Bonn International School

Bonn International School(BIS) is an international school located in Bonn, Germany. It was established on the old campus of Bonn American High School in 1997 through the merger of the former American Elementary and High Schools and the British High School. Built along the Rhine River, it follows the academically rigorous curriculum of the International Baccalaureate. BIS an English-speaking International Baccalaureate school delivering the three comprehensive programmes of this internationally-renown organization. Students span the ages of three years to 19, all of whom follow the IB International Baccalaureate Learner Profile and aspire to develop into well-rounded global citizens.

Accreditation guarantees that the education at BIS is evaluated by external auditors and meets high international standards. IB evaluators visit BIS every 5 years to ensure the ongoing quality of curricular programmes. BIS is also independently accredited by the Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The academic programmes of the International Baccalaureate Organization provide a continuum from Early Learning through to Grade 12. The school has fully authorized International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and IB Diploma Programmes in place. The school has regular accreditation visits from these organizations to ensure quality of programs.

Classes are small. The teaching staff come from over 20 nations, are fully qualified in their subjects and mother tongue speakers. Students represent over 70 nationalities, with the largest nation represented being just 20%.

A wide range of extracurricular activities open to students at all grade levels compliment the curriculum. These include technology, theatre, music, sport and languages. Specialist school counselors are available to students through times of transition, for education on life matters and simply to talk to. Furthermore, a carefully considered Learning Support programme offers students additional assistance when necessary.

As not just a school but a hub for internationally mobile families, BIS values contributions from the parent body and firmly believes in the partnership of students, faculty and parents. Many programmes, activities and school events are open to all community members.

Early Learning (Kindergarten, Nursery, Pre-school)

Early Learning (EL) provides a challenging, stimulating and engaging environment for young children. The programme balances learning through play and directed teacher guidance. 3 and 4 year old students learn together in a mixed age setting. Each child is assigned to a specific (fully qualified) teacher. A teaching assistant supports each group.Based on their learning needs, interests and developmental levels, children work and play in different groups throughout the day. Students are introduced to literacy, mathematics and phonics.

EL5, for children who have turned 5 years old, is specifically designed to help children transition smoothly to a school setting. It maintains the fun and play that helps children learn, while gradually extending their ability to concentrate and participate in organized activities. The time spent in instruction sessions increases throughout the school year so that EL5 students leave Early Learning ready to thrive in Primary School.

Primary School

In Grades 1 – 5, learning within individual subject areas like Language and Mathematics is enriched by work in ‘Units of Inquiry’ which connect content around significant global themes. Students build their language skills in reading and writing through a workshop model. This model involves focused direct teaching around key learning points and independent work. Independent work gives students substantial time to progressively develop as expert readers and writers.

The Mathematics Programme develops the strategies, knowledge and understanding needed for students to be successful in their future education. Students explore six different ‘Units of Inquiry’ each year, each lasting approximately six weeks. These units connect and solidify skills and knowledge gained in all subject areas. Each unit is based around a significant central idea, so that children learn to apply their abilities to important global issues.

Single subject teachers provide specialized learning in Music, Visual Arts, German and Physical Education. They work with homeroom teachers to link learning within each unit. iPads are used throughout the Primary School to extend this classroom learning.

In Grades 1 – 5, there is a maximum of 22 students per class with a healthy student-teacher ratio of 9:1. Learning is supported by full-time teaching assistants in Grade 1 and part-time teaching assistants from Grade 2.

Secondary School - Middle Years

During these formative five years, students follow a curriculum framework known as the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The curriculum is broad and balanced. It gives students a strong foundation for the final two years of study leading to the next phase of their education.

The MYP organizes teaching and learning into eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Physical and Health Education, Design and Arts. In some cases, discrete disciplines may be taught and integrated within a subject group: for example, History and Geography within the Individuals and Societies subject group.

MYP students choose one from a variety of option subjects to pursue their interests and broaden their knowledge in specialised areas of the curriculum.

Students may also elect to study their Mother Tongue Language as a full MYP subject. All MYP students participate in community service as a compliment to academic achievement and to foster positive engagement outside of the classroom.

Throughout the five years of the MYP, students will experience a range of assessment types, including essays, tests, presentations and the final eAssessment in Grade 10. Assessments are criteria-based, as mandated by the IB.

An internationally-recognized MYP Certificate may be issued by the IB and earned by Grade 10 students who successfully complete eAssessment. This is the IB equivalent of the GCSE in the British system or Mittlere Reife in the German system. All requirements for the Mittlere Reife can be met through the MYP curriculum without additional coursework. BIS is one of only a handful of schools in Germany whose students may have the MYP recognized by school authorities as equivalent to the Mittlere Reife.

Secondary School - Diploma Years

The Diploma years at Bonn International School are key to positioning students for university and defining possible career paths. Students at BIS benefit from significant counseling support and from following the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), a qualification for higher learning sought after by leading universities around the world. The IB Diploma is a demanding two-year curriculum that meets the needs of inquisitive, highly motivated and mobile students.

The DP is based on the six subject groups of Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Sciences, Mathematics, Individuals and Societies, as well as the Arts. DP students submit an extended essay, a research paper to prepare them for university-level writing. They also complete a Theory of Knowledge course, a unique critical thinking course which explores the nature of knowledge in different subject areas. Additionally, DP students fulfill Community, Activity and Service requirements.

Students receive an IB Diploma only after participating in both years of the programme and passing demanding examinations evaluated by independent, external examiners. When students have a defined educational path in mind, they may alternatively choose to complete International Baccalaureate Certificate courses. Students following this path have greater flexibility about the combination of subjects and levels they choose. These students participate in the same classes as students completing the IB Diploma. However, IB Certificate students are not required to study Theory of Knowledge, or to complete the extended essay.

BIS awards a High School Diploma to all students who successfully complete and gain 24 credits from Grades 9 to 12. The BIS High School Diploma is the equivalent to high school diplomas awarded in North America and recognized for application to universities. Passes in individual subjects, particularly at higher level, are treated with respect by many institutions of further education, particularly in North America, for purposes of placement and credit.