Bavarian International School - City Campus

The school has two campuses: Haimhausen Campus and City Campus in Munich-Schwabing. The Haimhausen Campus is approximately 15 km north of Munich, and the City Campus is located in Munich-Schwabing.

The school has Primary through International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), including IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), DP and CP.

The school is a non-profit gAG (gemeinnützige Aktiengesellschaft) with two campuses.

The school has an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme and Learning Support for students with mild learning differences.

ASA times: Haimhausen—Mon-Thu 16:15–17:15; Fri 14:30–15:30. City Campus—Mon-Thu 15:30–16:30; Fri 13:50–14:50. ASC times: City Campus Mon-Thu 15:30–18:00; Fri 13:30–17:00.

The school has a bus shuttle service for the two campuses, including a morning and after-school shuttle to the Garching-Hochbrück U6; a courtesy bus for Secondary School students; and a City Line Bus with fixed stops at Odeonsplatz, Münchner Freiheit and BIS City Campus.

The school offers the full range of IB programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). PYP is for ages 3-12, MYP is for ages 13-16, and DP/CP are for ages 16-19. The two campuses are the City Campus in Munich and the Haimhausen Campus. English is the language of instruction; German language classes are offered from Grade 1 and additional languages—French, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin—begin in Grade 6. Support services include language and learning support, pastoral care and university counselling.

The school reports an average student–teacher ratio of 7:1.

In 2025, two BIS DP graduates achieved the maximum 45/45 points; 17% of graduates scored more than 40 points. In 2023, the DP average was 35 points, with 18.3% scoring above 40. These results indicate BIS DP scores are competitive with, and often above, global averages.

Graduates are admitted to top universities around the world. University and career counselling support students with higher education planning, including events with university representatives and targeted guidance.

BIS has a holistic pastoral care program that supports students' academic, social, and emotional wellbeing. The pastoral care team works with educators across the school to provide vital support and to foster stable, strong relationships. Pastoral Leaders and mentors support students through a structured network from teachers to pastoral leaders to ensure care. The IB Approaches to Learning identify affective skills such as mindfulness, perseverance, emotional management, self-motivation and resilience as part of student development. The PSHE program covers topics including sexual education, body image, digital safety, equity, and bullying to help students stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and work.

BIS Learning Support provides services for students with mild learning differences to support their access to the curriculum. Learning Support teachers work with classroom teachers, families and external professionals to create an inclusive learning environment. Services include monitoring, in-class support, and individual or small-group instruction, with modifications documented in students' Individualised Education Plans. BIS offers the Infinity Programme for asynchronous learners, currently for Grades 6-8, giving high-achieving students opportunities to deepen topics and receive targeted teacher professional development on social and emotional needs of high-achieving students. The program aims to minimize obstacles to learning and accommodate diverse needs through a variety of delivery models.

The EAL programme equips each student with social and academic language skills to access BIS's learning environment. Every EAL student may continue learning their native language through the Home Language Programme. A home language survey and English language skills assessment determine placement along the language acquisition continuum. In secondary school, newcomers join the Newcomer Centre for Grades 6-8; Grades 6-10 join MYP English Language Acquisition; Grade 11 students study English B in the IB Diploma or High School Diploma. The Home Language literacy level is a key predictor of English language acquisition and academic success; maintaining Home Language affords academic, professional and cultural opportunities.

BIS supports mental wellbeing through a dedicated counselling and pastoral care framework for students, parents, and staff. The Counselling Department operates in a supportive, confidential, solution-focused manner and uses best practices from international models in school counselling and the American School Counselling Association. Counselling services address transitions, academic support, stress management, friendship/relationship issues, group programs, crisis counselling, and wellbeing lessons tailored to grade level needs. The pastoral care program aligns with IB Approaches to Learning affective skills, PSHE components, and a broader aim to develop social and emotional skills and resilience. BIS emphasizes healthy lifestyle and emotional and social development through professional staff and ongoing wellbeing initiatives.

The Health team provides child protection services across campuses as part of daily care. The Counselling Department safeguards the human rights of all members of the BIS community, and supports a safe learning environment. BIS collaborates with local health and school authorities to ensure safety, health, and wellbeing. The BIS site links to a Whistleblower Protection policy to safeguard staff and students; such policies exist as part of their safeguarding framework. BIS is committed to safeguarding children and young people as part of its pastoral and wellbeing framework.

Admissions at BIS uses rolling admissions with a five-step process: Enquire, Visit, Apply, Decision, Enrolment. The application process includes submitting an online application, paying a non-refundable €200 application fee, testing and screening (EC2–Grade 5 may have guest days and a German language screening; Grades 6–12 may complete an online English placement test and a spontaneous writing assignment, followed by a personal interview, which can be conducted via video for long-distance applicants). The Admissions Committee reviews all components and aims to provide an admission decision within 10 working days after receiving a complete application, though this may extend during holidays or if extra information is required. A place is confirmed only after the application is complete, the enrolment contract is signed, and fees have been received. Enrollment priorities favour expat families first, then siblings, then local German families. If spaces are limited, applicants are placed on a waiting list and BIS cannot disclose a specific position on the wait list. The language of instruction is English; German is taught as part of the curriculum from Grade 1, and five other main languages are taught (German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Mandarin).

Scholarship Programme is run by Friends of BIS e.V. and BIS funds scholarships to enable particularly gifted and capable students to attend BIS regardless of parental income. In addition to Believe, Inspire, and Succeed, BIS is introducing the Dr. Chrissie Sorenson Scholarship for Grades 9–12 starting in 2026–27. The Dr. Chrissie Sorenson Scholarship is named after BIS's Head of School and is funded entirely by a BIS community member; it is available to German or international children who are permanent residents in Germany and whose families can prove financial need. The application process includes emailing scholarship@bis-school.com, submitting a financial questionnaire and a motivation letter, starting the online application, and possibly completing an English test, followed by a presentation to a panel if shortlisted. Deadline for the Dr. Chrissie Sorenson scholarship is April 7, 2026. The first awardee was Isabella B. Important notes: candidates must have permanent residence in Germany; financial need must be proven; existing BIS students are not eligible. For inquiries, scholarship@bis-school.com.

Does BIS have a waiting list? When a grade is full, qualified applicants are placed on a waiting list and contacted as soon as a space opens; BIS cannot disclose a student's position on the wait list.