International schools in Berlin

[tysonar1 5]

We're moving to Berlin in February from Austin, TX.  We have a 2nd grader w/ 0 German at the moment. I've been checking out many of the international schools there, but don't have a sense of why some cost say 400EUR a month and others 700 for example. It doesn't seem by the thread here that there is a consensus on the best school to go to so would appreciate any advice. We'd like to eventually buy a place near Prenzlauer Berg so was looking at Berlin Bilingual School, but it doesn't seem many people are familiar with it based on this thread, so I'm thinking it may not be considered very good?  We were also checking out JFK, but it looks like the commute out there from Prenzlauer Berg/Weissensee seems pretty tough. Any advice on sorting through this mindfield would be great.  thanks!

[tysonar1 5]

On 5/22/2017, 2:21:36, suitcaseinberlin said:

Having read though all the posts, I would love some more recent feedback on the Berlin Bilingual School. We were offered spots for our two kids (incoming 4th and 6th grade) and have to decide soon.

Our (remote) impression of the school is very good (doing all the research from the US since we won't be moving until August), although I know they just moved to a new location and still are adjusting to it.
 

We are a bit torn still between this school and just sending them to regular public school (Homer-Grundschule in Prenzlauerberg). Thinking that Berlin Bilingual will certainly be a "softer landing" for the kids and my husband who will be stay-at-home dad and barely speaks any German...on the other hand, I am worried that the kids will learn German much slower if surrounded by English-speaking children and teachers. The kids speak and understand basic German but they are certainly not up to speed in terms of reading/writing and their grammar is quite spotty. My goal for this first year is to get my older one up to speed in order to ensure an easy transition to secondary school, which might be a public German school.

I'd like to hear experiences from both sides - those that sent their kids from a similar background to a bilingual school (and to Berlin Bilingual specifically), or those that picked the regular public school.

I know there are also NMS and JFK which we applied to as well, but after not getting any sign of hope from them we have now committed to an apartment in Prenzlauer Berg which would make the commute to either of those schools seem way too strenuous.

You are welcome to send a private message as well if you prefer.

Thanks!

Hi...I know this post is a couple of years old, but wondering what you decided regarding BBS?  Are your kids still there?  I ask because we'll be moving to Berlin in February and would like to eventually buy a place in Prenzlauer Berg so BBS makes most sense if the school is decent.  If you can share your experience, I'd be grateful thanks!

[Thomas Mueller 0]

Hi, does anyone know if the JFK School in Berlin gives preference for admission to children whose parents (legal guardians) are both American citizens only over children with parents who have dual German American citizenship?

 

Their regulations say that they take children of Americans serving in an official capacity in Berlin followed by children with siblings who already attend the school and only then they mention children of Americans as category three.

 

The regulations sound like a dual citizenship holder would be treated just like Americans when it comes to their admission preference criteria but I think I've read in some forum (can't find the post anymore) that dual citizenship holders would be - despite both parents fulfilling the criteria of being Americans - put into the "German bucket" with smaller chances of getting accepted into the school.

 

Does anyone happen to know? Would be super helpful.

 

Thanks!
Thomas

[iriz 0]

Hello,

 

We will be moving to Berlin next September with our 9 year old daughter, going into 5th grade. We are an international family currently living in the US and our daughter goes to a bilingual school with an international student body.

We are interested in finding out more about BBIS and the Berlin British School. How do they compare? Is the British School as international as BBIS? Are the academics similar? How do the facilities compare?

I would also love to hear about admissions if anyone has experience with either school.

Many thanks in advance!

[TheaD 0]

Hi, I am new to this forum and read almost all threads from a couple of years ago but find sporadic answers to my questions, so I will ask them here.

We are moving to Germany from US in July/August this year. So far we have applied to Berlin Cosmopolitan School Berlin Metropolitan School and JFK. We are waitlisted for all three.

Could you tell me when do these schools usually tell you your kids got accepted? What is the earliest and what is the latest. Waiting blindly is unpractical and nerve-wracking, since we need to plan accommodation, move, etc. Also what if we don't get accepted into none of these... What other options do we have for a 4th grader and 9th grader. My husband and I are both American citizens and we speak German, but the kids have no prior knowledge of German, as well as we have a high-schooler, which limits our options.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Shenandoah 93]

What about the Nelson Mandela International school in Berlin?

 

S.

[TheaD 0]

Hi Shenandoah,

 

I read negative reviews about it, as well as we are a bit worried about the high turnover of students-ambassador kids, one year students etc. We would like the kids to build lasting friendships. We are planning to stay until the last class of the school-12th grade. I also read of the teachers not being much involved or qualified.

My biggest concern is the timeline. We can not wait until last minute to know if we are accepted. I wanted to know from anyone that has been accepted to BMS, BCS or JFK when did they learn about their admission/spot available.

 

Thanks,

Thea

[fraufruit 41,951]

Did you ask them when they would let you know? Might be a good idea to stay in touch with them.

[colincostello 180]

Do you want your kids to  study in German or English?

[colincostello 180]

What syllabuses do you want them to follow. IB? Arbitur? UK?

[emkay 10,159]

20 hours ago, TheaD said:

My biggest concern is the timeline. We can not wait until last minute to know if we are accepted. I wanted to know from anyone that has been accepted to BMS, BCS or JFK when did they learn about their admission/spot available.

 

I’m not familiar with schools in Berlin. I take it that these are international schools and that you intend both of your children to attend the same school?

 

Are you planning to stay in Germany until both children finish their German education?

 

Asking for anyone else’s previous experience isn’t necessarily helpful as much has changed over the last few years. When did you apply? I understand your concern as school acceptance influences all of your other decisions. Sorry if I misunderstood, do you have a third child too? If so, what age? You really do need to ask each school directly when you can expect their decision. 

 

I’m also not familiar with US grading. What age are your children? Age ranges per school year here can vary by up to around 2 years.

 

Do you feel that German education might be appropriate? This could be possible with a good supportive school plus, initially intensive private tuition. Going back 1-2 school years is very normal for any child. Longer lasting friendships would be far more likely. 

 

My daughter started at a German gymnasium aged 10 without any German language skills. 2-3 years of private german tuition was essential. She graduated with a very good Abitur and now studying at a German university.

 

If German education is a possibility, I’d highly recommend that your children learn as much German as possible before your move here. If your own German isn’t perfect, find a tutor who’s German is. My Gernan prior to moving here wasn't good. Best that your children don’t learn anything that needs to be corrected later. 
 

I don’t know what was involved in applying to the schools that you’ve already applied to. I can recommend however that previous teacher’s appraisals, test results and many examples of schoolwork (including art), very much helped my daughter to gain a placement. 
 

I wish you all the very best.