Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
BBIS is located in Kleinmachnow, southwest of Berlin. The campus spans 100 acres of forested land on the shore of the Machnower See and the Teltowkanal, in the Seeberg area. It is a short drive from Potsdam and just a few minutes from the residential areas of southwest Berlin and the Brandenburg suburbs. BBIS is accessible by car and public transport from Berlin and Potsdam.
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).
BBIS is an international day and boarding school.
75+ nationalities are represented at BBIS.
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.
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 (open 8am–4pm, Monday to Friday). A seat on a large bus costs from 2,065.10 Euros including VAT for the 2025/2026 school year.
BBIS Boarding is available for Grades 9–12. The first English-language boarding school in Germany houses about 70 boarding students from around the world. Boarding students live in two-person rooms with ensuite bathrooms, with single rooms occasionally available for Grade 12. Boarding tuition includes full board, biweekly cleaning and linen service, and boarding-house supervision; a communal kitchen is available on each floor for students to prepare meals and snacks.
All meals are included in the boarding tuition and take place in the boarding dining room, the school cafeteria, and in the community kitchens on each boarding floor. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided, and boarders may use the floor kitchens to prepare meals or snacks; kitchens are monitored and kept clean by students.
BBIS is run by BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School GmbH. A Supervisory Board (elected under by-laws) oversees the school, while the Director/CEO leads the organisation; the leadership team also includes a COO and other senior leaders. The BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School GmbH entity addresses the campus and contact 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 1–5 and language acquisition in other years.
1:7
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).
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.
BBIS has an Academic Centre for Excellence (ACE) offering tailored academic coaching and enrichment for Grade 11 and 12 students, including one‑on‑one coaching, group workshops, and supportive materials to develop study, writing, and exam skills.
By addressing barriers related to language, learning, health, behaviour, and social-emotional wellbeing, BBIS empowers all learners to thrive.
Learning Support services are available for students who may need extra support to realise their full potential.
Many students receive support to build English language proficiency; a team of highly qualified English language teachers are here to help.
School Counselling helps students and families navigate all aspects of school life. BBIS has on-site nurses as part of Health Services to support everyday and emergency health needs.
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.
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.
The JFK Berlin campus is at Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin, Germany. It is in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district in southwestern Berlin. The school operates as a German-American public school serving Entrance Class through Grade 12.
Elementary School (EC - 6th Grade) and High School (7-12), with Entrance Class included.
Public school; German-American bilingual education; day school.
Student Support Services include Counselors, Abitur Coordinators, Special Education Teachers, Pedagogical Assistants, Registrar and Learning Support.
Germany and the United States
The school day for Grades 1-2 starts at 8:00 and ends at 13:30. Arrival supervision runs from 07:30 to 07:55.
Walking or biking; BVG public transportation (bus, U-Bahn, S-Bahn). Nearest S-Bahn: Zehlendorf (Line S1); nearest bus stops: Schönower Park (Bus 285) and Schweizerhofpark (Buses 285 and X10). All Berlin students qualify for a free BVG monthly student ticket.
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin does not have boarding facilities. There are no on-site dormitories or housing options for students. The school operates as a day school for all students.
There is no formal school uniform. Students must be neatly dressed in clothing appropriate for an EC-Grade 12, multicultural, school environment. Clothing must not distract from a serious and respectful learning environment.
All students have the option to bring their own lunch and drink from home and eat in the school building or in the auditorium. Graefewirtschaft GmbH is the lunch caterer, and lunch costs €4.36 per portion with an online ordering portal; there are also cash payment options. Due to kitchen construction, lunch and snack options are initially limited and snacks are not available at the start of the year.
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin is a Berlin public school governed by Berlin's Educational Directorate and the School Conference. The John F. Kennedy School Trust Fund e.V. is a non-profit organization that supports the school, funded by the U.S. Embassy. The Educational Directorate ensures the binational and bicultural character of the school, with both American and German principals leading the school.
The John F. Kennedy School Berlin runs a K–12 bilingual German‑American program. The language program is bilingual, English and German, and all students participate in instruction in both languages. Elementary School (Entrance Class through Grade 2) is taught bilingually with daily integration of both languages; from Grade 3 to Grade 6, all subjects are taught in the first language of the teacher. In High School (Grades 7–12), English- and German-speaking students are taught together, with three homeroom classes per grade mainly in English and three mainly in German (excluding language classes). In Grades 7–10 the goal is 50% instruction in German and 50% in English, with students exposed to both languages by graduation. Spanish, French and Latin are offered as electives, and students can pursue either the German Abitur or a U.S. High School Diploma in Grades 11–12, with the program remaining college preparatory throughout.
German Abitur is the standard track for Grades 11–12, with examinations in spring and a final grade calculated from courses and exams; in 2025 the Abitur average was 1.92. The school also offers an American High School Diploma via a dual-credential option, with AP and other college-prep coursework. AP results for the Class of 2025 show 25 subjects tested, 89 students took AP exams, 232 total exams, 90% of exams earned a score of 3 or above, and 93% of test takers scored a 3 on at least one exam. SAT results for 2024–2025 show a mean of 652 for Reading & Writing, 608 for Mathematics, totaling 1,259. Approximately 90% of JFKS students ultimately attend a university.
Approximately 90% of JFKS students ultimately attend a university. The High School Program offers two credentials: the German Abitur and the U.S. High School Diploma; Abitur graduates can enter German universities and other international universities, while Diploma graduates can gain admission to U.S. universities and institutions worldwide. College & Career counseling supports university admissions, with criteria including high school record, class rank, test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, AP), essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and interviews.
The school has a School Counseling program across Elementary, Middle, and High School. The Elementary School Counselor provides counseling services for Entrance Class through Grade 6 and delivers a three-level guidance curriculum addressing academic and social-emotional counseling, conflict management, self-confidence, decision-making, stress management, crisis counseling, and transitions; the ES Counselor collaborates with the Special Needs Teacher to support accommodations. The Middle School Counselor serves grades 7-9, focusing on study skills and organization, communication and conflict management, goal setting, and stress management, and provides personal-social/emotional, academic, and career support; New Student Orientation is coordinated and Student Ambassadors are trained with support from colleagues. The High School Counselor provides counseling for grades 10-12, oversees course selection and scheduling for the High School Diploma Program and Abitur, coordinates college planning and applications and standardized testing, and serves as the NCAA/NAIA contact for prospective student-athletes, while addressing personal and career issues. The ES and MS counselors also work with families as part of the broader student support network.
The school is dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment for all students, including those with special learning needs. It provides accommodations and resources in keeping with the dual-language program and staff capacity. JFKS does not offer a full special education program, and in some cases the special needs of a student are met in a monolingual or smaller classroom setting; however, students with special needs do attend JFKS and are supported with a variety of strategies and resources. The school provides regular professional development for teachers in the areas of special learning needs, differentiation of instruction, and up-to-date support methods, and has secured additional funding to broaden its program. The Elementary School can help students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD, processing disorders, and milder forms of Asperger Syndrome/Autism Spectrum Disorder; the school can serve hearing- and sight-impaired or physically- or mentally-handicapped students if outside support is provided; the Student Support Team includes special education teachers, counselors, and school social workers; formal accommodation plans require a medical diagnosis and are decided by the class conference.
The school follows a bilingual language education concept in German and English in the Elementary School, with the goal of providing all students with competence-based, individualized, and continuous support in both languages. Ongoing language observation and diagnostics identify support needs; language-sensitive subject teaching actively promotes academic and everyday language; team teaching supports learning in heterogeneous groups; support for all language learners is provided, with close cooperation with parents. Language development from Entrance Class through Grade 6 combines immersive early-stage bilingual exposure with language support structures, including two Language teachers from Grade 3 onward, differentiated language groups, and a German Intensive Program for new students without German skills.
The school provides School Counseling across Elementary, Middle, and High School. The Elementary School Counselor addresses academic and social-emotional counseling, conflict management, improving self-confidence, decision-making, stress management, crisis counseling, and transitions, and collaborates with the Special Needs Teacher to support accommodations. The Middle School Counselor addresses study skills, organization, communication, conflict management, decision-making, goal setting, and stress management, and supports students individually on personal-social/emotional, academic, and career issues, coordinating New Student Orientation and Student Ambassadors. The High School Counselor oversees course selection and scheduling for the Diploma and Abitur, college planning and applications, standardized testing, and provides guidance on personal statements, career planning, and stress management.
The school has a Child Protection Plan (Kinderschutzkonzept) updated in September 2023. It designates a Child Protection Officer and external expert advise, provides an Intervention Plan, and establishes safeguarding procedures for suspected child welfare concerns; safeguarding is a collective responsibility involving all staff and the school community. Every adult has a role in upholding the plan and supervising its implementation, with ongoing monitoring and annual staff training on child protection and code-of-conduct requirements. Recruitment includes explicit reference to the child-protection policy and, for new employees, current extended police clearance certificates; a Binding Code of Conduct requires staff to commit to safeguarding guidelines, and there are explicit guidelines for social media and information handling. The plan is reviewed and revised annually with opportunities for parent training and involvement.
1. The John F. Kennedy School Berlin conducts selective admissions based on previous school records and, where necessary, testing; all admissions are probationary for one year in elementary school and one semester in high school. 2. Applications are accepted only during specified application periods; JFKS admits on a space-available basis at each grade level, with hundreds of applications each year and only a limited number admitted; no exceptions to deadlines. 3. Admissions are governed by the JFKS Act and by an Educational Directorate resolution; the German language version is legally-binding and the English translation is for convenience. 4. Entrance Class (EC/EK) requires that the child has German or U.S. citizenship (or both) and that at least one parent is a German or U.S. citizen; the child must speak the language corresponding to their citizenship as a first/dominant language to support a balanced American and German contingent. 5. If citizenship/language conditions are not met, admission may be possible only by decision of the Education Directorate, subject to place availability and not blocking German/U.S. applicants; historically these conditions have not been met due to high demand. 6. 7. Application processing: after submission, a confirmation email is sent within 4–6 weeks; applications are processed in the order they are received within the application periods; submission date does not affect priority. 8. Legal framework: the Admissions Regulations govern all processes; the German version is legally binding; the English translation is for convenience. 9. Lotteries: 95 spots in the Entrance Class are divided roughly 47/48 American and 48/47 German; priority admissions are allocated by first language and nationality; remaining spaces are filled by a lottery; lottery results are communicated by email. 10. Probationary year: the first year at JFKS is probationary; families must also register with their local Einzugsschule for Grade 1 to secure a seat if probation is not passed; German registration timelines differ. 11. For Grades 1–6, international/third-national applicants can be admitted only if no German or American applicants are on the waiting list; admission is highly constrained by space and demand.
The Dr. Alan Poland Memorial Music Scholarship exists at JFKS; Recipients perform in a dedicated recital; The Alumni Benefit Concert supports the alumni scholarship program for JFKS graduates, funding the alumni scholarship program.
International students may be admitted to grades 7–12 only if there are no German or American applicants on the waiting list; admission begins after review of complete applications, with confirmation typically within six to eight weeks; the actual admission process for Grades 7–12 starts in April/May; the school maintains a waiting list and space is limited, so international applicants are rarely admitted when German or American applicants are on the waiting list.
Located in the Lankwitz district in the south of Berlin. The address is not published on the site; inquiries should be sent via email. It serves students from the first grade of elementary school to the ninth grade of junior high school in a full-time program.
From the first grade of elementary school to the ninth grade of junior high school.
Full-time school.
Individualized learning support in small groups; focuses on fundamental skills, development, and problem-solving; supports exam readiness.
Japan-affiliated.
The school is governed and owned by Japanische Internationale Schule zu Berlin e. V., a registered association. It is registered at Amtsgericht Charlottenburg (VR 13436 B) and is based at Haynauer Str. 72a, 12249 Berlin. The managing director is Yasushi Ogura.
Full-time school located in Lankwitz, in the south of Berlin. From the first grade of elementary school to the ninth grade of junior high school, the school offers individualized lessons in small groups in a warm and friendly environment.
Small class sizes; individualized learning in small groups.
Graduates have progressed to a range of high schools in Japan, including Waseda University High School (affiliated junior high) and Showa Junior High School (affiliated with Showa Women's University), as well as Kanagawa Prefectural Sagamihara High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Musashi High School, Shizuoka Prefectural Shimizu East High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Mita High School, Keio High School, Keio Shonan Fujisawa High School, Tsukuba University Affiliated Komaba High School, Tokyo Metropolitan International High School, Doshisha International High School, Hosei University Second High School, Waseda University High School, Chuo University Suginami High School, and Satoei Gakuen Eito High School.
Developmental and problem-solving learning and entrance exam preparation.
The school provides a warm atmosphere in small class sizes, enabling each student to shine within the group. Inter-class group activities help older students treat younger children with respect, while younger pupils also learn from older peers. Individualized guidance for learners ensures a real sense of understanding, success and accomplishment by recognizing each child's individuality and academic ability. The program emphasizes development and problem-solving learning, with success in improving skills needed for entrance exams. The Berlin setting provides immersive experiences such as summer school, the Berlin Mini-Marathon, opera workshops, and visits to Berlin Philharmonic performances.
Enrollment process
1. Contact the school by email or telephone to inquire about admission. The school welcomes inquiries from prospective families and is happy to answer questions about your child. Please share basic information about your child and any questions you have.
2. If you are considering enrolling your child, inform the school even during the planning stage. This helps the school provide tailored information. The enrollment and transfer application forms are available; a Word version is also available (Enrollment and Transfer Application; Word version).
3. After you inquire, the school will email you to discuss the next steps and the enrollment process in more detail.
Fees
1. Enrollment fee: 690 euros per student at enrollment; from April 2026 this increases to 720 euros per student.
2. Facility fee: 690 euros per family at enrollment; from April 2026 this increases to 720 euros per family. Donations are welcome from corporations as well.
3. Tuition: 690 euros per month; from April 2026 this increases to 720 euros per month.
Trial enrollment
The school offers trial enrollment for those who wish to get to know the school. You can participate in lessons to see what the school has to offer. The school also accepts applicants from Japan and students currently enrolled at local or international schools. Trial enrollments are accepted year-round, in one-week blocks up to a maximum of four weeks per year. Tuition for a trial week is 172.50 euros (180 euros per week from April 2026).
Please contact the school for further information. The enrollment and transfer form for trial enrollment is available (Word version also available). The trial enrollment form should be submitted at least two weeks before the start of the trial.
Preparation and documents
A list of items to prepare for trial enrollment and admission is available. Documents required for admission include a current enrollment certificate, a copy of the student's transcript (abstract), and health/transfer documents. If enrolling as a new first-year student from April, please contact the school in advance. Other documents will be provided after the principal interview; please prepare three 4×3 cm photos for identification.
Enrollment-related forms
The enrollment/transfer application form and the Word version are provided for applicants. The trial enrollment application form and its Word version are also available for download.
