Top 5 international schools in Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is one of the most populated cities of the European Union. Despite this, it is considered one of the safest places you can live in.

In addition, the quality of living and education is very high. If you have moved to Berlin and wish to enroll your child in school, there are a wide variety of options.

Below I have listed the top 5 international schools in Berlin. I have also given information regarding their eligibility, fees, facilities, and so on which will help you compare them with each other.

1. Berlin Bradenburg International School

BBIS is one of the most famous international schools in Berlin. Here, students are empowered to reach their unique potential and thrive on a global stage.

BBIS offers programmes to students from over 60 countries, as well as a huge range of extracurricular activities. It also offers top-class boarding facilities for students.

BBIS is located in Kleinmachnow, which is somewhat on the outskirts of Berlin. You can find their exact address and contact details here.

Fee Structure

Though it is a world-class school, BBIS is more expensive than the average. However, as in most German schools, families can apply for school fees adjustment based on their gross household income.

For early education (3-4 years old), the annual school fee is EUR 12,500 (INR 10.6 Lakh). This increases to EUR 13,000 (INR 11 Lakh) for a 5-year old child.

In addition, there is a one-time registration fee of EUR 3000 (INR 2.5 Lakh).

Moving on to grades 1-5, the annual school fee ranges from EUR 240 (INR 20,400) to EUR 17,500 (INR 14.9 Lakh). The one-time registration fee ranges between EUR 60 (INR 5,100) to EUR 3,000 (INR 2.5 Lakh).

For grades 6-10, the annual fee ranges from EUR 240 (INR 20,400) to EUR 19,600 (INR 16.7 Lakh). The one-time registration fee remains the same as above.

For grades 11-12, the annual fee is EUR 20,200 (INR 17 Lakh), and the one-time fee is EUR 3,000 (INR 2.5 Lakh).

Miscellaneous fees such as application fee, book deposit, annual school trip, etc add up to an average of EUR 2,500 (2.1 Lakh).

If you wish to enroll your child (Grade 9-12) in the boarding facility, you will have to pay an annual fee of EUR 21,300 (INR 18.1 Lakh) in addition to the normal school fees.

You can find additional details regarding the school fees here.

Curriculum

BBIS is one of the world’s leading International Baccalaureate (IB) schools and offers three IB programmes in the Primary, Middle, and Diploma years of schooling to students from over 60 countries.

From ages 3-6, children join their early education community, which takes inspiration from Reggio Emilia.

For children aged 6-11, they join Grades 1 to 5 to pursue the IB Primary Years Programme.

Then from ages 11-19, students join BBIS secondary school to pursue the IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme.

They also offer a wide range of co-curricular activities such as music, drama, sports, and design.

Facilities

BBIS has a state-of-the-art infrastructure and has great academic and sports facilities. Here you can see what their campus has to offer.

To support all types of learning, BBIS classrooms are equipped with Apple TVs, projectors and TVs, desktop computers, and laptop trolleys.

Eligibility and Admissions Procedure

Only students between the ages of 3 and 18 can enroll in BBIS. The medium of instruction is English, so it is not a requirement to know German before enrolling.

Students may be tested and screened depending on age and language proficiency. This may include testing in Maths, German, and English (to assess the requirements for EAL support).

You can apply for BBIS using their online application system, and all the details are given on this page. While submitting your application, you will have to pay a non-refundable fee of EUR 100 (INR 8,500).

After submitting the application form, you will be updated on your application status via the online application portal.

2. Berlin British School

The Berlin British School is an independent private school that has the official status of an authorised Ersatzschule by the Berlin Senat. They are also a CIS accredited school.

BBS is again one of the best international schools in Berlin. Students from here have been accepted into some of the top universities in Germany, the UK, the USA, and the rest of the world.

This school has three separate campuses, one each for early years, primary school, and secondary school. Given here are the address and contact details of each one.

Fee Structure

The basic registration fee for all students is EUR 2,750 (INR 2.3 Lakh). However, the registration fee for a student’s sibling is at a concessional rate of EUR 550 (INR 46,750).

For a very young child, the annual tuition fees are as follows:

Early Years	EUR
Toddler-Half Day	6,090
Toddler-Whole Day	10,160
K1	11,030
K2 and K3	13,590

From grades 1-5 (primary school), the tuition fees are EUR 13,590 (INR 11.5 Lakh), the same as K2 and K3. For secondary school, the annual tuition fees are as follows:

Secondary School	EUR
Grades 6-8	14,350
Grades 9-10	15,050
Grades 11-12	15,880

The above tuition fees include the cost of exercise books, writing implements, subject material, textbooks, and transport between sites and to sporting facilities.

All students are charged a 2% development fee on the full year´s tuition. This development fee is used for infrastructure projects such as investments in buildings.

Curriculum

BBS offers the Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA); i.e. German intermediate school-leaving qualification.

In addition, they offer an International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGSCE) at the end of Grade 10, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) at the end of Grade 12.

German is a compulsory language studied by all students. They also get to study either French or Spanish from Grade 6 onwards. 

Facilities

BBS offers small class sizes to support personalised learning, highly engaging teaching and learning, and highly qualified teaching staff with English and German as the languages of instruction

They also have an international student community, great academic standards, and appropriate facilities for each year group.

In addition, they offer extensive extracurricular activities such as regular musical performances, sports competitions, and so on.

Eligibility

Students from any country are welcome to apply to BBS. The language of instruction in BBS is English and/or German.

Students joining the Monolingual English stream (Ergänzungsschule)  in Grades 1-10 must successfully obtain a “Schulpflichtbefreiung” which exempts them from compulsory education at a German school. 

Students joining the Bilingual stream (Ersatzschule) are unaffected by this process and do not need any further authorisation. 

Admissions Procedure

The first step in their admission process is to fill out the form on their Admissions page.

BBS then asks prospective students to join for a three-day visit. This visit allows students to get to know the school, and for the school to assess suitability both socially and academically.

During the three-day visit, teachers make informal assessments about the student. Each student spends time with the BBS Learning Support team who assesses their English and Maths abilities.

3. Berlin Bilingual School

The Berlin Bilingual School is a renowned international school in Germany. They provide a challenging bilingual curriculum for children whose families have settled in Berlin.

Berlin Bilingual School offers high-quality education for children in multi-lingual families. Also, their fees are more affordable in comparison to BBIS and BBS mentioned before.

Here are the location details of the Berlin Bilingual School campuses. In addition, to know more about the facilities offered, you can go on a virtual tour of the primary and secondary school.

Fee Structure

As in many other German schools, the annual school fee depends upon a family’s annual income. In addition, there are also sibling discounts.

For primary school students (grades 1-6), the annual school fees range from EUR 100 (INR 8,500) to a maximum of EUR 300 (INR 25,500) per month. Given here is the school fee table.

Berlin Bilingual School also charges a deposit of EUR 1,000 (INR 85,000), which is refunded at the end of the contract period. For low-income families, a reduction of the deposit is possible.

For secondary school students, annual tuition fees range between EUR 100 (INR 8,500) and a maximum of EUR 513 (INR 43,605) per month. Here is the school fee table.

Charged separately are the fees for school trips, teaching materials, parent work, etc.

Curriculum

The Berlin Bilingual Primary School curriculum takes its framework from the Berlin State Curriculum (Berliner Rahmenlehrplan) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). 

In primary school, all students take English, German, mathematics, social studies/science, music, physical education, and art. You can find detailed information here and here.

In secondary school, students can achieve their GCE ordinary level (MSA +) after year 10 and IGCSE in science in English language in year 1 (optional). After that, they can get the German Abitur after year 12 or 13.

Above all, the Berlin Bilingual secondary school focuses more on humanistic subjects. Also, you can find further information here and here.

Eligibility and Admissions Procedure

As it is a bilingual school, students must be able to follow a school program taught in both languages. So, your child should be able to speak and write in both English and German.

If you wish to enrol your child, the first step is to fill out the Admissions form online. Given here is the full information regarding the Admissions Procedure for all grades.

4. Berlin Metropolitan School

Berlin Metropolitan School is one of the oldest international schools in Berlin. Students from nearly 70 countries are enrolled at BMS and are taught using the best international and national curriculum programs.

BMS offers students a wide selection of subject choices as well as national and international school-leaving diplomas in Grades 10 and 12.

This school is located in central Berlin, close to the suburb of Mitte. Here are the exact location details. For enquiry details, their contact number is +49 30 8872 739 0.

Fee Structure

Again, BMS offers income-based tuition fees. Furthermore, there are generous sibling discounts available.

Firstly, for grades 1-6, the monthly tuition fees range from EUR 207 (INR 17,595) to a maximum of EUR 774 (INR 65,790). For grades 7-10, this maximum range increases to EUR 1,142 (INR 97,070) per month.

Finally, for grades 11 and 12, the monthly tuition fees range again from EUR 207 (INR 17,595) to EUR 1,199 (INR 1 Lakh).

Given here are the full details of the tuition structure.

Curriculum

The educational policy of BMS focuses on international-mindedness, global engagement, learning based on the IB principles, and character building.

First, here you will find the curriculum for early learners (pre-schoolers). Then, the curriculum for primary school children is here. Finally, the curriculum for secondary school is given here.

Facilities

The Co-Curricula Educational Program (CCEP) at Berlin Metropolitan School provides students in Grades 1-6 with opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

For secondary school, BMS Club includes a wide variety of selections: arts, academics, film, choir, as well as sport, which are featured each school year. The full list of club activities can be found here.

Their after school program features partnerships with local clubs and institutions, providing both onsite and offsite opportunities for students to pursue activities based on their interests

Eligibility and Admissions Procedure

Your child will need a good grasp of English, as it is the main language of instruction at BMS. It is also good to have knowledge of the German language.

However, if students need support with English and/or German, their language support teams prepare students to meet the level required to participate in mainstream instruction.

Here you can find the full admission procedure. For additional questions, you can write to [email protected].

5. Platanus School Berlin

Platanus Schule Berlin is a bilingual international school based in Berlin-Pankow. They have two Kindergarten campuses and a primary and secondary school which focus on mathematics and natural sciences.

From Kindergarten till grade 10, students can learn in a calm environment, test themselves, develop their talents, deepen their interests, learn about cultural diversity and internalise languages.

Platanus Schule does not yet have classes past grade 10, but they plan to start with grade 11 in the school year 2024/25.

On this page, you will find the location of the different campuses given. Furthermore, you can contact them by calling this number +49 30 49 00 48 80 or by writing to [email protected].

Fee Structure

For Kindergarten, the monthly fees come to about EUR 50 (INR 4,250). In addition, the Berlin Senate charges 23.00 EUR per month for the children’s lunch, and this contribution is obligatory for all families.

For primary and secondary school, the tuition fees are again based on income. The fees range from EUR 100 (INR 8,500) to EUR 495 (INR 42,075) per month The full information regarding payments is given here.

Curriculum

For Kindergarten children, Platanus follows the Learning, Educational and Child Care Program for children in daycare facilities. This program includes the seven areas of learning which are described here.

Next, for primary and secondary school, their main goal is to inspire students through mathematics and science and to develop their confidence within these areas without creating aversion towards these subjects. 

The fundamental idea of Platanus Schule Berlin is that all students learn together, after which each child receives a school leaving qualification corresponding to their abilities.

Facilities

Platanus Schule has bright rooms, small classes with a maximum capacity of 24 students, modern facilities, and a dedicated team, and they strive to create a pleasant, creative learning environment for students.

You can take a 360° panorama tour of a few selected rooms here.

Eligibility and Admissions Procedure

Platanus accepts children who speak either German or English at a native level. A good grasp of the other language is desirable but not required.

As it is a bilingual school, the medium of instruction is German as well as English. To ensure the successful learning of each language, they use the immersion method of teaching.

Here are the details and FAQs about the admission process. To start enrolling your child, you will have to fill out this registration form.

I hope this post helps you get the best education in Germany for your child. Good luck!