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Germany, Salem
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
Path to Salem in three steps:
1. Submit a written application.
2. The admissions process includes a personal interview with the applicant and a campus visit for the parent and child, including a tour of the castle grounds, classrooms and dormitory buildings; an alternative is a digital meeting and virtual tour.
3. Complete a placement test. Prerequisites for admission: for Abitur at Salem, German language proficiency (written and spoken) is required to participate in Gymnasium-level instruction. For students enrolling in international classes and the IB Diploma Programme, fluency in English (written and spoken) is required, and an assessment test across subjects is used. Admission is possible at the start of each school year for entry into grades 5–11; admission to grade 12 or mid‑year entry is not advisable but may be possible in individual cases. Online information events: 45‑minute online information sessions on various topics are available; register to attend.
Schule Schloss Salem has a scholarship programme to enable talented students to attend regardless of income. The scholarship fund is around 3.2 million euros and currently supports about 20 percent of students. The programme is funded mainly by the Kurt Hahn Foundation and the school; Wolfgang Dürr Foundation and Beck'sche Foundation Berlin also contribute, with additional support from private donors and the Dornier Foundation.
Schule Schloss Salem offers a distinctive educational experience on the historic grounds of a former Cistercian monastery near Lake Constance. For over a century, the boarding school has focused on character building and responsibility alongside classroom learning. Students choose between the German Abitur and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. A defining feature of the school is its compulsory "Dienste" (Services) program. Instead of standard afternoon clubs, upper-level students actively participate in real-world community services, such as the local volunteer fire brigade, the Technical Relief Agency (THW), or the Nautical Service, which includes water rescue training on the lake. The campus provides unique facilities, including a school-owned harbor, artisan workshops for carpentry and mechanics, and dedicated spaces for outdoor education. By living in small "Mentorate" (boarding groups), young people develop independence and learn to support their peers in a deeply engaged, active learning environment.
