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International School of Bremen

Germany, Bremen

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €12,500 - 18,700
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 330
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages German, French, Spanish
Typical class size 16
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Cultural and Language, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Located directly on the University of Bremen campus, the International School of Bremen (ISB) provides an English-medium education for students from ages 3 to 18. The school follows the International Early Years and Primary Curriculums, progressing into the Cambridge IGCSE and culminating with the IB Diploma Programme. ISB is the first international school in Germany to earn the MINT-EC Partner School status, reflecting a heavy emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students access modern science laboratories, an extensive media center, and the university's sports facilities. The school also offers a dedicated Music Enrichment Programme featuring private tuition in instruments ranging from the violin to the ukulele. A distinctive feature is the school's integrated boarding program for secondary students, which emphasizes practical life skills like personal finance, cooking, and self-reliance, ensuring students gain tangible independence before transitioning to university.

Badgasteiner Str. 11, 28359 Bremen, Germany

The Essentials

International School of Bremen has 330 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location

Badgasteiner Strasse 11, 28359 Bremen, Germany. The campus is located on the University of Bremen campus. It is well-connected to Bremen's public transport network, and many students travel to school by tram or bus.

Stages

Early Learning (ages 3-6); Elementary/IPC (Grades 1-5); Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum (Grades 6-8); IGCSE (Grades 9-10); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12).

Type

Private International School

Pupil Nationality Mix

ISB hosts students from over 53 countries.

Country affiliation

Germany

School day structure

The school day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm; on Fridays, dismissal is at 2:10 pm. Depending on the timetable, IB classes may end at 3:50 pm on certain days.

Bus service

No dedicated school bus; public transport is used (tram/bus) to travel to school.

Fees

Annual tuition at International School of Bremen ranges from EUR 12,500 to EUR 18,700 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees
- Application fee (non-refundable): EUR 1,000. For additional siblings registered at the same time or later an additional Application Fee of EUR 500 applies per sibling.
- Family Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable): EUR 5,000, payable when a place is accepted and enrollment is confirmed in writing.
- Security (book) deposit (refundable): EUR 350, payable on acceptance and registration; refundable (without interest) on leaving after completion of leave-clearance formalities, subject to settlement of any claims.

Annual tuition fees (by year group) — stated in Euros
- Early Learning 1–3: EUR 12,500 per year.
- Elementary (Grade 1–4): EUR 14,000 per year.
- Secondary (Grade 5–8): EUR 14,600 per year.
- Secondary (Grade 9–10): EUR 18,200 per year.
- Secondary (Grade 11–12): EUR 18,700 per year.
- Non-resident surcharge: When a student is not resident in the State of Bremen, an additional EUR 1,000 applies to each grade-level fee per year.

Per-term / installment amounts and alternative payment plans
- Annual payment: full-year amounts as listed above; an early-payment reduction is available for a single payment made by the early-payment deadline: reductions are small (for example, most year groups see a EUR 100 reduction on full-year fees when paid early).
- Quarterly payment (Plan 2): fees may be paid in four quarterly installments with an administration fee of EUR 25 per quarter. Quarterly amounts (examples):
- Early Learning 1–3: EUR 3,150 per quarter.
- Elementary 1–4: EUR 3,525 per quarter.
- Secondary 5–8: EUR 3,675 per quarter.
- Secondary 9–10: EUR 4,575 per quarter.
- Secondary 11: EUR 4,700 per quarter.
- Secondary 12: EUR 6,259 per quarter (final quarter not applicable for Grade 12 in that format).
- Monthly payment (Plan 3 — Director approval required): 10 monthly installments (August–May) with an administration fee of EUR 10 per month. Monthly examples (including the administration fee):
- Early Learning 1–3: EUR 1,260 per month.
- Elementary 1–4: EUR 1,410 per month.
- Secondary 5–8: EUR 1,470 per month.
- Secondary 9–10: EUR 1,830 per month.
- Secondary 11–12: EUR 1,880 per month for Grades 11–12 respectively.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual fees for the School Year are invoiced with the School Fees due date indicated as 1 August (example: School Fees for 2025/2026 are stated as due on 1 August 2025). Payment may be made annually, quarterly or monthly under the approved payment plans.
- Quarterly payment due dates: 1 August, 1 November, 1 February and 1 May. Monthly plan is payable in 10 installments from August through May.
- Accepted payment methods: payments must be made by standing order or by direct debit authorization; bank transfers to the school bank account are used (IBAN and BIC are provided on invoices). International bank charges for transfers are to be borne by the payer.
- Late payment: arrears interest of 1% per month applies if payment is delayed for more than two weeks from due date. If delay continues for more than one month, the School may terminate the schooling contract; legal costs for fee recovery are charged to the payer.

Boarding fees and arrangements (where applicable)
- Boarding is offered for students aged approximately 14–18. Boarding fees are additional to the stated tuition fees. For a first year including tuition and the one-time registration fees, total costs (tuition + boarding + one-time registration) are indicated as approximately EUR 49,000 (rounded guidance given for first-year total costs; boarding is charged in addition to the school tuition figures listed above). Meals (three meals plus a snack) are included in the boarding charge. Specific line-item boarding fees are invoiced separately.
- Boarding places are confirmed on receipt of the relevant application and payment; guardianship and visa assistance arrangements are described as part of the boarding admissions process.

Other costs and additional charges
- Items commonly charged in addition to tuition: extracurricular activity fees where outside providers are used, Music Enrichment Programme charges, day-trip costs, overnight/residential trip charges (accommodation, travel, food), and the school lunch programme (lunch is not included in standard tuition). These costs vary by activity and year group.
- School cloth/uniform is available and is ordered separately through the school's supplier; prices for garments are charged at point of order.

Refunds and early-departure terms
- Security deposit: refundable (without interest) after student withdrawal once the Leave Clearance Form has been submitted and after settlement of any outstanding claims; an explicit refund request must be made within three years of withdrawal or the right to refund is lost.
- Early departures and late registrations: fees are adjusted for late registrations on a monthly pro-rata scale (example: a registration in October is charged 90% of the yearly fee, November 80%, etc.). Early departures require written notice and take effect at the end of the second calendar month following receipt of notice; refunds of any credit balance are made after settlement of outstanding claims. Refund arrangements for early departures are to be arranged with the School Director. There is no refund of tuition for instructional days lost for reasons beyond the school's control (including weather, strikes, epidemics/pandemics, force majeure).
Academics

International School of Bremen teaches IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum for Grades 6 to 8 covers English, Mathematics, Science, and Global Perspectives, with arts, humanities and physical education. The program is student-centred and inquiry-based, with Cambridge Checkpoint assessments to monitor progress. Global Perspectives is a core component that develops critical thinking, research, analysis, evaluation and collaboration. Cambridge IGCSE is offered for Grades 9 to 10, covering languages, mathematics, sciences and humanities, and is recognized as equivalent to the German Mittlere Reife under certain conditions. IBDP is offered for Grades 11 to 12, spanning six subject groups with Higher and Standard Levels, plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS, and is globally recognized as a German university entrance qualification.

Student Teacher Ratio

Teacher to student ratio is 1:8; average class size is 16.

Exam Results

IBDP results exceed international averages: the average IB score is 35 points, compared to the global average of 31; 96% of students pass the IBDP in a non-selective school. IGCSE results in 2024 were at or above international averages across most subjects. IQB national testing shows ISB students significantly outperform Bremen averages in German proficiency. ISA (PISA) testing shows strong performance in Mathematical Literacy, Reading, and Scientific Literacy across ESB and NESB cohorts.

Higher Education Progression

A University Counsellor supports students in life after school, including higher education planning; the IBDP is globally recognized and fully recognized as a German university entrance qualification; the ISB campus on the University of Bremen provides access to university resources and facilities to support applicants.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school integrates Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education into daily activities to help children develop essential life skills and emotional intelligence. Philosophy for Children (P4C) is used to encourage thoughtful discussions and reflective thinking. These practices help children understand their feelings, build strong relationships, and develop empathy and respect for others. The Early Learning Centre uses IEYC and IPC frameworks, blending structured themes with play to support social development. The literacy program, Jolly Phonics, supports language development in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school offers in-class support for students with mild to mid-level learning difficulties. Support is provided in a limited manner. The school is non-selective and does not conduct entrance tests.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English is the language of instruction. German is offered as a second language from Grade 2 onwards at a native or non-native level. French or Spanish is offered as a third language from Grade 5 onwards. Students with limited English language skills receive support from the EAL team.

Mental Wellbeing

The well-being of our students is paramount at ISB. We offer a comprehensive support system, including counselling services, wellness programs, and pastoral care, to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and valued. Our dedicated staff are available to provide guidance and assistance to help students navigate challenges and thrive both academically and personally.

Admissions

Admissions

Admission Process: The International School of Bremen uses a four-step admissions process. Inquiry and Initial Contact: Start by filling in an inquiry form, emailing the admissions officer or calling. Personal Interview: A personal interview is conducted face-to-face or online. Experience ISB First-Hand: Visit the school for a tour, spend a day experiencing what it's like to be a student here, or stay overnight in boarding facilities. Formal Offer and Enrollment: After a successful interview and visit, a formal offer is extended; to secure a place, complete the acceptance documents and pay the fees. Admissions for Boarding Students: Selection is based on interview performance, English proficiency, and a careful assessment of needs, with boarding designed for students aged 14 and above and focused on independence, community living and academic progression. For inquiries and more information, reach ISB by email or phone.

Scholarships

ISB has a Bursary Programme to support families unable to pay full school fees, adjusted to gross family income. ISB is an independent, self-supporting educational institution registered in Germany as a non-profit association and recognized in the State of Bremen as an “anerkannte Ersatzschule.” The bursary programme applies to students in grades 1–12. Parents or guardians can file an application for a reduction of school fees by submitting a bursary application form; the family's assets and gross monthly income are considered and annual reviews apply. If the annual gross family income is below EUR 100,000, an application can be filed. Applicants must submit a registration certificate proving main residence in Germany and financial details including bank statements; discounts apply to annual fees, the registration fee and the application fee, with reductions shown in the Bursary Reduction Guidelines. All interested families can file their bursary application by email.

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