The wall came down and international schools sprang up - or at least began to. However, it was only with the arrival of capital status in 1999, and the attendant influx of expats, that educational establishments teaching in English were encouraged to open their doors.
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Education in Berlin
Without the increased interest by local German families willing to pay for an IB Diploma (so that their offspring can attend foreign universities and escape the long German degree courses), the private international schools would be on shakier foundations. Some expat parents believe that the resulting large numbers of local pupils dilute the ‘international school’ experience, but others argue it makes it far easier to integrate and get to know local families.
The private international sector is not the only option for expats. One of the best-kept secrets in Berlin is the quality of state-run bilingual schools, which are free. The existence of these schools is often cited as a reason why it has been hard for international schools to thrive in Berlin. Some say they have a different clientele, less diverse than their independent counterparts - usually half the pupils are local, the rest international.
There are also bilingual ‘Europe Schools.’ These are state schools set up by the Berlin authorities (they all have a Europe School logo, whatever the language combination). They are not to be confused with European (none in Berlin) schools run by the EU commission and which offer ‘European Bac’ as a qualification.
Overall, Berlin’s schools are down-to-earth. Neither students from private international schools nor these state schools wear school uniform and it can be hard to distinguish between the pupils. And unlike in many other cities, even very affluent families use the state-run schools, with students happily mixing across a wide social range.
Choosing a school in Berlin
Expats have mixed views on the international schools in Berlin. Some (particularly those posted to Berlin after a stint in Asia or London) say they lack the buzz and the intellectual excitement of counterparts elsewhere. However, others (particularly academics, including visiting professors to Germany’s Max Planck institutes and universities) praise the standard of teaching as ‘solid’.
State-run bilingual schools employ German teachers alongside international staff (usually half the pupils are local), and they run varied, hybrid (well-considered against good international schools) curricula, at least until pupils begin to prepare for specific school-leaving examinations.
Originally the bilingual Europe Schools were based at former military schools for British, American, French and Russian personnel and converted to state bilingual schools. But the German-English, German-French and German-Russian primaries have been so successful that the model has expanded to include Italian, Greek, Turkish, Polish, Spanish and Portuguese. All are bilingual primaries with classes of 50 per cent German and 50 per cent of the other nationalities.
While Europe primaries take pupils aged 5-12, Europe secondaries are for pupils age 12-19. However, it is the German-English primaries that are the most sought after by international families - they’re a good option for those hoping for their children to become bilingual (easier than many expect, particularly since several subjects are taught in English).
There are long waiting lists, particularly for the youngest age groups, as places are allocated by lottery for German pupils. British and American families have priority for admission, then other English speakers (Canadian, Australian etc), followed by English speakers from the Indian sub-continent and Africa (a bonus being if one parent is German). Siblings of existing pupils also get priority and at the youngest grade levels are tending to take up large numbers of places.
The Berlin government has been expanding the two German-English Europe primaries and is trying to accommodate as many English speakers as possible, so if waiting lists build up, new classes open up at pre-school level (5 year-olds). Departures among international families open up places in the higher grades, particularly in year 4 and above.
You can only apply to a Europe school once you are officially resident in Berlin. Unlike the private international schools they will not promise a place before you relocate.
Best schools in Berlin
Berlin Brandenberg International School 
PYP/ Reggio Emilia/ MYP/ IB Diploma / IB Careers / American High School Diploma; ages 3-19; co-ed; day and boarding (years 9-12); independent; private non-profit; 725 students
In Kleinmachnow, a popular expat area on the southern side of the city between Berlin and Potsdam, on an enormous rural campus. The all-through IB curriculum including the career related programme (BBIS was the first school to be authorised to teach all four) is taught in English and there is a huge range of extra-curricular activities from Belly Dancing to Chinese Calligraphy. 65 truly global boarders.
Click here to read our full review of the Berlin Brandenburg International School.
The Berlin British School
PYP/ adapted curriculum/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 480 students
Established in 1994 by local British businessmen on the site of the former British Military School, in Charlottenburg, a residential area popular with anglophiles. A greater international mix than at most Berlin schools but not selective at year 7 entry, only asking that students have sufficient English to access the curriculum. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and an Accredited Member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).
Click here to read our full review of The Berlin British School.
Berlin International School
Berlin Rahmenlehrplan (MSA)/ PYP/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 6-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 820 students
Students from more than 60 countries study on a campus in Dahlem, in south-western Berlin. Re-accredited by the Council of International Schools in 2018, BIS charges lower fees than at comparable international schools, as it has a partial government subsidy. Run by the private Kant foundation with a strong reputation for running academic local schools. The International Baccalaureate Diploma average in the latest published results was the highest in the school’s history.
Click here for our full review of Berlin International School
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Berlin Bilingual School
Berlin State curriculum/ International Primary Curriculum/ I/GCSE/ Bilingual Abitur; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 420 students
Bilingual English/German school opened in 2007. The largest nationality in the school is German (around 30 per cent) but there are also students from 70 other nationalities. Qualifications are the Mittlerer Schulabschuss at sixteen and the option of graduating with a Bilingual Abitur.
Berlin Cosmopolitan School
PYP/ German curriculum/ IB Diploma/ Bilingual Abitur; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 770 students
Founded as an international pre-school in 2004. Now an all-through school. In a listed brick building with modern additions, located in central Berlin, that was bought by a business sponsor. Classes are mainly taught in English but some in German. Almost all graduates going on to university head for leading universities in the UK (including Cambridge, Durham and UCL) or occasionally to American or German alternatives.
Berlin Metropolitan School
Adapted German curriculum/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 4-18 ; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,000 students
Four classes in each year group at primary following a curriculum (taught in English) based on the International Baccalaureate Organisation and the Berlin state framework. Secondary school works towards IGCSEs, the Mittlerer Schulabschuss and the IB Diploma. A strong vertical house system (houses named after the planets), run by a head of house and house tutors, with plenty of opportunities for students to be involved.
Charles Dickens Primary School
Adapted National Curriculum for England; ages 5-11; co-ed; day; state; 290 students
One of the English-German Europe schools (NOT to be mistaken for a European School), located in Charlottenburg. English and German speaking pupils are taught reading and writing in their mother tongue separately, see the GSGI article Berlin: education and international schools.
John F Kennedy School Berlin
American/ American High School Diploma/ German curriculum/ German International Abitur; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; state; 1,700 students
Founded in 1960 and,optimistically, re-named in 1963 after the assassinated president, who brought America and Germany closer together with his famous speech ‘ich bin ein Berliner’. A selective bilingual, bi-cultural school leading to either a German Abitur or the American High School Diploma. Academic and competitive; all admissions are probationary for one semester.
Nelson Mandela School
Adapted/ IB Diploma; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; state
Formerly called the State International School, founded in 2000 and renamed in honour of the South African statesman. A non-selective school which, whilst offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma, provides a more European feel than some other schools in Berlin. It also offers the BBR, a vocational qualification.
Quentin Blake Primary School
Adapted National Curriculum for England; ages 5-11; co-ed; day; state; 290 students
One of the English-German Europe schools (NOT to be mistaken for a European School) but we’re not quite sure of the logic of Quentin Blake Primary following on from Charles Dickens Primary as names for Europe schools. English and German speaking pupils are taught reading and writing in their mother tongue separately, see the GSGI article Berlin: education and international schools.
Schiller Gymnasium (SESB)
Adapted; ages 13-18; co-ed; day; state
A senior school that is part of the State European School project in Berlin (SESB). Half the students and teachers have English as their mother tongue and classes are taught half in English and half in German. The students are in the top 25 per cent ability range and often come on from the SESB primaries. For more information, see the GSGI article Berlin: Global education guide.
SIS Swiss International School Berlin
Adapted curriculum/ Bilingual Abitur/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 225 students
Situated in an historic villa, with the addition of new school buildings, on a large campus, in a western suburb of Berlin. At primary level, there is total immersion in German and English, outside as well as inside the classroom. In the truly bilingual secondary school, each subject is usually taught in either German or English. A major academic challenge is available in years 11-13, as students can choose to study for the bilingual Abitur and the International Baccalaureate Diploma simultaneously.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on the Good Schools Guide international search.