Frankfurt International School vs ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main
Frankfurt International School and ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main are both in Frankfurt, about 14 km apart. Both schools offer IB and Bespoke programmes, and ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main also offers Cambridge IGCSE. Published annual fees are close, at €11,590 - 31,365 for Frankfurt International School and €14,850 - 24,410 for ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main. Both take pupils from 3 to 18.
Frankfurt International School operates on two campuses in Oberursel and Wiesbaden. The Oberursel Campus serves ages 3 through Grade 12 and is located about 23 kilometers from Frankfurt city center. The Wiesbaden Campus serves ages 3 through Grade 8 and is located about 40 kilometers from central Frankfurt. Both campuses follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) program framework and share common standards.
Location
ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main is located at Strasse zur Internationalen Schule 33, 65931, Frankfurt, Germany. It sits in the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main region and is easily accessible by train or car. The S-Bahn stops Sindlingen (S1) and Zeilsheim (S2) bring students within a five-minute walk of the campus. It is located near expatriate towns and villages in the Taunus hills.
Stages
Stages
Oberursel Campus provides Preschool (First Steps) to Grade 12, with Primary School (First Steps–Grade 1), Elementary School (Grades 2–5), and Upper School (Middle School 6–8 and High School 9–12). Wiesbaden Campus provides Preschool to Grade 8.
Stages
Kindergarten and Preschool; Primary School (Gr. 1-4); Middle School (Gr. 5-8); High School (Gr. 9-12).
School type
School type
Two IB World School campuses: Oberursel (Preschool - Grade 12) and Wiesbaden (Preschool - Grade 8). Both campuses offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Upper School offers the IB Diploma.
School type
Private day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
60 nationalities represented; approximately 1,800 students from age 3 to Grade 12.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Learning support includes teacher-led study groups, peer tutoring, Power Study Sessions, and on-demand tutoring videos; Advisory Classes; Student Counseling; Health & Wellness services.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Germany
Country affiliation
Germany; German curriculum equivalent to the state of Hesse.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
Day structure varies by campus and grade level. Oberursel Primary arrival at 8:20, classes begin at 8:40, and dismissal at 14:50 (First Steps half-day 12:00). Oberursel Elementary arrival 8:05–8:25, classes begin 8:30, dismissal 15:05, bus departure 15:17. Oberursel Upper School arrival 8:15–8:20, classes begin 8:32, dismissal 15:10, bus departure 15:17. Wiesbaden Campus arrival 8:15–8:30, classes begin 8:35, dismissal 15:10 (First Steps half-day 12:00), bus departure 15:20.
School day structure
Full-day program; optional after-school care for Kindergarten to Grade 4.
Bus service details
Bus service details
FIS has the largest private school bus system in Germany, with over 50 bus routes on the Oberursel and Wiesbaden campuses. Buses serve 90 localities in the Frankfurt area with 240 bus stops for student pick-up and drop-off.
Bus service details
Door-to-door bus service via private taxi companies; S-Bahn stops Sindlingen (S1) and Zeilsheim (S2) bring students within a five-minute walk of the campus; details on SABIS Digital Platform or via Admissions.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & enrollment fees - New Student Registration Fee: EUR 1,500. This registration fee is not refundable and is not transferable to future school years. - Down Payment for new students: EUR 2,000. The down payment is credited toward tuition, is required within 10 days of the acceptance letter to guarantee placement, and is non-refundable after that period. Together the registration fee plus the down payment total EUR 3,500 at initial acceptance. - Re‑enrollment (returning student) Fee: EUR 350; this fee secures a returning student's placement and is not refundable.
Payment installments (standard personal payment plan example) - Standard two‑installment option (Alternative 1): 55% of tuition and transportation fees are due by 1 July; the remaining 45% is payable in January (a surcharge of EUR 100 per child applies to the January payment). Example splits (55% / 45%) for each annual tuition above are shown below as the amount due at each installment: - First Steps (half‑day) — Annual EUR 11,590: EUR 6,374.50 due 1 July; EUR 5,215.50 due in January. - First Steps, Pre‑Primary — Annual EUR 22,570: EUR 12,413.50 / EUR 10,156.50. - Primary — Annual EUR 24,760: EUR 13,618.00 / EUR 11,142.00. - Grades 1–4 — Annual EUR 25,260: EUR 13,893.00 / EUR 11,367.00. - Grade 5 — Annual EUR 25,500: EUR 14,025.00 / EUR 11,475.00. - Grades 6–8 — Annual EUR 29,110: EUR 16,010.50 / EUR 13,099.50. - Grades 9–10 — Annual EUR 30,105: EUR 16,557.75 / EUR 13,547.25. - Grades 11–12 — Annual EUR 30,690: EUR 16,879.50 / EUR 13,810.50. - Alternative monthly payment schedule (Alternative 2): a monthly plan is available with a 3.0% surcharge on the outstanding balance; all fees must be paid latest on 1 June of the relevant school year when this option is used. - Note: For students who start in August, all tuition and fees are normally required to be paid in advance. For students who start during the school year, invoices set the due dates and payment is expected within the communicated invoice terms. Late accounts are charged interest/late fees as specified in the school's payment terms.
Capital Assessment Fee (new students) - Annual Capital Assessment Fee payable in Year 1 and Year 2 for new students (Pre‑Primary and up): EUR 6,450 per year. This fee is assigned to a capital fund and is not refundable (departing students who have attended 65 days or less in the year pay only half the capital fee in that year).
Transportation (bus) fees - Bus fees are charged by distance zone and include 7% VAT. Example Oberursel campus zone prices (annual): - Zone A: EUR 2,165.00. - Zone B: EUR 2,440.00. - Zone C: EUR 2,565.00. - Zone D: EUR 2,705.00. - Zone E: EUR 2,860.00. - Zone F: EUR 3,125.00. - Zone G: EUR 3,220.00. - Zone H: EUR 3,350.00. - Wiesbaden campus zones have separate annual rates (Zone A EUR 2,595 up to Zone G EUR 3,600 as listed). A 25% reduction is offered for the third child onward when applied for by the specified deadline. Flexible single‑ride tickets (where available) may be purchased at EUR 10 per ride.
Language, learning support and other program fees - First Language (FL) and Identity Language (IL) course fees (annual): Elementary: EUR 1,260; Grades 6–10: EUR 1,715; Grades 11–12: EUR 2,450. - Additional costs that may be invoiced during the year include external examination/IB fees, grade‑level trip fees (note: many grade‑level trips for Grades 5–11 are included in tuition as part of the program), specialist therapy or additional learning support beyond normal provision, yearbook, lost/damaged library/text books, school meals/snacks, after‑school care, tutoring, and required student devices (students in Grade 5 and above are required to have a personal laptop). These items are billed separately as applicable.
Refunds, proration and leave of absence - Tuition and transportation fees are prorated for late entry or early departure based on the official acceptance or leaving date. The school's proration schedule lists the refundable percentage for students who leave early and the payable percentage for students who enroll late across defined periods of the school year. Example proration (departure refunds): July–Aug 15 = 90% refundable; Aug 15–Sep = 65% refundable; Oct–Dec = 35% refundable; Jan = 25% refundable; Feb–Mar = 0%; Apr–Jun = 0%. For late entrants the payable percentages vary by period (100% at the start of the year, decreasing later). A leave of absence may be reserved by paying 50% of the respective tuition fee for the absence period to guarantee re‑admission. Registration and down payment and the capital assessment fee are explicitly not refundable under the described conditions.
Boarding - Boarding is not applicable: the school operates as a day school (no boarding fee applies).
Uniform, campus shop and incidental purchases - There is no formal uniform fee listed; a campus shop and bookstores on campus sell school spirit wear (hoodies, T‑shirts, bags, hats) and school supplies; these purchases are optional and billed at the point of sale.
Refunds & non‑refundable items recap - Non‑refundable items include the New Student Registration Fee, the Down Payment (after the 10‑day acceptance window), and the Capital Assessment Fee (with the limited exception for very short attendance as described). Refundable tuition amounts depend on the proration schedule tied to official leaving dates.
Payment methods and billing terms - The school accepts Euro bank transfers to its specified IBAN/SWIFT accounts for payments; detailed bank account identifiers (IBANs and SWIFT/BIC codes) are provided with invoices. A late payment charge is applied to past‑due accounts (the published late payment percentage applies after the due date). Two alternative payment schedules are offered for private payers: (1) the 55%/45% split with the 45% payment in January (EUR 100 surcharge per child) and (2) a monthly plan with a 3.0% surcharge on the outstanding balance; all fees must be paid by the final internal deadline under the chosen plan. The school's business/accounting office telephone number is published for billing arrangements.
Other fee programs - A Tuition Reduction Program (means‑tested reduction) and specific Partnership/Diplomatic Mission fee schedules exist for eligible families; those programs and any partnership pricing are applied under separate published terms. Additional employer‑paid or reimbursed arrangements are treated according to tax rules described by the school.
Fee details
Application and enrollment fees - Enrolment Fee (new students): € 600.00 per student, billed with the tuition invoice for the new academic year. - Re‑Enrolment Fee (returning students): € 200.00 per student, billed with the tuition invoice for the new academic year. - Late Enrolment Fee: € 900.00 for students starting in Terms 2 or 3.
School place reservation fee - A School Place Reservation Fee is payable to the school's mother company (ISF GmbH & Co. KG). The Fee is € 2,000 per child per year for each of the first three years a child attends ISF (total possible payment over three years € 6,000). The first € 2,000 is payable on registration; the second and third € 2,000 are due on June 15 of the year before the respective second and third school years. The first-year reservation payment is non-refundable and not prorated.
Tuition fees (annual and per-term) - Tuition is charged by grade group and shown below as annual fee and as one-third (per instalment) when paid in three instalments: - Kindergarten & Preschool: € 14,850 per year — € 4,950 per instalment. - Grade 1–3: € 18,255 per year — € 6,085 per instalment. - Grades 4–6: € 19,395 per year — € 6,465 per instalment. - Grades 7–9: € 21,165 per year — € 7,055 per instalment. - Grades 10–11: € 22,860 per year — € 7,620 per instalment. - Grade 12: € 24,000 per year — € 8,000 per instalment. - Grade 13 (where applicable): € 24,210 per year — € 8,070 per instalment.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition may be paid in one annual instalment (due in June) or in three instalments. When paid in three instalments the due dates are: one-third of the annual tuition plus the full Enrolment/Re‑enrolment Fee due by June 15; the second instalment due by September 15; the third instalment due by December 15. Tuition invoices are issued in May. Tuition invoices issued after December 1 are payable in full within two weeks of the invoice date. Ensure bank transfer charges are included with payments.
Discounts and reductions - Family discounts (when children are enrolled at the same time): € 900 tuition discount for the second child; € 1,650 for the third child; € 2,400 for each additional child. - Direct debit (SEPA) discount: € 150 total (€ 50 per instalment) is granted when tuition instalments are paid by SEPA direct debit on the due dates (or the first working day thereafter). The original SEPA mandate must be received at least 14 days before the first due date. This discount is not combined with the early-payment discount. - Early-payment discount: € 300 is granted for full annual payment by the June due date (or within two weeks of invoice for new families enrolling between June 15 and Week 5 of Term 1).
Other costs and what is included - Books: one set of books is provided per student per school year (may be digital, physical, or a mix) and are included in the tuition. - Extra charges billed in addition to tuition: summer school fees, external examination fees, some after‑school activities, extra‑curricular trips, replacement of lost materials, and dress‑code/uniform items. Hot lunch and transportation are provided by outside firms and are billed separately.
Refunds and cancellation - Cancellation: if a (Re‑)Enrolment application is withdrawn after July 15, a cancellation fee of € 1,800 in addition to the Enrolment/Re‑enrolment Fee will be charged. If withdrawn before July 15, the Enrolment/Re‑enrolment Fee is charged and retained. - Leaving during the school year: at least one month's written notice before the beginning of the next term is required for withdrawal. Tuition paid in advance for unattended whole academic term(s) will be refunded; discounts already granted will be deducted from the refund. There is no refund for dis‑enrolment due to disciplinary measures or for instructional days lost for reasons beyond the school's control. A student who attends 5 weeks or more of a term is charged for the full term; attendance during the last 4 weeks or first 4 weeks of a term can trigger half‑term charges per the stated rules.
Overdue payments and surcharges - If the school must send reminders for overdue tuition payments, an administration surcharge of € 50.00 per reminder will be charged.
Boarding - ISF requires enrolled students to live with and be under the care of a parent or legal guardian for the entire period of enrolment; there is no boarding provision and therefore no boarding fees.
Fee payment options and bank details - Accepted payment methods for tuition: SEPA direct debit (direct debit mandate valid for tuition payment) and bank transfer; tuition can also be invoiced to a company where company details are provided. SEPA direct debit requires a completed mandate submitted with the Enrolment Contract. Parents should include the Student ID number on all bank transfers. (No credit-card payment method is listed in the school's enrolment/payment documentation.) - Bank transfer details (payable to ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein‑Main Verwaltungs‑GmbH): IBAN DE95 5007 0010 0093 4893 00; SWIFT/BIC DEUTDEFFXXX; Bank: Deutsche Bank, Rossmarkt 18, 60311 Frankfurt. Please ensure payments include all bank transfer charges and include the Student ID number on transfers.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Frankfurt International School is an IB World School serving students from First Steps (age 3) through Grade 12. The Primary and Elementary School follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) with Units of Inquiry. The Middle School (Grades 6–8) bridges PYP to the Diploma Programme, building the skills for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in the upper years. The High School delivers the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), a two-year curriculum that leads to external examinations in May. The school operates on two campuses, Oberursel and Wiesbaden, delivering a consistent IB framework across the campuses. The programme emphasizes inquiry-based learning and a global-focused education.
Curriculum details
ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main offers a traditional core college preparatory SABIS curriculum with non-sectarian, English-language instruction. A third language is studied starting in Grade 6. For graduation, the school offers the ISF High School Diploma, IGCSE (end of Grade 10 or Grade 11), IB Diploma Programme (IB World School since August 2007), Advanced Placement (AP Capstone Diploma or individual AP exams), and A-Level (end of Grade 13; offered until the 2008-2009 school year).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Oberursel campus average student-teacher ratio is 8:1. The Wiesbaden campus ratio is 7:1. The Elementary School at the Oberursel campus has a 9:1 student-teacher ratio.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
Results of student performance are published each year. The IB Diploma Programme culminates in external examinations taken in May.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Upper School students receive college counseling to pursue higher education. Graduates gain admission to universities worldwide with counselor support. Graduates enroll at universities across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Higher education progression
ISF provides a University & Careers Office to assist with university placement. Graduates have been admitted to universities worldwide, including institutions in Australia (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; University of Melbourne), Canada (University of British Columbia; McGill University; University of Ottawa; University of Toronto; University of Waterloo), Germany (RWTH Aachen; TH Aschaffenburg; University of Bayreuth; Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; TU Darmstadt; Goethe University Frankfurt; Frankfurt School of Finance & Management; University of Mannheim; Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), the United Kingdom (University of Cambridge; University of Oxford), and the United States among others.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Gifted students who volunteer or are selected by teachers are trained to become Shadow Teachers®. Shadow Teachers exist in each subject and grade level, learn material a week ahead of their classmates, and may lead the class under teacher's supervision.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Applications should be submitted soon after January 1, prior to the beginning of a new school year. An earlier application, together with a strong educational background, increases the chances of accommodating your family's needs. Some applicants may wait a year or longer to gain admission. Review General Student Application Information to understand the priority system and waiting lists, and how admission decisions are timed.
2. To apply for admission, complete the online application. When completing the online admission process, upload the following documents: copy of student passport or birth certificate; completed FIS Student Medical Record with immunization history; school transcripts for the past two years (in English); one passport-sized photograph of the student; Student Recommendation Form for Grade 1–12; standardized testing results if available; psycho-educational report if applicable.
3. Age requirements guide eligibility: First Steps must be three years old before 1 September; Pre-Primary must be four before 1 September; Primary must be five before 1 September; Grade 1 must have turned six before 1 September. English Language Acquisition (ELA) support is available for non-native speakers; the school accepts beginning English speakers through Grade 8, and Grade 9 requires an intermediate level with an ELA placement test to assess suitability.
4. Learning support is limited; learning support eligibility is assessed through an early application with a recent psycho-educational evaluation and related documents, and any medical/testing needs should be noted on the application. German passport holders may need an Ausnahmegenehmigung (special permit) to enroll, with related information and forms available for download or request from the admissions office.
5. Decision timing and the waiting process: a decision cannot be made until all required records and documents are submitted. Most applicants receive admission decisions in April through June, and the school will not have final vacancy numbers until near the end of the current school year. Completed applications received during the school year generally receive a decision within one week.
6. Transfers and partnerships: current FIS/FISW students can transfer between campuses, which may occur at the end of the school year and require submission before 1 April for consideration for the following school year. The Corporate Partnership Program exists with designated spaces for families from partner organizations, and inquiries can be directed to the Head of School.
7. Contact and next steps: the Admissions Office provides ongoing guidance through Alec Aspinwall (Director of Admissions and Advancement) and Patricia Dange (Admissions Assistant).
Admissions
To initiate admissions, ISF must receive the completed enrollment documents. There is no application deadline; admissions should be initiated in late winter or early spring for the next school year. Applications are accepted throughout the school year until the beginning of May, subject to the availability of spaces. Applicants must provide current school records including transcripts, any test or exam results from the previous two years, and any psychological/neurological evaluations, and submit these forms to the registrar at the start of the admissions process. A final admissions decision cannot be made without this information. Admissions Checklist: contact for more information; schedule a school visit and tour; complete and return enrollment contract, Student Medical Form, copy of birth certificate or passport, and copy of school reports from the previous two years (if applicable); schedule placement tests (before or after enrollment); schedule a day visit (optional). Up to Grade 7 (and Grade 8 at the beginning of the school year) no knowledge of English is required for admission. For all grades no knowledge of German is required.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Tuition Reduction Program (TRP) offers partial or full tuition reductions to ensure international and social diversity and to make FIS accessible to students who would otherwise be unable to attend due to limited family income. Applications must be reviewed before the school year begins; they require detailed financial information and a copy of the parents' tax return. Eligibility includes meeting admission criteria, having a demonstrated need for an international education, and at least one parent employed in the Frankfurt Rhine‑Main area; a maximum of two students per family may receive a reduction; reductions are granted for one year and are reviewed annually. Levels of support are based on the family's gross annual income. The TRP selection is conducted by a committee, and decisions are communicated within a defined timetable (applications must be received by 1 May for the current year; decisions are made by mid‑June). Separate TRP applications are required for each student; confidentiality is maintained. Need-based scholarships through the TRP are designed to enable students to remain at FIS and to admit new students who could not otherwise afford the education.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
A waiting list is used due to high demand. A student's position on the waiting list can change if higher-priority applications are received, and there is no guarantee of a space opening during the school year. Applicants can express interest to be considered for the following school year if acceptance in the current year is not offered.
