Bavarian International School

Hallo everybody,

I'm new in Munich and I' m looking for information about the BIS. I have a 4 years old child with no German at all. I have been searching trought the forum but I couldn't find any advise about this international school. Does someone send their children there and can tell me something?

A huge thanks

Ann

I've never heard of it myself, but here's a link to their website in case you haven't found it, or if anyone else is interested. BIS's website.

Sorry I can't offer any personal experiences!

I've tutored kids from both BIS and MIS (Munich International School). There both excellent, if you can afford it. Both are between Euro 10,000 - 15,000 per year, depending on grade level, plus substantial additional enrollment fees.

Both follow the curriculum of the International Baccalaureate Organisation based in Geneva. It is well recognized as an excellent curriculum.

Honestly, I didn't find a lot of difference between the schools. Both have beautiful campuses, first-rate teachers and relatively small class sizes. I guess the choice between the two would depend on if you lived more north (BIS) or south (MIS), although both have extensive bus services for all of Munich.

However, at 4 years old, your little one might be just fine in a German kindergarten for a few hours a day. Then he/she would be exposed to the language and will almost certainly pick it up fast. Kindergarten here is for ages 3, 4, 5. You could also consider a bi-lingual kindergarten to ease your child into German exposure. See this thread for more information: Choosing a schooling plan for your children.

Good luck!

I have a son who goes to BIS. He is 7 and is in 1st grade there. We are from the U.S. -- Texas -- and have been here since August of 2006. We will be heading back to the U.S. at the end of the school year. My son was going to a public school in Houston before we came here though he had spent a year in private school in Vancouver, Canada as well as a private Montessori Kindergarten.

I do like the IB program that both the BIS and the MIS use to teach with. There are many strengths in this teaching approach. My son's reading has excelled since his arrival though that may just be a maturation bonus. His math is strong though he has always been ahead in Math. His writing is where I am concerned. I am also a bit concerned about his transition back into a different school system than the IB Program. The IB Program does not have regular testing in reading, writing and math. They are individually assessed several times a year. My son will have some getting used to the testing that is done in the States. Other than these issues, I think the BIS is a fine school. They have wonderful groups to join up with to help people connect. I don't live near the school and don't have a car so I don't get into the school on a regular basis. That is something else that I would do differently -- either live close or have a car so I can pop in at any time to volunteer and just be at the school to have more of an idea of what goes on.

I don't know anything personally about the MIS other than a few words from different people. That school seems to be closer to American schools than the BIS but I'm not sure how. Just heresay. It's also a large school than BIS so it is more informal. I tried to contact MIS when I was coming to Munich and they never responded to my calls or emails. It was at the end of summer so likely everyone was on holiday but there should have been at least someone there to answer questions. Another reason why I ended up with BIS Instead.

Email or PM me if you have further questions.

Good luck! Janet