BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School vs Berlin International School

	B BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School Berlin, Germany	B Berlin International School Berlin, Germany
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €14,900 - 25,100	Fees / year €12,425 - 18,240
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Reggio Emilia Approach	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 840	Pupils 900
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened 1991	Opened 1998
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location BBIS is located on a peaceful green campus just outside Berlin, BBIS offers students the rare combination of a safe and spacious learning environment with easy access to one of Europe’s most dynamic capital cities. Set within a forested 360,000 sqm campus in Kleinmachnow, on the southwest border of Berlin, BBIS provides an ideal setting for learning, growth and discovery. While close to both Berlin and Potsdam, the campus offers a calm and inspiring environment where students can focus, explore and thrive. The school is well connected by school buses and public transport, allowing students to benefit from the cultural, academic and professional opportunities of the capital region while enjoying the safety and community of our campus.	Location Lentzeallee 8/14, 14195 Berlin, in southwest Berlin (Campus Lentzeallee).
Stages	Stages BBIS consists of a Primary School and a Secondary School. The Primary School includes the IB Primary Years Programme (Early Education) and IB Primary Years Programme (Grade 1-5). The Secondary School includes the IB Middle Years Programme (Grade 6-10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grade 11-12).	Stages Primary (Grades 1–5); Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10); IB Diploma (Grades 11–12).
School type	School type BBIS is an international day and boarding school.	School type Private, non-profit, non-denominational day school. It is an IB World School, fully accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), and is part of Stiftung Private-Kant-Schulen gGmbH.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 75+ nationalities are represented at BBIS.	Pupil nationality mix 70+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Support tailors instruction to meet each learner's needs and helps them access the general curriculum. English as an Additional Language provides targeted small-group support and in-class guidance across Primary and Secondary, with EAL specialists collaborating with classroom teachers. In Secondary, EAL work is supported in Humanities and Science, and through the Learning Lab for targeted interventions in academic writing and study skills.	Additional learning support Language support programs for English and German at different levels to compensate for language deficits.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Germany; State of Berlin.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Non-denominational.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details The BBIS bus service is provided through PotsdamBus GmbH. They have an office on campus and families should contact them directly to discuss schedules, routes, terms and conditions.	Bus service details The school offers a bus service.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Annual tuition — Early Education and Primary (per year and instalment amounts) - Early Education (3–4 years): EUR 14,900 per year. Instalments: 60% = EUR 8,940 (due 1 August); 40% = EUR 5,960 (due 1 January). - Early Education (5 years): EUR 15,900 per year. Instalments: 60% = EUR 9,540 (due 1 August); 40% = EUR 6,360 (due 1 January). - Primary School (Grade 1–5): fees are shown as minimum and maximum annual amounts to reflect the school's fee-adjustment scheme. Instalments below apply to each listed annual amount (60% due 1 August; 40% due 1 January). - Grade 1: EUR 175 to EUR 18,800 per year. Instalment examples: minimum 60% = EUR 105 / 40% = EUR 70; maximum 60% = EUR 11,280 / 40% = EUR 7,520. - Grade 2: EUR 175 to EUR 19,400 per year. Instalment examples: minimum 60% = EUR 105 / 40% = EUR 70; maximum 60% = EUR 11,640 / 40% = EUR 7,760. - Grade 3: EUR 175 to EUR 19,700 per year. Instalment examples: minimum 60% = EUR 105 / 40% = EUR 70; maximum 60% = EUR 11,820 / 40% = EUR 7,880. - Grade 4: EUR 175 to EUR 20,800 per year. Instalment examples: minimum 60% = EUR 105 / 40% = EUR 70; maximum 60% = EUR 12,480 / 40% = EUR 8,320. - Grade 5: EUR 175 to EUR 21,000 per year. Instalment examples: minimum 60% = EUR 105 / 40% = EUR 70; maximum 60% = EUR 12,600 / 40% = EUR 8,400. Secondary tuition (per year and instalment amounts) - Grades 6–10: fees are shown as minimum and maximum annual amounts. Instalments (60% due 1 August; 40% due 1 January): - Grade 6: EUR 175 to EUR 21,800 per year. Maximum instalments: 60% = EUR 13,080 / 40% = EUR 8,720. - Grade 7: EUR 175 to EUR 22,000 per year. Maximum instalments: 60% = EUR 13,200 / 40% = EUR 8,800. - Grade 8: EUR 175 to EUR 22,200 per year. Maximum instalments: 60% = EUR 13,320 / 40% = EUR 8,880. - Grade 9: EUR 175 to EUR 23,200 per year. Maximum instalments: 60% = EUR 13,920 / 40% = EUR 9,280. - Grade 10: EUR 175 to EUR 23,500 per year. Maximum instalments: 60% = EUR 14,100 / 40% = EUR 9,400. - Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma years): - Grade 11: EUR 24,300 per year. Instalments: 60% = EUR 14,580 / 40% = EUR 9,720. - Grade 12: EUR 24,400 per year. Instalments: 60% = EUR 14,640 / 40% = EUR 9,760. Note: the Grade 12 fee does not include IBO examination fees (these are charged separately by the IB). One-time and registration fees - One-time registration fee (payable on signing of the school contract / registration): EUR 7,500 (applicable as shown alongside each school-level entry). The registration fee and deposits are due upon receipt of the signed contracts. - One-time application fee (credited upon conclusion of the school contract): EUR 100 (this amount is applied/credited as described). Boarding fees and related charges - Annual boarding fee (Grades 9–12): EUR 25,100 per year. Instalments: normally invoiced in two instalments with 60% due on 1 August and 40% due on 1 January. - Boarding additional charges: - Boarding application fee (one-time, non-refundable): EUR 100. - Boarding deposit (refundable): EUR 2,000 (one-time). - Single-room supplement (annual, if applicable): EUR 5,800. Other costs and typical extras - Book deposit (refundable): EUR 300. - BBIS PE clothing (from Grade 6): approximately EUR 30 to EUR 100. - Pocket calculator (from Grade 9): approximately EUR 150. - Extra-curricular activities: approximately EUR 250–360 per student/activity/season. - Annual school trip: approximately EUR 500–2,000. - Annual bus fees (external service provider): from EUR 2,065.10. - Canteen (external service provider): from EUR 6.20 to EUR 7.20 per pre-ordered school lunch. - IBO examination fees: charged separately by the International Baccalaureate Organisation and are not included in the Grade 12 tuition amount. Billing schedule and payment terms - School tuition and boarding fees are normally invoiced in two instalments each academic year. The standard due dates are: 60% due on 1 August and the remaining 40% due on 1 January. For families whose contracts were issued before 20 January 2026, the school's existing instalment dates (1 September and 1 January) continue to apply. The school registration fee and deposits are due upon receipt of the signed contracts. Refunds and refundable deposits - Refundable items explicitly published: book deposit (EUR 300) and boarding deposit (EUR 2,000) are refundable as stated. The one-time application fee for admissions is credited upon conclusion of the school contract; the boarding application fee is non-refundable. Grade 12 tuition does not include IB examination fees, which are charged separately. No detailed general tuition withdrawal/refund schedule was published on the school fees and boarding-fees pages reviewed here. Fee payment options - The school's published fee and boarding pages list invoicing and instalment schedules and deposits but do not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer or card) on those pages. Payment instructions and accepted methods are typically provided on invoices and in contract documents. The publicly listed fee pages do not include specific payment-method details. Notes on interpretation and numeric presentation - Annual figures above are stated in Euros and are presented as published; instalment amounts shown are calculated from the published annual figures using the school's invoicing split (60% / 40%). The school publishes minimum and maximum annual amounts for several year groups reflecting its fee-adjustment programme; examples above show both ends of those ranges where provided.	Fee details Application fee - Admission Fee: EUR 800.00. Tuition fees by year group (annual, monthly and per-term equivalents) - Grades 1–6: Annual tuition EUR 12,300.00. Stated monthly equivalent: EUR 1,025.00/month. Equivalent per term (dividing the annual fee by three school terms): EUR 4,100.00 per term. - Grades 7–10: Annual tuition EUR 13,560.00. Stated monthly equivalent: EUR 1,130.00/month. Equivalent per term (dividing the annual fee by three school terms): EUR 4,520.00 per term. - Grades 11–12 (IBDP 1 and 2): Annual tuition EUR 18,240.00. Stated monthly equivalent: EUR 1,520.00/month. Equivalent per term (dividing the annual fee by three school terms): EUR 6,080.00 per term. - Note regarding Grades 1–6: The published fee framework shows that the school originally set a tuition of EUR 13,500.00 for 2025/2026 to be paid in twelve monthly installments (August to July) of EUR 1,125.00 each; because the State of Berlin reimburses part of the cooked-lunch cost, the current payable amount is presented as EUR 12,300.00/year (EUR 1,025.00/month). The monthly lunch-share amount cited is EUR 100.23/month (annual share EUR 1,202.70). Monthly lunch fees for higher grades are shown as EUR 100.00/month (EUR 1,200.00/year) and are included in the listed tuition. Billing schedule and payment terms - The published figures are presented with monthly equivalents and the school notes an example payment plan of twelve monthly installments (August to July) for the stated annual fee in the school-year example. The listed monthly amounts (EUR 1,025; EUR 1,130; EUR 1,520) indicate that tuition is expressed and managed on a monthly basis in the published schedule. Specific invoicing dates, due dates, accepted payment instruments, and penalty terms for late payment are not published in the materials consulted. Boarding fees - Boarding fees: not applicable. The school is operated as a day school (private, non-profit day school). No boarding or boarding fees are published. Other costs and fees - Annual Resource Fees: Grades 1–5 EUR 125.00/year; Grades 6–8 EUR 175.00/year; Grades 9–10 EUR 225.00/year. These resource fees are charged in addition to tuition. - Costs explicitly not included in tuition: fees for special needs support, excursions, field and class trips, after-school activities and clubs, and the school bus service are not included and are charged separately. - School apparel and sportswear: school apparel and sportswear can be ordered via the school's designated supplier. Prices for uniform/apparel are not published in the school fee statements and are payable separately. Sibling discounts and income-related fees - Sibling reductions are published with specific monthly figures (presented with the meal-cost portion covered by the Senate). Examples (monthly figures shown): - Grades 1–6: 1st child EUR 1,025; 2nd child EUR 769; 3rd child EUR 513; 4th child EUR 256. - Grades 7–10: 1st child EUR 1,130; 2nd child EUR 872; 3rd child EUR 615; 4th child EUR 357. - Grades 11–12: 1st child EUR 1,520; 2nd child EUR 1,165; 3rd child EUR 810; 4th child EUR 455. - Families may apply for income-related school fees; an application with evidence of family income is required. Refunds and withdrawal - Withdrawal procedure and notice: parents are required to give written notice when withdrawing a student; parents wishing to withdraw a child at the end of a school year are contractually required to inform the school in writing before the end of April. Specific refund, cancellation, prorating or reimbursement rules tied to mid-year withdrawal or to cancellation of enrolment are not published in the materials consulted. Fee payment options (payment instruments / methods) - The publicly available fee summary and parent handbooks consulted do not publish specific accepted payment instruments (for example: bank transfer/IBAN, SEPA direct debit, credit card, PayPal). Parents are instructed to follow contract and admissions arrangements for payment particulars; explicit payment-method details are not present in the publicly posted fee statements and handbooks examined. Summary of where fees apply and what is additional - Tuition covers instruction and (noted) lunch-share as described for the relevant grades. Resource fees are charged annually by grade band. Excursions, trips, special-needs provision, after-school activities, clubs and bus service are additional costs and billed separately. Sibling reductions and income-related fee arrangements are available and are applied as published. Admission requires payment of an Admission Fee of EUR 800.00. Note on missing details found during review - The public fee statements and parent handbooks provide clear annual and monthly tuition figures, resource fees, sibling reductions and a withdrawal notice requirement, but do not publish detailed invoicing timetables (exact invoice dates and term-by-term billing calendar beyond the stated monthly-equivalents), penalty/late-payment terms, detailed refund or cancellation rules, nor a list of accepted payment instruments. These payment-process and refund specifics are not present in the publicly posted fee material consulted.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details BBIS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum. The Primary School uses the IB Primary Years Programme (Early Education and Grades 1–5). The Secondary School offers the IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grade 11–12). BBIS also provides a BBIS High School Diploma as an alternative path alongside or in place of the full IB Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme includes six subject groups and a core consisting of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay. All teaching is in English, with German language exposure in Grades 1–10 and language acquisition in other years.	Curriculum details Berlin International School uses the International Baccalaureate framework across the school. Primary is authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), enhanced by the Berlin Rahmenlehrplan. The school promotes multilingualism with English and German language development, supported by a multilingual library and integrated Educational Technology. In Grades 6-10, students follow a bilingual Middle Years Programme based on the Berlin Rahmenlehrplan and the school's interpretation of the Middle Years Programme, with intentional vertical alignment with IB PYP and IB DP. In Grades 11-12, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning and global perspectives.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 1:7	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results IB DP results 2023–2025: BBIS average across all subjects was 4.9 (2023), 5.1 (2024), and 5.0 (2025); World averages were 4.7 (2023), 4.7 (2024), and 4.9 (2025).	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression BBIS provides a Career and College Counselling programme to support university applications in Germany, Europe, the United Kingdom and beyond. BBIS students are accepted at universities in Germany, across Europe and the UK, as well as North America and Asia.	Higher education progression Students are prepared for post-secondary education worldwide. They complete the German MSA exam at the end of Grade 10 and then pursue the IB Diploma in Grades 11-12, which is recognized by universities around the world.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented BBIS offers Academic Coaching for Everyone (ACE) offering tailored academic coaching and enrichment for Grade 11 and 12 students. Our ACE coaches collaborate closely with classroom teachers to understand each student’s needs and aspirations, offering personalised guidance that fosters growth, confidence, and independence. Through ACE, students receive support with: -Planning, structuring, and editing assessments -Developing academic writing skills -Understanding course content -Preparing for tests and exams -Creating effective study schedules -Maintaining concentration and motivation -Group workshops are held regularly to develop skills in academic writing, study strategies, exam preparation, and assessment planning. In addition, ACE provides a range of academic support materials to encourage independent learning.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Stay & Play at BBIS. For families considering Grade 1 entry, Stay & Play sessions offer a welcoming opportunity to experience BBIS first-hand before formal admissions. Children participate in a short, engaging classroom experience; parents meet members of our school leadership team and gain insight into daily life at BBIS and the transition into Grade 1. Stay & Play sessions are complimentary and places are limited. 2. Book a tour. BBIS is an inclusive international school. A guided private tour provides a first-hand opportunity to get to know BBIS, our students and our facilities. If a face-to-face tour isn't possible, you can explore BBIS by taking a virtual tour. 3. How to apply and start your application. BBIS uses an online application system for all enrolments, and families can start an application at any time by following the link. You can also apply for BBIS Boarding. The Admissions Team is here to help at every stage of the process. Applications are considered throughout the school year based on space availability. 4. What happens next and documentation. Families should submit all the required documentation. A 100 EUR application fee is due per submitted school application and is credited when the contract is signed. An additional 100 EUR boarding application fee applies for boarding. Completed applications are processed by the admissions team and applicants will be updated on their status via the online portal. Students may be tested and screened depending on age and language proficiency. 5. Acceptance, contracts and fees. If the application is successful, you'll receive a letter of acceptance, a school contract, a registration fee invoice and, if applicable, a boarding contract. To confirm your child's place, sign these contracts and pay the registration fee within three weeks of receipt. If the application is unsuccessful, you will be notified. The School Fee Reduction Programme is available for Grades 1–10; applications are processed separately from the admissions process and are handled by the Director's Office.	Admissions 1. Begin the admissions process by submitting the application form online. Include the filled in form with signatures by both parents (or proof of sole custody) and copies of recent report cards and the birth certificate. Email the package to the Admissions Officer, Ms. Melanie Sommer-Joest. Documents are then received by the Admissions Officer for processing. 2. The documents are assessed by the Admissions Officer. If additional information is required, applicants are contacted. The Admissions Officer reviews the submission to determine whether the application is complete. This step ensures all required materials are in order before moving forward. 3. If application form and documents are in order, the child is placed either directly on the list of applicants, or on a waiting list. This placement occurs after the documents are reviewed by the Admissions Officer. The next stage proceeds with testing or trial days as described in the admissions process. 4. Entrance tests are carried out for applicants for Grade 6 upwards; trial days are carried out for Grades 1-5 applicants, if they help with the admission decision. Tests assess readiness for Grade 6+, and trial days offer non-test assessment for younger applicants. These assessments inform the next step in the admissions process. 5. A place is offered. The offer represents an admission decision for the applicant. The family can then proceed to the acceptance step. 6. The place is accepted. Acceptance confirms the applicant's intent to enroll. After acceptance, the process continues toward formal enrollment. 7. A school contract is issued for signing. The contract sets out enrollment terms and conditions. Signing the contract formalizes the enrollment.
Scholarships	Scholarships School Fee Reduction Programme. BBIS offers a School Fee Reduction Programme for students in Grades 1–10; applications are processed separately from the admissions process and are handled by the Director's Office.	Scholarships Income Related School Fees: Families can apply for income-related school fees. An application form plus complete and reliable evidence of family income should be sent to the Management Office. For further information please contact gf@private-kant-schulen.de. Sibling Reductions: B.I.S. offers sibling reductions. The reductions are applied per child and vary by grade level: for Grades 1–6 the reductions are 1st child 1,025 EUR, 2nd child 769 EUR, 3rd child 513 EUR, 4th child 256 EUR; for Grades 7–10 the reductions are 1st child 1,130 EUR, 2nd child 872 EUR, 3rd child 615 EUR, 4th child 357 EUR. Corresponding additional agreements are issued by the Admissions Office when the contract is concluded.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist The school uses a waiting list. If a place is not immediately available, applicants may be placed on a waiting list. A place on the waiting list indicates ongoing consideration for enrollment, depending on availability.
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