Berlin Brandenburg International School

• Location: Germany, Brandenburg, southwest Berlin
• Age of students: 3 - 19 years old 
• Educational programs: International Baccalaureate
• Foundation year: 1990
• Type of studying: mixed
• Accommodation: boarding house, from 14 years old
• Tuition fees: from 11,000 euros per term on full board basis
• Ranking: an authoritative international school with a very high average score for exams of the IB program - 32.4
• Start of studies: September, January.

Berlin Brandenburg International School is a unique German school. The main purpose of its leadership determines the inspiration of students to continue studying throughout life. BBIS is considered to be an international educational institution. An intercultural environment is formed here, atmosphere of friendliness and mutual understanding between foreign students, teachers and students is created there.

The school is distinguished by flexibility of curricula, schedule is tailored to students' needs in academic work and leisure. Each student has an opportunity to develop intellectually, participate in public life of the educational institution, and disclose creative potential. Also, in the school all conditions for sports are created. Physical development is also given a lot of attention. 

In all departments, highly qualified English teachers provide both one-to-one instruction and classroom support through the English as an Additional Language (EAL) program.

Students are assessed on admission to BBIS and at key points throughout the year to determine their level of English proficiency. These qualification tests, placement tests, and teacher assessments help determine if a student should join the EAL program. 

• The primary school offers EAL specialised training and support for pupils who are just starting to develop their language skills. If the child's level of English is from beginner to intermediate, they will be taught English in a small group with an EAL teacher. Enrichment classes are designed to help students develop literacy skills while building an understanding of the curriculum. EAL professionals work closely with classroom teachers to develop differentiated instruction and support to help pupils access the core curriculum and accelerate their learning. 
• In secondary school, students in need of EAL support can join small groups and continue their English exploration at the level they have. Students study similar literature, cover the same topics, and focus on most of the same global contexts as their peers in language and literature courses, while continuing to develop their speaking skills, listening, reading and writing.

Students can also receive support in the humanities and sciences, including in labs.

BBIS has several academic departments, each of which specializes in the education of students of a specific age: early education, elementary, middle and high school.

Full-board accommodation is offered to students of 14 years and older. Residential fund of the school allows to comfortably accommodate up to 120 students in the residence. Students live in 1-2-bed rooms with private facilities. In general, there is a fitness room, 2 kitchens, a laundry room, a lounge, an inner courtyard. In the residence there are comprehensive three meals a day. The menu consist of German cuisine.

Subject list: Art, computer techologies, music, physical education

Students living in the residence are provided with a wider range of leisure opportunities: they take part in many different activities, thematic club activities and outdoor events on weekdays and weekends. Among the events awaiting them:

• Thai Cooking School,
• Going to the movies,
• Bundesliga Football Trip,
• Poker Club,
• Chess tournament,
• Berlin Botanical Garden with Christmas Market,
• Escape rooms,
• Karting
• Paintball.

Boarding students take part in off-campus activities, play sports at local clubs and teams, and spend their free time exploring the area. Teachers regularly organize excursions to local attractions, and twice a year they go with students on evening trips to Rügen, Hamburg and Dresden. 

The school's athletics program consists of competitive and recreational sports offered over three seasons. To ensure variety, each sport is offered once a year.  Students in grades 6-12 participate in GISST tournaments in football, basketball, cross country, swimming, track and field, tennis, badminton and volleyball at various locations in Germany.

Art and design play an important role in the development of students – BBIS provides the best conditions for creativity! Educators provide training and practice in the use of materials, techniques, tools, skills, and concepts to not only develop the ability to create, discuss, and appreciate works of art, but also to develop self-confidence. The visual arts program is cyclical, with skills and concepts being implemented and revised over the years. Teachers offer many learning opportunities outside of the classroom as well, so that students can connect with the thriving local culture and arts in Berlin and Potsdam. 

Music classes are included in the academic program, but they also have leisure activities: BBIS students can devote their free time to playing musical instruments, singing in a choir, and dramatic art.

The ECA program, which offers a wide range of activities, is aimed at the all-round development of pupils. Children can choose the themed clubs they would like to participate in – the activities change every year:

• Pottery and sculpture,
• Dancing
• Robotics
• Karate
• Duke of Edinburgh International Award,
• Creative Writing Club,
• Model United Nations,
• University Discussion Society,
• Horticulture
• Math Club,
• Badminton
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Instrumental program.

• The Berlin Brandenburg International School is one of the few educational institutions in modern Germany where students have an opportunity to study in English and become immersed in the German cultural environment.
• The campus occupies a large territory in the picturesque village of Kleinmachnow between Potsdam and Berlin. The school provides its students with a full range of academic and sports opportunities.
• Academic programs are highly effective. More than 90% of the students in the school take examinations in compulsory subjects for A* -B grades. Graduates of the school enter leading universities in Germany and the world.
• The IBIS course in BBIS is combined. Students are given an opportunity to study under the program with specialization in business and sports, business and tourism.
• The school practices an individual approach to students. Classes are held in small groups with a capacity of up to 18 people, allowing teachers to devote necessary amount of attention to each student.

The campus includes 4 buildings, a gym, a sports ground with 6 running tracks, a football field, several playing fields, a stadium for 820 seats, an arbor. The educational infrastructure of the school is represented by spacious classrooms, a computer classroom, a library, laboratories, an assembly hall, an exhibition hall. Technical equipment is presented by interactive equipment, modern computers, Wi-Fi and W-LAN, tools to support the work of technology and design studios.

Additional fees:

• Registration fees 3,000 euros;
• Deposit 2000 euros.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 EUR
• Application fee 2000 EUR
• Deposit for a course/programme 3000 EUR

Step-by-step admission to BBIS:

• Submission of the required documents, filling out the registration form,
• Payment of the registration fee, the fee for booking a place in the boarding house,
• Completed applications are processed by the Admissions Committee – applicants will now receive updated information on the status of their application through an online portal,
• Students are tested and screened based on age and language proficiency. Entrance tests may include tests in mathematics, German and English to assess the requirements for EAL support,
• If the application is approved, the Admissions Office will send a letter of acceptance, a contract with the school, an invoice for registration and, if necessary, a residence contract. In order to confirm the reservation of a place for a child, you must sign these contracts and pay the registration fee within three weeks of receipt,
• Once a child is enrolled, staff recommend making an appointment and visiting campus prior to enrollment to discuss the student's transfer and the program offered.

Admission of new students is based on the sequence of submitted applications and on the basis of complete packages of required documents, the results of entrance exams. In some cases, candidates are given a probationary period during which the student attends the school, and teachers and staff assess their eligibility for certain criteria.

BBIS high school students regularly receive high scores in their final exams, a diploma from an internationally recognized program that paves the way for them to many top universities around the world. In recent years, graduates have entered such higher schools as:

• Tulane University,
• University of Alabama,
• Lynn University,
• Duke University,
• Princeton University,
• Emerson College,
• McGill University,
• Portland State University,
• Stanford University,
• University of Exeter,
• Bocconi University,
• University of Cambridge,
• Queen Mary University of London,
• Yonsei University,
• University of Sidney.

Prospective students need to meet entry criteria based on their age and grade of admission. So, there are fewer requirements for young students who want to study in a preparatory/primary school: personal documents of the child and parents, a visa or residence permit, certificates from a speech therapist, psychologist or other specialists, if any, will be required. Applicants applying to middle and high school should provide:

• Personal documents: passport, visa or residence permit, health insurance,
• Academic reports for the last two academic years, scorecards, exam results, if any,
• Results of the English language proficiency test. A high level of skills is not necessary for admission, as the school organizes support,
• Individual achievements, subject to availability.

All documents must be translated into English or German and certified.

The institution does not provide scholarships, but implements a program to support low-income families.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision