International School of Hamburg vs WABE International School

	I International School of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany	W WABE International School Hamburg, Germany
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €12,790 - 25,190	Fees / year €8,040 - 18,216
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 240
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened 1957	Opened 2016
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Hemmingstedter Weg 130, 22609 Hamburg, Germany	Location Eggerstedter Weg 19, 25421 Pinneberg. The school is in the Hamburg metropolitan region, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Stages	Stages Early Years (ECC, ages 3–5) ; Junior School (Grades 1–5) ; Secondary School (Grades 6–12; IB Middle Years Programme 6–10; IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme 16–18)	Stages Grades 1–12; International Baccalaureate World School (IB Diploma Programme). The main language of instruction is English, with a German program to support native-level learning.
School type	School type Private international school; independent, non-profit association	School type State-approved substitute school (Ersatzschule) in Schleswig-Holstein; IB World School.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 63 nationalities represented; top nationalities include United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, India and South Korea; Germany is the host country.	Pupil nationality mix The school has 240 students representing 47 nationalities. The student body includes international and German families from the Hamburg metropolitan region.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) support	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Germany	Country affiliation Germany
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure The school offers English-language curricula for students from age 3 to 18. The majority of co-curricular activities run from 15:00 to 16:30, with After School Care available until 18:00.	School day structure School hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00–17:00.
Bus service details	Bus service details Three school buses run by HVV serve the outer Alster region and Hafen City; buses stop at regular stops and are available to students in Grades 1–12. Cost and route information differ each year. Hamburg resident students travel free across the HVV regional network (as of 1 Sep 2024).	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - Application Fee per child: EUR 500. The Application Fee is due at registration and is non-refundable. Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Early Years 1: EUR 12,790. - Early Years 2: EUR 13,790. - Early Years 3: EUR 15,680. - Grades 1–2: EUR 20,050. - Grades 3–5: EUR 21,240. - Grades 6–8: EUR 22,760. - Grades 9–10: EUR 24,230. - Grades 11–12: EUR 25,190. Per-term / instalment detail and two-instalment option - Standard payment: the full annual Tuition Fee is payable in advance, at the latest by 1 August (for students who start in August). - Two-instalment option (surcharge applies): it is possible to pay in two instalments for which there is a surcharge equal to 5% of the annual Tuition Fee (i.e., total payable becomes 105% of the Tuition Fee). First instalment: 60% of the Tuition Fee (plus any Campus Development Fee levied that year) due by 1 August. Second instalment: 45% of the Tuition Fee due by 1 January. The surcharge of 5% applies to the overall two-instalment option. - Instalment component examples (showing 60% and 45% components and the 5% surcharge amount). First instalment = 60% of the annual Tuition Fee (plus Campus Development Fee if applicable); second instalment = 45% of the annual Tuition Fee. The separate 5% surcharge amount is shown as an additional charge on top of these instalments. - Early Years 1 (EUR 12,790): 60% = EUR 7,674.00; 45% = EUR 5,755.50; 5% surcharge = EUR 639.50 (total if using two-instalment option = EUR 13,429.50). - Early Years 2 (EUR 13,790): 60% = EUR 8,274.00; 45% = EUR 6,205.50; 5% surcharge = EUR 689.50 (total = EUR 14,479.50). - Early Years 3 (EUR 15,680): 60% = EUR 9,408.00; 45% = EUR 7,056.00; 5% surcharge = EUR 784.00 (total = EUR 16,464.00). - Grades 1–2 (EUR 20,050): 60% = EUR 12,030.00; 45% = EUR 9,022.50; 5% surcharge = EUR 1,002.50 (total = EUR 21,052.50). - Grades 3–5 (EUR 21,240): 60% = EUR 12,744.00; 45% = EUR 9,558.00; 5% surcharge = EUR 1,062.00 (total = EUR 22,302.00). - Grades 6–8 (EUR 22,760): 60% = EUR 13,656.00; 45% = EUR 10,242.00; 5% surcharge = EUR 1,138.00 (total = EUR 23,898.00). - Grades 9–10 (EUR 24,230): 60% = EUR 14,538.00; 45% = EUR 10,903.50; 5% surcharge = EUR 1,211.50 (total = EUR 25,441.50). - Grades 11–12 (EUR 25,190): 60% = EUR 15,114.00; 45% = EUR 11,335.50; 5% surcharge = EUR 1,259.50 (total = EUR 26,449.50). Campus Development Fee - Campus Development Fee (non-refundable and payable over two years when applicable): Year 1 at ISH = EUR 6,500; Year 2 at ISH = EUR 2,500. For students returning after an absence of one year or longer, prior payments are credited to this total. Departing students who have attended the school for two months or less in the year of their departure pay only half the Campus Development Fee levied in that school year. Sibling discount - For families with three or more children enrolled simultaneously: third child (lowest grade) receives a 10% reduction of the annual Tuition Fee; fourth child and any additional children receive a 15% reduction of the annual Tuition Fee. Other costs and ancillary fees - The annual Tuition Fee includes mandatory overnight and day trips, membership in the ISH Association, and one copy of the yearbook per child. School materials for Early Years are included; with the exception of Early Years, school materials such as paper and pencils are not included in the annual Tuition Fee. - Additional charges that may be invoiced separately to participating students: college testing, external testing and IB examinations, non-mandatory school day and sport trips, graduation expenses, After School Activities, After School Care, intramural and NECIS sports. - Lost school books: invoiced at replacement value plus a handling fee of EUR 10 per book not returned. - School bus fee: determined according to the number of students using the bus and invoiced separately. - Fees for self-taught and mother-tongue language courses, school photos, and hot lunches are invoiced and paid directly to the service provider. Billing schedule and payment terms - Due dates: all tuition and fees for students starting in August are payable in advance, at the latest by 1 August. For students who start during the school year, payment is due at the school start or within two weeks after the invoice date. Past-due accounts incur a late fee of 5% per annum above the base rate of interest. All parents are liable for fee payments on the due date regardless of third‑party (company) agreements, and parents are liable for all bank charges incurred. - Two-instalment option: available only for families with a signed contract by 1 December; first instalment (60% of Tuition Fee plus Campus Development Fee, if applicable) due by 1 August; second instalment (45% of Tuition Fee) due by 1 January. For contracts signed after the school year start and before 1 December, the first instalment (60% plus Campus Development Fee if applicable) is due within two weeks of the invoice date and the second instalment by 1 January. A surcharge of 5% of the annual Tuition Fee applies to this two-instalment option. Pro-rating and refunds (tuition refund rules) - Pro-rating on late enrolment (percentage of Tuition Fee chargeable when a student joins after the school year start): - September: 100% - October: 95% - November: 85% - December: 75% - January: 65% - February: 55% - March: 45% - April: 35% - May: 25% - June: 15% - Refundable percentage on early departure (percentage of Tuition Fee refundable when a student leaves during the school year; written notification of withdrawal must be given by the legal guardian at least two full months to the end of the month to qualify): - September: 70% - October: 60% - November: 50% - December: 40% - January: 30% - February and later months: 0% refund. - General refund rule: fees are non-refundable with the exception of the Tuition Fee in the case of early departure, which is refundable according to the pro‑rata schedule above. The Application Fee and Campus Development Fee are non-refundable except as specifically set out for returning students or short-term attendance in the Campus Development Fee clause. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees. Fee payment options and bank details - Payments are accepted by bank transfer in EUR to the account details provided for the school. The school provides two bank accounts for EUR transfers; bank transfer payments should include the child's name and invoice/account numbers in the payment reference. Parents are liable for any bank charges. The bank details are: - Hamburger Volksbank eG — Kontonummer: 3289109 — IBAN: DE79 2019 0003 0003 2891 09 — BIC: GENODEF1HH2. - Deutsche Kreditbank AG — Kontonummer: 1020262572 — IBAN: DE20 1203 0000 1020 2425 72 — BIC: BYLADEM1001. Legal and additional notes on non-payment - ISH reserves the right to dismiss or request the withdrawal of a student if school fees are not paid in accordance with ISH financial regulations. The place of jurisdiction for disputes is Hamburg, Germany.	Fee details Application / Entrance Fees - Grades 1–10: Registration fee EUR 200 per student; due together with the first month's school fee and non-refundable. - Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma applicants): Application fee EUR 750; due on submission and non-refundable. Tuition / Programme Fees (by year group) — monthly, yearly, and per term (half-year = yearly ÷ 2) - Grades 1–10 (Company or Government sponsored): - Monthly: EUR 1,261. Yearly: EUR 15,132. Per term (half-year, calculated): EUR 7,566. - Grades 1–10 (Private families — split Morning/Afternoon structure): - Morning Programme: Monthly EUR 210; Yearly EUR 2,520; Per term (calculated) EUR 1,260. - Afternoon Programme: Monthly EUR 485; Yearly EUR 5,820; Per term (calculated) EUR 2,910. - Combined Morning + Afternoon: Monthly EUR 695; Yearly EUR 8,340; Per term (calculated) EUR 4,170. - Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma Programme): - New students: Monthly EUR 1,622; Yearly EUR 19,464; Per term (calculated) EUR 9,732. - Optional Pamoja course fee: EUR 1,700 (listed as an additional optional course fee). Material and Other Mandatory Charges - Material fee (paid in full at enrolment; non-refundable): - Grades 1–10: EUR 192 per year. - Grades 11–12: EUR 562 per year. - Shuttle service (limited places; separate shuttle contract required): Monthly EUR 350; Yearly EUR 4,200; Per term (calculated) EUR 2,100. - Miscellaneous costs: Field trips, overnight trips, special programmes or events and damages to school property are invoiced separately to participating students; daily hot lunch is included in the Afternoon Programme for Grades 1–10 and in IB tuition. - Parent Association (Förderverein): The school encourages membership/donations to the Förderverein; the Förderverein operates a separate contribution structure for supporters (membership contributions / donation options). Sibling Discounts - No discounts are offered on the programme fees for siblings. (Sibling discounts exist in the Parent Association separately.) Billing Schedule, Contracts, and Payment Terms - Contracts run on a 12-month basis (01.08 – 31.07). Families remain contractually responsible for payment through the full contract period, including the summer months. - Cancellation: Contracts may be cancelled with two months' notice in advance of the school half-year dates of 31 January or 31 July. Families who miss the termination deadline for one date are obligated to pay all fees until the next possible termination date; no refunds or discounts are provided for leaving between these two possible termination dates. The school may consider alternate termination dates with sufficient notice. - The school reserves the right to terminate enrolment for students whose fees are two or more months in arrears. Payment Methods and Account Details - Primary payment method: all bank transfers in euros (EUR) via automatic SEPA mandate for families who opt for monthly payments. Notification to change bank details must be received by the 10th of the month. A one-time annual payment may be possible; a nominal discount may be discussed with the school. - Bank account details (for transfers as published): Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB) Schwerin; IBAN: DE35 1203 0000 1020 3759 68; BIC: BYLADEM1001. Refunds and Non-Refundable Items - The registration/application fees are non-refundable. Material fees are non-refundable once paid and are due at the start of enrolment. Termination outside the two-month cancellation windows will not automatically result in refunds; fees are payable until the next permissible termination date unless an alternative termination date is agreed. Boarding - The school operates as a day school; boarding facilities are not provided. (Boarding classification: day.) Other Notes on Costs Charged During the Year - Additional programme-specific or activity-specific charges (e.g., overnight trips, special project costs, replacement charges for damaged technology/resources) will be invoiced separately to participating families. Participation in optional courses or third-party services (for example Pamoja) may carry separate fees. (For the fee figures and contract/payment terms above, see the school's published Programme Fees document and associated Parent Association materials.)
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 The school provides a continuous international curriculum from Early Years to Grade 12. The Early Years follows the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), with Early Years 3 introducing Foundations phonics, Reader's and Writer's Workshop, and Math in Focus. The Junior School (Grades 1–5) uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with cross-curricular IPC units in Science, History, Geography, Art, Technology and International Understanding; there are specialist teachers in Music, German, Physical Education, Library Skills and ICT, and a Wellness program including Mindfulness and digital citizenship. The Secondary School (Grades 6–12) follows the International Baccalaureate framework: the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) for Grades 11–12; French or Spanish begins as a third language in Grade 6, and a strong pastoral care program supports students through tutor groups. Language support is provided through Mother Tongue and English as an Additional Language (EAL) provisions to help students access the curriculum.	Curriculum details WABE International School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and a German language track aligned with Schleswig-Holstein's state curriculum. The main language of instruction is English, with German taught in parallel and support for native and non-native speakers. The pedagogy follows Progressive Education, implemented through Project-Based and Social-Emotional Learning, with interdisciplinary courses and student agency in creating their own projects. Primary School integrates English and German literacy, includes play across curricula, and native German instruction is delivered by native speakers following the state curriculum. In Middle School learning is interdisciplinary with depth over breadth, linking subjects (e.g., algebra in Geography; literature in art). The IB Diploma Programme prepares graduates for university study worldwide and is recognized by universities globally; some US universities offer advanced credit for IB courses; native German instruction remains available for native speakers, and German IB exam results have been high with graduates enrolling at German universities.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 6.5:1	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes.
Exam results	Exam results ISH IB Diploma Programme results 2024 show an average DP score of 32.1 out of 45, with an average DP class grade of 5.08 out of 7 and an average grade across all subjects of 5.09 out of 7. 55% of DP students scored more than 30 points. 100% of CP Diploma recipients were awarded the CP Diploma. 85% of ISH graduates matriculated at colleges and universities worldwide.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression 85% of ISH graduates matriculate at colleges and universities worldwide. Destinations span Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, including universities such as the University of Antwerp, KU Leuven, McGill University, University of Toronto, Hamburg School of Business Administration, TU München, and the University of Edinburgh.	Higher education progression IB Diploma graduates are prepared for higher education worldwide; the diploma is recognized by universities globally.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	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 ISH has an ongoing admissions process with mid‑year entry possible. An inquiry submitted via the online form starts the process to arrange a campus visit or a call and is not a formal application for admission. An online application follows the inquiry. Admissions Officers are Margaret Metzler and Karolin Mutzel.	Admissions 1. Submit the online Application Form to begin the admissions process. In addition to the form, provide grade‑specific materials: Grades 1–2 require a completed Student Questionnaire and a copy of a valid passport or birth certificate; Grade 2 requires school transcripts or records for the previous year. Grades 3–5 require a Student Questionnaire, a Teacher Reference Letter, transcripts for the previous two school years, and a copy of a passport or birth certificate. Grades 6–10 require a Student Questionnaire, a Teacher Reference Letter, transcripts for the previous two school years, a copy of a passport or birth certificate, and scheduling an admissions evaluation exam. Grades 11–12 require reading the IB Admissions Policy document, a Student Questionnaire, a Teacher Reference Letter, transcripts for the previous two school years, a copy of a passport or birth certificate, and scheduling an IB admissions entrance exam.
Scholarships	Scholarships ISH offers a Financial Aid (FinAid) program to help families cover tuition. Eligibility is based on income and assets; the top gross income threshold for a one‑child family is €150,000, with asset‑based adjustments increasing the tuition amount. Full tuition may be charged for higher income or asset levels, according to the 2024–2025 Schedule of Fees. Applications are considered after a formal admission offer is made; families request a financial aid form from finaid@ishamburg.org, review eligibility, and submit a single PDF application signed by both parents. School fee reductions are granted for one year and must be reapplied annually; approval is provisional until the previous year's tax return is submitted.	Scholarships IB scholarships are offered as tuition reductions or waivers under guidelines designed to promote access to the IB Diploma Programme. Applications should generally be submitted before the start of the school year for which the scholarship is requested. Eligibility requires that the applicant or their guardians cannot fully bear tuition based on income and assets, and the student has shown either above‑average academic performance in the last two years or notable extracurricular or leadership achievements. The application for the IB Scholarship may be submitted for students in the IB Diploma Programme year; locals and internationals may be eligible; there is no guaranteed entitlement. Applications and required documents include information on financial need, academic and extracurricular achievements, and personal motivation, and may be mailed to WABE International School gGmbH, IBDP‑Scholarship, Eggerstedter Weg 19, 25421 Pinneberg, or scanned and emailed to a designated address. Incomplete applications are not considered. The scholarship reduces or waives tuition fees, with the amount and duration determined individually based on financial circumstances and other factors, and documented in a scholarship contract. Typically the scholarship covers one school year, but may be extended in exceptional cases. A decision is made by a committee in writing; denial does not require justification; retroactive awards are generally excluded, except in cases where full documents were received after the initial submission. Children of staff may be eligible but do not receive preferential treatment. Scholarships are tax‑free where applicable and outlined in the scholarship contract.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist The number of available seats in each grade varies year to year. The maximum class size is 25 students. When a grade is full, applications are accepted to the waiting list. Availability changes from year to year, so families should plan accordingly.
	View full profile →	View full profile →