Berlin, Germany: Berlin Brandenburg International School: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The Berlin Brandenburg International School (BBIS) is an English language, coeducational, inclusive, day and boarding school serving the internationally minded community of Germany’s capital region and beyond. Every year we welcome approximately 820 day students and 80 boarding students from over 60 countries. Our students spend their days developing invaluable, life-long skills like critical thinking, languages and intercultural competencies across our early education, primary and secondary school sections.

Organization: BBIS is a limited liability, nonprofit entity governed by a supervisory board of five members, two of whom are required to be school parents.

Curriculum: The curriculum is compatible with that in U.S. public and private schools.  An International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, BBIS is fully authorized by the IB organization to teach the IB Primary Years Program, the IB Middle Years Program and the IB Diploma Program, covering the three to 19 age range. In all of these programs, we encourage students to be courageous and explore new opportunities, fostering a pioneering spirit that will help them succeed, no matter what the future holds. BBIS is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a full member of the European Council of International Schools and the Association of German International Schools. Our classes are small – usually with fewer than 20 students – so that everyone receives individual attention and support. Beyond the classroom, collaboration and cooperation between staff, students, parents and the wider community is very important to us.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year BBIS has 200 total staff including 135 teachers, 40 of whom are U.S. citizens, 40 host-country nationals, and 55 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent more than twenty countries, including UK, Spain, France, Canada, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, and others.  All teaching faculty require a teaching qualification in the age group and subject areas that they teach, according to Brandenburg State regulations. Many of our teachers have master’s degrees.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, 900 students were enrolled at the school (early education to grade 12). Of the total 125 were Americans, 275 were Germans, and 500 were third-country nationals. More than 60 Nationalities represented in our student body.

Facilities: The school is located in Kleinmachnow, in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district of Brandenburg, and is well connected by school buses and public transport. Our spacious and peaceful 360,000 sqm campus is the ideal setting for growth and discovery. Spread across five spacious, red brick buildings, our classrooms are modern, comfortable and well-equipped to cater for a broad range of learning needs. The BBIS campus includes: large classrooms in both the primary and secondary schools, modern science labs, fully networked computer labs, art studios, music classrooms and practice rooms, a multi-purpose room, a performance and exhibition space, a study room for students in grades 11 and 12, faculty and student lounges, a purpose-built design/technology area and dedicated libraries for our primary and secondary school students. Our sports facilities include: a full-size artificial-turf field featuring a six-lane running track, a sand court for beach volleyball, basketball courts, plus facilities for high and long jump, discus and shot put. With floodlights and bleachers that can hold 820 spectators, we proudly host larger tournaments with other schools, too. The BBIS Sports Hall includes three separate gymnasiums, audience seating, and a fitness room. Our multipurpose sports hall can be combined into one large space for basketball, volleyball, handball, indoor soccer and tennis. There’s a climbing wall, rings, climbing ropes, wall bars and other professional-quality sports equipment, too. Beyond sport and fitness, the hall can also be used as an auditorium, theatre and concert hall. There are plenty of playgrounds and recreational areas around the campus, giving students healthy, active options during their breaks from the classroom. BBIS Boarding is directly located on the school campus and is the home away from home for German and international students from grades 9 to 12. Around-the-clock security, and a strong child-protection policy, makes BBIS a safe and supportive environment for our students.

Finances: During the 2023-2024 school year, the school’s income is derived from regular day and boarding school tuition. Annual school tuition rates range from €13,500 to €22,150. The annual boarding fees amount to €23,200. The school also charges a one-time only registration fee of €3,000 for both school and boarding. The fees must be paid in local currency. (All fees quoted in euros.)

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are accurate as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.