Comparing 4 schools side by side in USD.
Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61, Essen, Germany
Early Years; Primary Years; Secondary Years
Private international English-language day school
Over 30 nationalities represented.
Germany
Early Morning Care starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:15. After School Activities run until 17:00 every day.
School lunches are prepared by a company using fresh produce and regional ingredients wherever possible. Vegetarian alternatives are available daily.
The school is owned by SBW Haus des Lernens AG, a Swiss educational group. IS Ruhr is an IB World School with Primary Years Programme authorization and Diploma Programme authorization; the Middle Years Programme is a candidate.
IS Ruhr is an IB World School offering education from early years to the IB Diploma Programme. Primary Years follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11, with inquiry-based and transdisciplinary learning. Grades 6–8 follow an inquiry-based approach and IS Ruhr is a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Grades 9–10 follow the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Grades 11–12 pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). Mittlere Reife is recognised after grade 10 via IGCSE, and Internationales Abitur after grade 12, while the IB Diploma entitles graduates to study at universities worldwide.
IB Diploma results since 2020 surpass the world average. The Diploma Programme is described as a preparation for university worldwide.
Graduates have access to top German and international universities through the dual Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma programmes. The IB Diploma is generally recognised as a school-leaving certificate in Germany and is widely accepted by universities worldwide.
Pastoral care is tailor-made by teachers; sessions allow students to clarify learning questions, review progress, and set new learning goals; personality development is part of the coaching.
English is the language of instruction in Early Years; the school provides English as an Additional Language support.
Pastoral care supports mental wellbeing through regular sessions, enabling reflection and goal-setting with teachers as part of personal development.
IS Ruhr welcomes new students year-round. Entry is possible at any time, provided age and academic requirements are met. To begin the process, complete the enquiry form on the online platform MySchool; an admissions team member will contact you to continue. During online admission, upload a confidential recommendation from your child's current school (Grades 1–12), three years of previous school reports, a copy of the child's passport, and the immunization record against measles. Admissions by stage: Early Years 1–3 accepts entrants at any time if age and academic requirements are met; Primary Years 1–5 can start at any time if space is available, with all documents received and up to three trial days in the potential class before a final decision; Secondary Years 6–12 can start at any time if places are available, after a placement test in English and Mathematics, followed by trial days and, for Grades 9–12, an interview with the Head of Secondary Years. The final stage is signing the contract and being informed of the start date. Apply now—limited places available. There is a Parent Referral Programme; for 2025–26 there are waiting lists in the Primary Years, so the Early Years Centre is the best route to secure a place.
Scholarships/Financial Assistance is available only for students entering Grades 1–12 (not for Early Years). Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are welcome from December to 31 January 2026. Applicants submit an Application Form, a confidential recommendation from their current school (for new students), full academic reports from the past two years, a personal statement, and family tax/financial documentation as requested. Short-listed candidates are invited to an interview at school and must complete an English proficiency test; final offers will be communicated by mid-March 2026. Scholarships/Financial Assistance are reviewed annually and are not guaranteed beyond the first year. Applications must be submitted in English.
There are waiting lists in the Primary Years; Early Years has spaces, making the Early Years Centre the best way to secure a place.
Martin-Luther-King Straße 14, D-53175 Bonn, Germany. The BIS campus is modern, spacious and well equipped, with an excellent IT infrastructure, a Media Centre Library, tournament sports halls, design rooms and labs. The school serves students aged 3–18 from the Bonn region and international communities.
Early Learning (ages 3-6); Primary Years (ages 6-11); Middle Years (ages 11-16); Diploma Years (ages 16-18).
The school is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
800 students from 80 countries; 80 nationalities represented.
The Learning Support Programme empowers students with diverse educational needs to become confident, independent learners. It includes English language support (EAL) for students joining BIS who do not speak English; a team of trained staff provides in-class and pull-out support as needed; additional fees may apply depending on the plan.
Germany
The official school day begins at 8:20 for all grade levels and ends between 15:15 and 15:30 depending on the grade level. After-school care on campus is available until 18:00, and co-curricular activities run onsite until 19:30.
Uniform for Physical Education is worn by students in Grades 1–10: a green BIS logo t-shirt and blue shorts. The clothing is ordered online from Flockinger, with a complete set costing between €26 and €38. Traveling Sports Teams may require a co-curricular tracksuit jacket.
Primary students may pre-order meals from our onsite caterer or bring food from home; Secondary students may pre-order, buy lunch on the day, or bring their own. Weekly menus include vegetarian options, allergens and additives are indicated on menus, and meals cost €5.95 and include a dessert.
Bonn International School is a registered non-profit association supervised by a Board of Trustees.
The school offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: Middle Years Programme (11–16 years) and Diploma Programme (Diploma Years, 16–19 years).
Average class size: 18 students.
Average graduation points: 35 out of 45; graduates access universities of their choice.
Graduates access universities of their choice.
The school believes students thrive best in a safe, supportive, and valued environment. BIS has a comprehensive programme to address the social and emotional needs of our students. Two Counselors in our Primary School and two in our Secondary School focus on four major components: individual student plans; wellbeing in classroom learning and curriculum; addressing immediate concerns; connecting to resources. Individual student plans support whole-child development and strongly value student voice. In collaboration, our team works to support students' social-emotional development, to enhance overall wellbeing and academic readiness. School Counselors coordinate ongoing meetings and activities to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
The Learning Support Programme empowers students with diverse educational needs to become confident, independent learners. Our Learning Support team embraces inclusion and fosters compassion for all. BIS provides a wide spectrum of learning support to eligible students, including those with mild, moderate or intensive needs, within a school-wide intervention system. Admission to the Learning Support Programme is dependent upon balanced classes and the availability of resources. To determine the proper level of educational support, parents provide a psycho-educational evaluation, and the learning plan is tailored to the results. The learning plan may include small-group instruction, in-class support and/or one-to-one instruction.
English Language Acquisition (EAL) supports students who are not proficient in English. Primary EAL classes cover beginner to intermediate levels and are scheduled during homeroom language time, with emphasis on communicative, task-based activities. EAL in-class support helps students gain language skills and confidence, and teachers monitor progress in consultation with the homeroom teacher. The Secondary School offers an EAL Programme for Grades 6-12, with an English-language pathway from MYP Language Acquisition to DP Language Acquisition. A foundational class may be added for students entering with minimal English, and a language needs assessment is conducted on entry. English is the language of instruction.
We believe that students thrive academically and personally in a safe, supported environment. BIS has a comprehensive programme to address social and emotional needs. Two Counselors in Primary School and two in Secondary School focus on four components: individual student plans; wellbeing in classroom learning and curriculum; addressing immediate concerns; and connecting to resources. Counselors collaborate with students to set personal goals and develop future plans, and they coordinate ongoing meetings and activities to support growth. They also lead developmentally appropriate guidance lessons woven throughout the curriculum and liaise with families and external services when needed.
The safety, wellbeing, and dignity of every child are paramount. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and staff, students, parents, and visitors act with vigilance, care and integrity. BIS safeguards through a framework including the BIS Child Protection Policy and BIS Child Protection Procedures, Safe Touch Policy, Intimate Care and Toileting Policy, Whistleblower Policy, and Code of Conduct for all adults. All staff participate in annual safeguarding training, and BIS maintains a closed campus with a dedicated security team. BIS safeguarding leads are trained and ready to respond to concerns.
Getting started: information is collected during the application to place your child in the appropriate grade level and guide subject choices. Apply via OpenApply, where you submit all details and upload documents. BIS accepts children year‑round with no application deadline, but admission depends on the availability of places in the requested grade level, and some grades may be full. The 2025‑2026 school year began on August 18, 2025. What you need for your application: a copy of your child's passport, your child's measles immunization record, a confidential recommendation from the child's current school (required for Grades 1–12), and two years of previous school reports. A full application must be completed on the BIS OpenApply site before a review of the student application takes place. Grade level placement may involve age guidelines, and language and mathematics testing may be used; admissions tests in Mathematics, English and/or German may be administered at the Principal's discretion.
Financial Assistance Programme: BIS offers financial assistance for families who can demonstrate need. Applicants must be legally resident in Germany. Financial Assistance is awarded on the basis of need after submitting the Financial Assistance Application Form and necessary supporting documents for review by the Financial Assistance Committee (Director, Business Manager and others as determined by the Director). Applications should be received by 15 February for the following school year, and a scholarship can also be applied for at enrolment during a school year. Interviews may be part of the process. Scholarships are awarded based on household income, using a table that links income bands and family size to the percentage of support. Financial Assistance covers Admission and Tuition Fees for Early Learning through Grade 12. All applications must be in English and can only be considered once a place application has been submitted and approved. Decisions are final. Recipients are expected to maintain good attendance, strong effort and appropriate behavior.
ISD is located in the heart of Düsseldorf, Germany. The main campus is Niederrheinstrasse 336, 40489 Düsseldorf, Germany. It is a K-12 IB flagship school in the heart of Düsseldorf.
Kindergarten / Early Years Programme; Elementary School; Senior School (Middle Years Programme; Diploma Programme). ISD provides a full IB programme from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
IB World School
Germany
The school has no uniform requirement. A dress code applies to all students. For sports, ISD teams wear the ISD sports uniform, which can be purchased from the ISD Store.
Subsidised hot lunches are available in the elementary and senior school cafeterias via the lunch card system. Fresh vegetables, side salads, and fresh fruit accompany meals, with a full vegetarian option each day. Packed lunches are welcome, and the senior school cafe offers sandwiches, panini, fruit salads, and other snacks; purchases are made with the lunch card.
The ISD Board of Trustees governs the school. The Board consists of seven elected members, up to three appointed members, and up to three ex-officio members, with ex-officio including the school director and a representative from the US Consulate General in Düsseldorf.
The school has a full IB Continuum curriculum, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Elementary School, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in the Senior School, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in the Senior School. The PYP covers eight years of schooling from age 4 to 11 and is inquiry-based. The MYP includes eight core subjects, life-skills classes, and interdisciplinary electives; in Grade 10 students complete a Personal Project and participate in Service as Action. The DP comprises six subject groups (Studies in Language and Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals and Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; and the Arts) plus the Diploma Programme Core (Theory of Knowledge; Extended Essay; Creativity, Activity, Service). ISD offers about 54 DP courses and more than 90% of students in Grades 11–12 are enrolled in the Diploma Programme.
Diploma Programme results (2025) show strong performance: 44/45 is the maximum score achieved; 22% of DP students earned 40+ points; the average score across DP students was 35 (world average 30.6); 57% scored more than 35; 43% of diplomas awarded were bilingual; more than 90% of students in Grades 11–12 are enrolled in the Diploma Programme.
Graduates are admitted to top universities worldwide, with Class of 2025 offers across diverse majors at institutions in Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and more; ISD notes admissions to universities in the QS World University Rankings top 200, Times Higher Education world rankings, and Russell Group universities. More than 90% of students in Grades 11–12 are enrolled in the Diploma Programme, and ISD provides counselling to support university admissions.
ISD provides support for physical, emotional, and social wellbeing for students, parents, and staff. A team of school counsellors offers comprehensive support at all grade levels. Life Skills for grades 6-10 deliver a flexible, experiential curriculum focused on adolescents' social, emotional, and personal growth. Pastoral Care includes counselling in the Elementary and Senior Schools to promote educational, emotional, and social welfare and to support transitions and social skills. SMART Moves Ambassadors help new students integrate socially, and transition mentoring provides one-on-one support for newcomers.
ISD guides and encourages students to meet their potential while acknowledging and addressing learning differences. Targeted support is provided and strategies are taught to transfer learning across classroom settings. An individualised education plan (IEP), containing learning goals broken down into learning outcomes, is developed for each student. A referral process yields a full psycho-educational assessment with recommendations for specific accommodations and modifications. ISD regularly collaborates with students, parents, teachers, and other professionals to design the best possible support plan. The program includes activities to develop memory, organisation, and study skills, health and well-being, and literacy and numeracy.
The English as an Additional Language (EAL) team supports students whose first language is not English to acquire the linguistic competence needed to succeed in mainstream classes. EAL is delivered in an authentic, comprehensible environment that is challenging. The curriculum recognises diverse backgrounds and provides a progressive course focusing on the structures and functions of language with emphasis on communication. Students are assessed on participation, oral work, and teacher observation. Students can exit the programme when fluency and accuracy reach the required standard to succeed in the mainstream classroom. Students are encouraged to access their mother tongue to support content while learning.
ISD provides levels of support focusing on physical, emotional, and social wellbeing for students, parents, and staff. A team of school counsellors offers comprehensive support at all grade levels. Life Skills for grades 6-10 focus on wellbeing, including mental, social, emotional and physical health. The Counselling Department mission is to develop each student's academic, social, and emotional competencies through a developmentally appropriate counselling and Life Skills curriculum. Pastoral Care includes elementary counselling to promote welfare and transitions, and senior-school counselling to address life events and other concerns.
ISD is committed to safeguarding and providing a safe, welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. ISD Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures are established in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and local German law. Child protection work is informed by the International Task Force on Child Protection, a branch of the Council of International Schools. ISD has appointed a Safeguarding Lead and two Safeguarding Coordinators to promote the education and training of staff as related to child protection under German school law and to ensure that all suspicions of abuse are promptly reported and appropriately responded to.
1. Submit an inquiry or start your application via ENQUIRY FORM. A member of ISD's Admissions Team will contact you to learn more about your child(ren) and your family, answer questions, and offer a personal Zoom meeting or an in-person tour of our campuses. The ENQUIRY FORM is accessible from the Admissions page. 2. Attend Virtual Open House sessions to learn more about ISD, meet members of our team, and explore what makes our learning community unique. Registration is available; Session 2: Tuesday 20 January 2026 | 18:30 – 20:00 CET; Session 3: Wednesday 18 March 2026 | 09:00 – 10:30 CET. 3. ISD accepts new students throughout the year and processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis; vacancies regularly arise throughout the school year. 4. New students are normally placed in their age-appropriate group based on a cut-off date of 01 September. 5. The language of instruction in all classes (apart from German and World Languages) is English; Students up to grade 10 receive tailored English as an Additional Language support; German classes are compulsory for Prep to Grade 10, and in the Senior School a third language may be studied (Spanish, French or Japanese).
ISD maintains a Financial Assistance & Scholarship programme with a limited number of Financial Assistance scholarships available each year, offered as tuition-fee reductions for eligible students. The student and at least one parent must be resident in Germany, and applications are submitted using the Financial Assistance application form (in English or German) with the required documents. The deadline for applications is April each year for assistance in the following year, and the Financial Assistance Committee meets no later than May to review applications. The level of assistance is based on a family's gross annual worldwide income, including all positive earnings; child benefits/family allowances are considered as part of the assessment. Renewal is possible but not guaranteed, and all applications are treated confidentially.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, vacancies regularly arise throughout the school year.
Graf-Recke-Strasse 220, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany. The Lycée Français International Simone Veil is in Düsseldorf, Germany. It welcomes around 600 students from kindergarten through the final year of secondary school.
Seconde (10th grade), Première (1ère), Terminale. Three classes from Seconde to Terminale, leading to the French Baccalauréat, with Abibac or BFI options; AIS and the European English Section are offered.
French international high school in Düsseldorf; multilingual teaching (French, German, English, Spanish); Abibac, BFI, AIS; European English Section.
Inclusive education with ÉBÉP referents for students with special educational needs; Personalized Schooling Projects (PPS), Personalized Planning for Educational Success (PPRE), Personalised Assistance Plan (PAP), and Individual Health Plan (PAI); psychologist available; contact details provided for ÉBÉP and health services.
France (AEFE network).
The school is part of the AEFE network, overseen by the Agency for French Education Abroad. The Parents' Association (APE) runs the school as the legal employer of local staff. The Management Committee (Vorstand) is elected by the APE to oversee the budget and strategic direction. The Establishment Council (Conseil d'établissement) is a tripartite body with equal representation from the administration, staff, and parents and students, and the School Council (Conseil d'école) is chaired by the headteacher and adopts the internal regulations.
The school offers the French Baccalauréat with options including Abibac and the BFI. Seconde, Première and Terminale form the high-school cycle, with a program of specialization through subject choices. All students follow a common core of the Baccalauréat, including two hours of science per week in Première and Terminale, plus French (Première), philosophy (Terminale), history-geography, modern languages A and B, EMC and EPS; core courses account for about 60% of total in Première and 55% in Terminale. The French International Baccalaureate (BFI) is a pathway within the Baccalauréat, replacing the former OIB; starting in 1ère, students on this option study alongside the general baccalauréat and benefit from three enrichment components: World Knowledge, Non-Linguistic Discipline (DNL) taught in a foreign language, and Cultural and linguistic enrichment. The AIS (American International Section) is a linguistic and bicultural programme set up by the French Ministry of Education in cooperation with the United States. The Baccalauréat provides access to higher education in France and around the world, and the BFI is designed to prepare students for entry to the grandes écoles and universities depending on their plans.
The Baccalauréat opens access to higher education in France and abroad. The BFI is designed to prepare students for entry to grandes écoles and universities in France and worldwide. The AIS program and multilingual core support students in pursuing international higher-education options.
The school teaches social-emotional learning to help students understand themselves and their emotions, and the emotions of others, in a playful, benevolent and creative environment. This supports the development of empathy, collaboration and resilience.
The school offers inclusive education for students with special educational needs (ÉBÉP). It does not exclude anyone and provides adaptations to meet each student's educational, physical, social and emotional needs. The EBÉP referents are Mme Berthod and Mme Barsotti for secondary and Mme Chardon for primary. Educational accommodations follow the Ministry of National Education guidelines and include PPS, PAP, PPRE and PAI. A psychologist provides prevention, screening, evaluation and support, and the school has an agreement with the AWO Education Counseling Center; the psychologist is Mme Baroche.
Languages offered include German, English, Spanish (from 4th grade) and Latin (from 5th). A bilingual German-English program operates from the early years with German from Petite Section and English from Moyenne Section. Non-French-speaking or limited-French students can receive support in FLSco from Moyenne Section. The ABIBAC bilingual section prepares for both the French Baccalaureate and the German Abitur. English-language pathways include English+ Collège and the Section européenne anglais, with DNL in English; the SIA (Section Internationale Américaine) started in 2021 and continues through collège. The BFI (Baccalauréat Français International) path includes World Knowledge, DNL and cultural-linguistic deepening.
The school fosters a safe physical and emotional climate and teaches compassion, teamwork and confidence to pursue dreams. Kindness is at the center of everything we do. Socio-emotional learning supports students' well-being and social development.
Safeguarding is integrated into the inclusive approach; the school addresses educational, physical, social and emotional needs of all students. EBÉP referents coordinate with families and staff, and a psychologist provides preventive and therapeutic support, with external cooperation as needed to protect and support students.
1. Register and/or re-enroll your child via our website and the Eduka platform. A place is guaranteed once the procedure is completed in accordance with the general terms and conditions, including submission of the required documents and payment of the registration fees. The admissions department verifies the submitted documents as part of the enrollment review.
2. Confirmation of enrolment and re-enrolment will be sent via the Eduka platform after verification by the admissions department. The admissions department reviews the submitted documents as part of the enrollment process. Enrollment status is communicated through Eduka, and you will receive a notification of the decision.
AEFE provides schooling assistance in the form of a grant to French children from families with insufficient resources to cover all or part of their school fees. This program is administered through the AEFE network.
