Deutsche Schule Melbourne

DSM is located in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, at 96 Barkly Street, corner of Dean Street. It is 6.5 kilometres north of Flinders Street Station; the main entrance is on Barkly Street. Parking is limited on Barkly Street, Dean Street and Holden Street, with a car park off Holden Street for quick drop-off or pick-up. Public transport options include Tram 11 (CBD to Holden St/St Georges Rd) and Tram 96 (Holden St/Nicholson St), and bus routes 246, 250, 251, 253 stop nearby; bikes/scooters may be parked at bike racks on Dean Street.

Foundation to Year 6 with plans to become a secondary school

German-English bilingual primary school with a dual curriculum

Bunte Stunde is a cross-class school support and extension program providing differentiated small-group support across Prep to Year Six, including remediation, consolidation and extension; weekly sessions in German, Mathematics and English led by two teachers per class.

Australia and Germany

School day 9:00 am–3:15 pm; English, German and Mathematics taught daily, with Integrated Studies, Art, Music and Physical Education scheduled throughout the week; recess 10:30–11:00, lunch 12:30–1:30; OSHC before/after school care 7:00–9:00 am and 3:30–6:00 pm.

Porter Street/Holden Street bus stop in front of the car park served by buses 250 and 251; Stop 358 Nicholson St/Holden St served by buses 246/250/251/253.

Deutsche Schule Melbourne is a German-English bilingual school. The curriculum combines the Victorian Curriculum with the Thüringen curriculum to create an integrated program that transitions smoothly between the two systems. In Foundation Year, approximately 80% of instruction is in German and 20% in English; in the later years the German component moves toward about 50% in each language. The primary curriculum includes German, English, Mathematics, Sachunterricht (science, humanities and social studies), Health and Physical Education (HPE), Art, Music, Ethics and Class Council, with French introduced from Year 5; Mathematics is taught in German in the early years and in both languages from Year 3. The program is VRQA-compliant and KMK/ZfA-recognized as a German Auslandsschule, and emphasises cross-curricular connections and bilingual, intercultural learning.

Class sizes are kept small.

Year 5 VERA results are consistently above average; NAPLAN data is reviewed annually but not used in isolation, as DSM emphasises bilingual literacy across languages.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is planned for Years 11 and 12. The IB is globally recognised and accepted by universities worldwide. In Australia, IB scores are converted to ATAR for university entry, with typical conversions around 24/45 to ATAR ~68. In Germany, the IB Diploma is recognised as a general university entrance qualification, and the IB is accepted by more than 1,200 universities in over 100 countries.

Bunte Stunde is a cross-class support and extension program to address individual talents, interests and abilities. It creates differentiated small learning groups for remediation, consolidation or extension, with cohorts across Prep to Year Six and two teachers per class.

The school views social-emotional learning (SEL) as a cornerstone of DSM's education. DENK-WEGE is implemented to promote social-emotional, cognitive, and language skills for primary school students. This program strengthens mental health, resilience, and willingness to learn, and supports healthy emotional and social development. DENK-WEGE contributes to the prevention of bullying, disciplinary issues and behavioural problems. The seven core themes are rules and manners; healthy self-esteem; emotions and behaviour; self-control; problem-solving; friendships and social living; learning and organisational strategies, taught in weekly 45-minute sessions. A Learning Diversity Coordinator, a School Counsellor, and pastoral practices such as Class Circles and Class Councils support students' social and emotional development and wellbeing.

The school provides Learning Diversity support through a Learning Diversity Coordinator who works with students individually or in small groups to help recognise emotions, understand how those emotions affect behaviour, and learn calming or problem-solving strategies. The coordinator uses visual tools, role play, guided discussions, and social stories to support learning and transitions and to promote inclusion. A School Counsellor offers individual support for students identified as needing it. Pastoral practices such as Class Circles and Class Councils, and restorative approaches support a safe, inclusive classroom environment.

The school teaches in German and English, with all lessons delivered by native speakers of both languages. Foundation Year features about 80% German and 20% English, progressing toward a 50/50 balance by the end of primary. English is used as a language of instruction alongside German, and no prior German knowledge is required for entry. The curriculum blends the Victorian and German systems, enabling smooth transfer between school systems.

Mental wellbeing is supported through the DENK-WEGE program, which focuses on mental health, resilience, and willingness to learn. It includes seven core themes and weekly 45-minute sessions integrated across the school. A Learning Diversity Coordinator and a School Counsellor provide targeted social-emotional support, while Class Circles and restorative practice contribute to a positive and supportive school climate.

Safeguarding is embedded in School Policies, including a Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy and a Child Safe Code of Conduct. Complaints and Grievances, Serious Incidents and Mandatory Reporting, and First Aid policies guide safeguarding practice. Staff training includes Child Protection and related safety standards, and staff are required to satisfy child protection screening.

1. When to apply: Places at Deutsche Schule Melbourne are limited, so applying early gives your child the best chance of securing a place. Applications are accepted year-round and start dates are flexible depending on availability. Submitting the application well in advance helps families plan around the school calendar.
2. Enrolment requirements: Deutsche Schule Melbourne welcomes families from all cultural and language backgrounds and provides a supportive, inclusive learning environment. No prior German language skills are required for entry into Foundation Year, Year 1 and Year 2. For Foundation Year, the child must have completed a recognised four-year-old Kindergarten program, be five years old by 1 January in the year they begin Foundation Year, and children who turn five between 1 January and 30 April may be considered subject to a School Readiness Assessment. For entry into Year 2 and above, the enrolment meeting will review the child's linguistic background and readiness for the bilingual program, covering their experience with German and English, openness to bilingual learning, and how the school can support a smooth transition. The meeting also reviews recent school reports and discusses the option of a trial day, and may arrange a more formal language assessment if needed.
3. Start your child's journey: How to apply:
• Submit an Application: Complete the Application for Enrolment and provide supporting documents such as birth certificate, passport, visa (if applicable), immunisation record, and any relevant reports.
• Attend an Enrolment Meeting: Foundation Year applicants are invited to meet the Principal around 14 months before the intended start date; for mid-year starts or later year levels, enrolment meetings are scheduled on demand.
• Receive an Offer: If a place is available, a written Offer of Place is issued. To confirm enrolment, return the signed Enrolment Acceptance Form and pay the required amounts by the stated deadline: A$1,400 enrolment fee (non-refundable) and A$3,000 capital contribution (applied over the first three school years).
• Confirmation of Place: Once the signed Enrolment Acceptance Form and payment are received, the place is confirmed. The place is typically secured around one year before the child begins, enabling planning with confidence.
4. Transitioning to School: The school aims for a positive, smooth start for every child. Foundation Year offers two transition lessons in November before the school year begins, during which the child visits a Foundation Year classroom, meets future teachers and classmates, and is paired with a Buddy for day-one support. The first six Wednesdays of Term 1 are free for Foundation Year students to ease the transition. For students starting in later year levels or during the school year, an individual welcome and ideally a trial day are provided; if a trial day isn't possible, the school works with families to support a smooth transition into the school community.

The Deutsche Schule Melbourne Scholarship Fund invites donations to support families facing temporary financial hardship so they can continue their child's education at DSM or enable a new family to join the DSM community. Donations can be made via an electronic payment form or by filling in a Donation Form and submitting it to DSM.