Compare German Curriculum International Schools in Greece

Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. Address: Dimokritou 6 & Germanikis Scholis Athinon, GR 151 23 Maroussi. It is in the Athens metropolitan area.

Kindergarten / Preschool; Primary (grades 1–4); Secondary (grades 5–12)

The school offers all levels of education and applies a German curriculum with a strong Greek emphasis.

Germany

The Deutsche Schule Athen is operated by the Deutscher Schulverein Athens, a registered association. It provides the structural, financial, and staffing framework for implementing the school's goals, while pedagogical leadership is the responsibility of the school head. The board, composed of nine ordinary members, oversees governance and strategy, with committees for Finance, Building, Personnel, School Sponsorship/Marketing, and Tuition Reduction, and advisory representation from the German Embassy.

The Deutsche Schule Athen offers all educational qualifications and follows a German curriculum with a pronounced Greek emphasis. Kindergarten and Vorschule are taught in German for ages 3-6 to prepare students for the next level. Grundschule (grades 1-4) includes around 200 pupils from German, German-Greek, and Greek families, and students learn in German according to the German curriculum with German textbooks. Sekundarstufe (grades 5-12) comprises Sekundarstufe I (grades 5-9) and Sekundarstufe II (grades 10-12); the entrance examination for grade 7 enables Greek primary-school graduates to join, and the final qualification is the DIA, which provides access to higher education in Germany as Bildungsinländer and rights to study in many other countries. The upper school is organized into Profil D (5-12) and Profil E (7-12); Profil D uses German as the language of instruction, while Profil E provides German instruction for science subjects and Greek instruction for humanities, with Altgriechisch, French and Informatik offered as electives through grade 12. In daily life, many subjects are taught in German and others in Greek, creating a bilingual environment and enabling language choices in several subjects, supported by Studien- und Berufsberatung to prepare students for higher education and careers.

The Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) enables access to university study in Germany as Bildungsinländer and grants the right to study in many other countries; the school provides Studien- und Berufsberatung (study and career guidance).

DSA provides psychosocial support through the Beratungszentrum, a multidisciplinary team including specialists in special education, school psychology, and school social work. Staff hold that students have a right to support for emotional and social challenges, recognizing the school as a social space where growth happens. Psychosocial counseling is a central service designed to help students cope with difficulties and to realize their full potential. Key principles are confidentiality, respect, appreciation, and empathy in all professional interactions. Our aim is to identify students' needs early and to initiate appropriate supports and interventions. Collaboration among teachers, support staff, and parents is essential for holistic student development.

DSA offers dedicated support for learners with special educational needs through the Beratungszentrum. Staff help determine learning status and progression through continuous professional observation in class and kindergarten. Diagnostics of learning outcomes and processes are carried out, and individualized Förderpläne (support plans) are created, with targeted measures in differentiation. Collaboration with teachers and parental counseling is provided. Cooperation with external institutions supports students beyond the school. Participation in Förderkonferenzen and collegial consultations is included.

DSA's Beratungszentrum provides mental wellbeing support through a multidisciplinary team, including school psychology and school social work. Psychosoziale assessments and diagnostic services (emotionale Diagnostik) are available to identify needs. Crisis and short-term interventions are offered to support students in immediate distress. Counseling and coaching are available for parents, teachers, and staff to support child development and emotional wellbeing. The team also supports families with guidance on parenting and cross-school supervision is available to ensure consistent wellbeing support. Collaboration among staff and families ensures a holistic approach to student mental health.

DSA maintains safeguarding practices with a designated safeguarding concept officer. School social work services address exclusion and bullying and support conflict resolution and crisis intervention. Violence prevention is part of the school program. Cross-school collegial case consultation provides external oversight. Confidentiality, respect, and empathy guide all safeguarding work. Parents receive guidance and support as needed.

Kindergarten / Vorschule: The German School of Athens admits children from age three into Kindergarten. Vorschule accepts five-year-old children. Priority is given to children who have already attended Kindergarten; therefore new admissions to Vorschule are only possible when places are available. Applications for the upcoming school year are generally accepted from January to March; a personal appointment with the Kindergarten and Vorschule management should be arranged. A pre-registration PDF is available. Grundschule (Kl. 1-4): Admission is open to children of all nationalities. German language proficiency is expected at a very high level because the children learn here in German. Other prerequisites include language abilities and the availability of sufficient places in the class. Children from Vorschule are given preference; otherwise only a few places are available. Admission decisions are made by the Grundschulleitung. Inquiries should be emailed directly to the Grundschulleitung; inquiries should preferably be between October and March before the relevant school year, and a personal meeting with the parents and child with the Grundschulleitung is required during this period. Timelines: since 2022, the cutoff for entry into the first grade is December 31; all children who turn six by December 31 can start in September. Admission decisions for the following school year are usually made in April or May; inquiries in May or later have only a small chance of a place. Families should contact early; the Grundschulleitung begins preparations in October; the first inquiry date does not guarantee acceptance. The transfer to Grundschule should ideally occur in summer; exceptions may be possible by agreement. Anmeldung der Kinder aus der Vorschule der DSA: For all Vorschule children, the Grundschule holds a place; the transition from Vorschule to Grundschule is not automatic and depends on conditions such as language ability and overall readiness. The language ability is assessed over time, with a second-half-year evaluation and, if needed, a school suitability test. Parents are advised to use the kindergarten's extensive advisory services and to discuss any concerns with the Vorschule staff. Quereinsteiger: Children who did not attend Vorschule can generally be admitted to any grade; admissions decisions are made by the Grundschulleitung; inquiries should be sent via email; inquiries should ideally be between October and March; a personal meeting with the Grundschulleitung is required. The school emphasizes that places are limited and early contact improves chances; for Greek-school students in Athens, a place is offered only in exceptional cases, and consideration of entering the DSA profile E after 6th grade is advised. Aufnahmeverfahren: After the initial family contact (via email to the Grundschulleitung), a personal meeting with the child and at least one parent is typically arranged; online meetings are only in exceptional cases; it helps to send any existing certificates or reports from the kindergarten in advance. The admission decision is typically made in April or May for the following school year. Anmeldung für kurze Zeit: Besuchskinder: Short-term admissions are possible only in exceptional cases for important reasons; interested families should contact the Grundschulleitung.

Studienstipendien der Deutschen Schule Athen: A scholarship fund, established around 2013 with proceeds from Oktoberfest and the School Association, continues to support a number of DSA graduates in pursuing studies in Germany. The fund is funded by Oktoberfest proceeds, additional donations, and funds provided by the School Association; recipients are supported for the duration of the undergraduate program (3 years / 6 semesters) with regular payments. The ideal scholarship candidate demonstrates above-average academic achievement and social engagement inside or outside school and is expected to serve as an ambassador for their class and as a point of contact for study-related questions. Selection is carried out by a committee that includes members of different school community groups and a representative of the German Embassy. DAAD scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to students with German nationality who wish to study in Germany, starting from the first semester. As part of the government program to support German Auslandsschulen, DSA may nominate three candidates for DAAD scholarships each year.