in Germany
With the subject combination required by the KMK, the IB Diploma is recognized in Germany as a general university entrance qualification (allgemeine Hochschulreife). ISR has been listed in Annex 1 of the KMK agreement since the May 2021 examinations. Details: German University Qualification with the IB Diploma.
Families from Japan
ISR has a Japanese Desk in its Admissions Team, offers Japanese for native speakers from Grade 6 and Japanese as Language A in the IB Diploma Programme.
Getting to School: Locations and Commute
| Location | Address and transport | Ages and hours |
|---|---|---|
| ISR Kindergarten Düsseldorf | Niederkasseler Kirchweg 36, 40547 Düsseldorf-Niederkassel | From age 3 · care 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| ISR Elementary School Düsseldorf | Altes Comenius, Comeniusstraße 1, 40545 Düsseldorf-Oberkassel · near the Belsenplatz and Barbarossaplatz stops | Grades 1–6 · opening August 2027 · full-day care 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM at no extra cost |
| ISR Campus Neuss | Konrad-Adenauer-Ring 2, 41464 Neuss, directly next to Düsseldorf · school bus service within a radius of up to 75 km, subject to route availability | Kindergarten through Grade 12 · School: full-day supervision 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM at no extra cost |
| ISR Kindergarten Meerbusch | Isseldyk 51, 40667 Meerbusch-Büderich | Ages 1 to 6 · German-language with a bilingual program · care 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
The kindergarten in Niederkassel and the Altes Comenius in Oberkassel are in neighboring districts. School bus routes and stops to the ISR Campus Neuss are adjusted each year; ask the school bus partners for the stop nearest your new home.
Settling In: German and Community
Learning German and becoming part of the community
- Every child learns German at ISR, either as a native speaker or as a foreign language, from Kindergarten onward. Examples by age are on English and German at ISR.
- Children experience local traditions at school, such as the first day of school with a Schultüte and St. Martin's Day.
- Students from 60 nations attend ISR, so many classmates have moved countries themselves.
- Students who join during the school year are welcomed by a Student Ambassador from their class.
Relocating to Düsseldorf: Frequently Asked Questions
Which international school options are there for families moving to Düsseldorf?
Düsseldorf has several international and foreign-curriculum schools, including English-, French- and Japanese-language schools. ISR International School on the Rhine offers an English-language education from Kindergarten through Grade 12: a kindergarten in Düsseldorf-Niederkassel, the ISR Elementary School Düsseldorf in Oberkassel from August 2027, and the ISR Campus Neuss next to Düsseldorf.
Further information
Families can compare schools on the same seven criteria; see How to Choose an International School in Düsseldorf.
Can my child start at ISR in the middle of the school year?
Yes. ISR accepts applications throughout the year, and students can join during the academic year when a suitable place is available. The Admissions Team recommends a start date after reviewing the application.
Further information
Early contact is especially helpful for families with several children, for students entering the Secondary School and for grades with limited places.
Can we apply before we have an address in Düsseldorf?
Yes. Families can contact ISR as soon as their relocation plans become clear, even before the new address or moving date is confirmed. Admissions meetings and knowledge checks can take place online.
Further information
The process starts with the Applicant's Questionnaire.
Which ISR grade will my child join after Year 4 in England?
A child who has completed Year 4 in England typically joins Grade 4 at ISR, because ISR Grade 1 corresponds to Year 2. During the school year, a child in Year 4 is usually the same age as a child in ISR Grade 3. ISR decides the grade individually, based on date of birth, school records and the knowledge check.
Further information
The table above shows the typical equivalents for every year group.
My child is preparing for GCSEs. Can they continue at ISR?
Yes. Students who have started GCSE courses continue with Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10 at the ISR Campus Neuss. ISR reviews the subjects and learning objectives already completed to decide on the right grade and subjects.
Further information
After Grade 10, students continue with the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12; ISR does not offer A-levels.
Does my child need to speak German?
No. English is the language of instruction at ISR, and children without German learn it as a foreign language at their level. Children who are still learning English receive English as an Additional Language support.
Further information
More: English and German at ISR.
How do children get to ISR from Düsseldorf?
ISR Kindergarten Düsseldorf and, from August 2027, the ISR Elementary School Düsseldorf are in the city itself, in Niederkassel and Oberkassel. For the ISR Campus Neuss, ISR's partner companies run a school bus service within a radius of up to 75 km, subject to route availability.
Further information
Current routes, stops and prices are on the School Bus Service page.
Can ISR help with documents for a visa or relocation?
Where possible, ISR can provide school documents that support visa and relocation processes, for example confirmation of an offer of placement. Ask the Admissions Team which documents your relocation requires.
Further information
Contact: ISR Admissions, admissions@isr-school.de, or ISR at +49 (0)2131 40388-0.
How much does ISR cost?
ISR provides fee information individually after the Applicant's Questionnaire, because fees depend on campus, grade level, program, start date and academic year. ISR is financed entirely by tuition fees and receives no public funds; a sibling discount applies according to the current fee schedule.
Further information
Some employers cover school fees as part of a relocation package; ask your employer early. More on the Tuition Fees page.
Sources and Updates
- ISR admissions process and FAQ: Admissions and ISR FAQ.
- University offers and results: Paths to University and ISR in Numbers, as of October 2026.
- Recognition of the IB Diploma in Germany: KMK agreement on the recognition of the IB Diploma, Annex 1 (as of March 26, 2026).
- Residence registration: Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz), registration within two weeks of moving in.
- UK year groups and ages refer to England and Wales. Last updated: October 21, 2026.
Planning a move? Contact ISR at +49 (0)2131 40388-0 or info@isr-school.de, or the ISR Admissions Team at admissions@isr-school.de. For the ISR Elementary School Düsseldorf, contact Isabel Reimann at +49 (0)211 95074-14.
