5 best private schools in Berlin 2024

Advanced and prestigious secondary private schools in Berlin, Germany, colleges/gymnasiums are among the most rated and popular in Europe: high standards of education are observed here, so graduates can apply for a place in a top university and subsequently build a successful international career.

It is especially valuable that in private gymnasiums and secondary schools in Berlin, as a rule, not only German, but also English is studied. English is very common not only in the country, but also abroad, so a good level of language knowledge will help in future working period of life:

A graduate become more in demand on the international labor market;

Become a more valuable and qualified specialist.

The education system in the top private schools in Berlin is clearly structured and step–by-step, international students master all compulsory disciplines gradually, constantly deepening and updating their knowledge of the subject. Successful completion of the school program will help foreign students get a diploma and certificate (secondary education, pre-university programs, language courses, etc.), which are highly appreciated by university admissions committees and increase the chances of successful admission.

Most international students are accepted from the age of 14 - after the 8th, 9th grade due to a special law with the regions of the country. But there are also a number of prestigious and proven schools that accept from the age of 10 and from the age of 12, but in the best private schools with german language of educational instractions. By the way, after the 11th grade, international children can study under the Studienkolleg program and enroll in a German state university in a year.

Berlin is a popular educational center that has concentrated best universities, research centers, colleges, and language schools in Europe. As the largest research and industrial center, Berlin attracts top scientific and technical specialists, opens up wide opportunities for internships and subsequent employment.

Give yourself or your child the opportunity to study at the best private school in Berlin.  SMAPSE has gathered a number of accredited prestigious colleges and schools for foreign children and schoolchildren. You or your parents can read information about institutions, their types, reviews by clicking on the photo or name. Detailed information about the price and description, features of the educational programs is available by clicking on the program itself.

Enrollment and admission services through our company to private partner institutions in Germany are provided free of charge. We are not intermediaries.

Foreign students looking to join a private school in Berlin need to prepare a comprehensive set of documents, along with demonstrating specific language and academic competencies.

Essential Documents for Admission:

• A copy of the student's foreign passport.

• School report cards from the last two academic years, including the latest quarter/trimester grades.

• Up-to-date language proficiency certificates.

• Letters of recommendation, preferably from English and mathematics teachers, and sometimes from the headmaster.

• A motivation letter, if required.

• Completed registration and school forms.

An interview, which can be conducted in person or via Skype.

• Additionally, prospective students must pass internal tests in mathematics and English to assess their readiness for the school's academic environment.

Support for Enrollment

As official representatives of many German private schools, we offer complimentary assistance in selecting and organizing admissions for students and clients to their desired schools.

Jamie Perfect

Director of the International School of Bremen

What expenses should be planned for the year, in addition to paying for accommodation and study?

These can include field trips, individual music lessons and external sport club membership.

Pursuing education in Germany offers several key advantages:

• International Career Prospects: A German diploma is highly valued worldwide, making graduates attractive candidates in the global job market.

• Pathway to Permanent Residence: For foreign students, studying in Germany can be the first step towards acquiring residency in the Eurozone.

• Practical Focus: German education emphasizes practical skills, allowing graduates to start their professional careers without needing internships abroad.

• Studying in Germany opens up many prospects and has the following advantages:
• The prospect of an international career: the national diploma is quoted all over the world. Graduates of German universities are competent specialists in demand on the world labor market;
• Possible permanent residence in the Eurozone: for foreign students, studying in Germany means the beginning of the path to obtaining resident status;
• Practical orientation: graduates can start performing official duties without prior internship abroad.

Study Programs for Private Schools in Berlin

Education in Germany is accessible to children and students from a young age. The German educational system is segmented into primary, secondary, and higher professional levels. Private schools welcome foreign children aged 6 to 16, with opportunities to enroll after the 9th grade.

Primary Education

Lasting four years, primary education in Germany lays the foundation of basic knowledge without subject-specific class divisions.

Secondary Education

Post-primary education offers several paths, depending on a student's abilities and interests:

• Mittelschule/Hauptschule/Gesamtschule: These offer a basic set of subjects, corresponding to incomplete secondary education.

• Realschule/Oberschule/Sekundarschule/Fachoberschule: These are vocational schools focusing on specific areas like mathematics, economics, foreign languages, or art.

• Gymnasium: This is an 8-year program with high academic standards. Admission often requires good grades, a recommendation letter, or an entrance exam. Successful completion grants the Abitur certificate, qualifying students for college or university.

The cost of attending the finest private schools in Berlin, which offer boarding and full-board facilities, ranges from 24,000 to 40,000 euros annually. This investment in education provides students with a high-quality learning experience and comprehensive care.

Overall, secondary education in Germany spans 13 years, and international students can join at any level, except the final year. Each state in Germany has its own educational regulations, leading to some local variations in teaching methods and subjects.