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Germany, Berlin
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The Nelson Mandela School integrates Berliner curriculum requirements with an international bilingual program, emphasising cross-curricular learning. The school follows Pestalozzi's principle of learning with head, heart and hand, and language and communication skills are developed through interpersonal and intercultural work. The curriculum includes field trips and work-experience opportunities, and the school participates in UNESCO's Associated Schools Project Network (ASP) and the European Union's COMENIUS network, linking with partner institutions worldwide.
After-school arts clubs include Orchestra, Choir, and Theater, with additional Visual Arts opportunities such as Open Art Studio and Ceramics Workshop. The English Book Club is offered on Thursdays and Fridays. Art is a curricular focus across grades, with the Visual Journal documenting learning and reflection, linking practical art with language, reflection and aesthetics.
Model United Nations (MUN) is a club with around 30 students in grades 9–12 who debate international topics in a UN-style format. The school maintains international exchanges, including direct exchanges with Colegio Andino de Bogota in Colombia and with a Spanish school in Oliva, Spain. Spanish and French are taught within the curriculum, with language links such as DELF French testing.
Participation in NMS clubs is voluntary for secondary students (years 7–13) and takes place after school on different days. Monday activities include athletics; Thursday clubs include Orchestra, Choir, Theater, MUN, Math Excellency and English Book Club; Friday includes athletics, Ceramics Workshop, Open Art Studio and Happiness & Wellbeing. The Intersectional Student Union (ISU) is student-led and operates alongside the regular clubs.
The school offers field trips and work-experience opportunities and is developing a community service programme to connect students with local and global communities. As a UNESCO Associated School and member of the European Union's COMENIUS network, the school emphasizes human rights, peace, intercultural learning, tolerance and environmental responsibility. Its network of partners abroad includes educational establishments in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, France, Haiti, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Poland and South Africa.
The School Conference governs the school under Berlin law, with a Chair (the Principal), student representatives and deputy student representatives, teacher representatives and parent representatives. The election period runs 2023–2025, and an external member participates in the conference. The Intersectional Student Union (ISU) provides additional student-led leadership opportunities.
Sport and wellbeing are supported through after-school activities. Training venues include Stadion Wilmersdorf in summer and the Leichtathletikhalle im Sportforum Hohenschönhausen in winter, with times posted by the Sports Department. The Sport Club International (SCI-NMS) supports competitions and events, including cross-country and team relays; Happiness & Wellbeing is also offered as a regular club.
Nelson Mandela School is a state-funded international bilingual school in Berlin for students aged 6–18. It blends Berliner Rahmenlehrpläne with international streams to meet Berlin regulations. Upper secondary offers bilingual Abitur or International Baccalaureate Diploma. The German and Mathematics curricula follow Berlin's framework, while the primary curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; English instruction incorporates Jolly Phonics, the Oxford Reading Tree and Oxford International Literacy. Science, History and Geography at the primary level are taught in English by staff; Art is anchored by the Visual Journal across grades. Since 2017, media literacy and digital skills are embedded across subjects with ongoing teacher training. The campus includes an on-site gym, a versatile schoolyard, and nearby facilities. Two bilingual libraries house about 100,000 books; UNESCO ASPN and ECIS affiliations reflect its ties. Tuition is not charged as it is government-funded; IB and Abitur pathways are available.
