When you're choosing a new school for your children, no question is too big or too small. Below are the answers to the questions our visiting families most frequently ask us.
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What curriculum is offered at ISD? |
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ISD is an IB continuum school, offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) programme - the primary years programme (PYP), the middle years programme (MYP), and the diploma programme (DP). Visit www.ibo.org for more information. In addition, students enrolled in grades 9-12 may also receive the ISD High School Diploma, which grants access to higher education programmes with Canada, the United States and many other countries. |
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What are ISD’s international credentials? |
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ISD is the only school in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). ISD is also a member of the Association of German International Schools (AGIS) and the Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS). |
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Is ISD an American or British school? |
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Neither. ISD is a truly international school, offering the full International Baccalaureate continuum from pre-K to grade 12. Our students hail from over fifty countries, and speak more than 45 languages, while our teaching staff hail from 27 different countries. |
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Is there a cut-off date for applications? |
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No. Due to the nature of our international community, students are welcome to join ISD at any time during the school year (provided space is available in the relevant grade). However, if you wish to join at the beginning of the school year, we recommend you start the application process by 30 April to ensure a smooth start to the year. |
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Does ISD prioritise applications? |
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Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, due to the international nature of our community, vacancies regularly arise throughout the school year. |
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What grade will my child be enrolled in? |
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New students will normally be placed in their age-appropriate group based on a cut-off date of 01 September of the new school year.
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Does ISD cater to students with special needs? |
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ISD offers learning support to a limited number of students with mild to moderate learning needs who are able to work independently and within the framework of our resources. We may ask to assess such students before offering them a place at ISD. Students who struggle academically in their native language and who have limited English language skills will not normally be admitted. |
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Can students attend a 'trial' day? |
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Yes. Students in grade 2 and above who are interested in enrolling in ISD can attend classes for a day with an ISD ‘buddy’ to get a taste for what a typical school day is like. Unfortunately, parents may not accompany their child on this day. For more information, and to book a trial day, contact our admissions team. |
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Can older students attend ISD while their family lives abroad? |
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At ISD we believe a supportive home environment is crucial to the academic and emotional welfare of our students. We cannot accept students who are living alone. All students should spend the school year living with a competent parent (or parent figure) who can provide a safe and nurturing home structure. |
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Can German citizens apply to ISD? |
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Yes! We welcome applications from families of all nationalities with an international outlook who would like their children to receive a high-quality education in English. |
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What is the language of instruction at ISD? |
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All classes (apart from German and World Languages) are taught in English. Students up to grade 10 who are not yet fluent in English receive tailored support from our EAL (English as an Additional Language) team. |
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What languages are taught at ISD? |
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In addition to German, students in the Senior School have the opportunity to study a third language as part of the curriculum: Spanish (non-native speakers), French (non-native speakers) or Japanese. To study Japanese, a native or near-native level is required. In addition, ISD offers a range of "mother tongue" classes for students to maintain and continue developing their first language. These classes are offered weekly as an after school activity, and are not part of the core curriculum. Our current mother tongue languages are:
Other languages may be added if there is sufficient interest and a teacher can be found. |
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Do students need to speak English to apply to ISD? |
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No. ISD is an international school, with students from over 50 countries, speaking more than 45 languages. Students up to grade 10 who are not yet fluent in English receive tailored support from our EAL (English as an Additional Language) team. Students who join ISD in grades 11 and 12 must have a sufficient knowledge of English to study at an IB level. |
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Do students need to speak German to apply to ISD? |
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No. No knowledge of German is required to enrol at ISD. The language of instruction in all classes (apart from language classes) is English. German classes are compulsory for all students in Prep to grade 10: non-native speakers study German B / Language Acquisition, and advance according to their ability (“emergent”, “capable” and “proficient”); students who speak German at home, or who have acquired a near native level while living in Germany, may enrol in German A / Language and Literature. Students arriving in grades 11 and 12, with no prior knowledge of German, may take German “ab initio” for their Diploma Programme Language Acquisition course. |
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When does the school year begin and end? |
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The ISD school year begins in the middle of August and ends in the middle of June. In addition to an eight-week summer vacation, students enjoy a one-week fall break in October, a two-week winter break from late December to early January, a week's vacation (ski week) in February and a two-week spring break in March/April. In Germany there are also a number of public holidays, which can result in extra three- and four-day weekends, particularly in May and June. |
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How long is the school day? |
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Classes for elementary school students (reception to grade 5) start at 08:40 and end at 15:45, Monday to Friday. Classes for senior school students (grades 6 to 12) start at 08:35 and finish at 15:50. After-school activities and sports training start from 16:00. Most activities are held between 16:00 and 17:00, or 17:00 and 18:00, but some (such as swim training) may follow a different schedule, or be held on weekends. After-school care at Cub Club is available until 18:00 on school days. |
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How is the school day organised? |
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The elementary school day is divided into seven periods of 50 minutes each, with a snack break mid-morning, and 50 minutes for lunch. The lunch period is staggered between the older and younger grades. The senior school day is divided into seven periods of between 45 and 50 minutes each, with a snack break mid-morning, and 50 minutes for lunch. The lunch period is staggered between grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. Choir and band rehearsals take place before or after school during “period 0” and/or “period 8”. All classes follow a ten-day cycle, meaning that students will follow the same daily timetable every two weeks. |
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What will a student’s first day at school look like? |
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Each new student is welcomed to ISD by their advisor, their year head, and their counsellor. In addition, a grade buddy will take the new student under his or her wing, introduce them to new friends, answer their questions, and help them navigate their first days and weeks at ISD. In the elementary school, the admissions team accompanies all new students to their classroom on the first day, where they are met by their classroom teacher, a ‘buddy’, and the rest of the class. New parents are also welcomed by their country representative and are invited to a variety of orientation and information sessions about ISD and life in Düsseldorf. |
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How do students get to school? |
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As the majority of our families live locally, many students enjoy walking or cycling to school, and there is an established network of biking paths in the area. For families who live further afield, ISD is very well-connected by public transport. The U79 (U-bahn) departs every 10-15 minutes and drops students a three-minute walk from the school gate. It runs to the city centre in one direction, and to Duisburg in the other. |
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Is there a school bus service? |
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Yes. ISD partners with a local bus company to provide transport to and from school along selected routes. |
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Is after school care available? |
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Yes. For ISD elementary school students, paid after-school care is available through Cub Club, every school day from the end of school until 18:00. No after-school care is available for senior school students; however the McWilliam Library is open for quiet study until 17:00 on school days (16:00 on Fridays). |
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Are school meals available? |
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Yes. Subsidised hot lunches can be purchased, using the lunch card system, in the elementary school and senior school cafeterias on each school day. Freshly cooked vegetables, side salads, and fresh fruit are available with all meals. A full vegetarian option is also offered each day. Students with packed lunches are also welcome to eat with their friends in the cafeteria. In addition, the senior school café (south building) offers sandwiches, panini, fruit salads, etc, as well as treats such as muffins, cookies, and potato chips. Food and drinks from the café may be purchased using the lunch card system. |
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Is there a school uniform? |
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No. While there is no school uniform at ISD, students are expected to adhere to the dress code outlined in the student handbook. Our sports teams (go Lions!) are expected to compete and travel in their ISD sports uniform, which can be purchased from the ISD school store. |
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Are there medical personnel on campus? |
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Yes. A fully qualified nurse (fluent in English and German) is available on each campus throughout the school day. As well as caring for students as needed, our medical team can also answer your questions about the German medical system, and provide a list of English-speaking medical specialists in your area. |
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Can interested parents visit the school? |
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Yes. Families who are interested in attending ISD are welcome to make an appointment with our admissions team to take a tour of our campuses, either in person or online. |
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Can parents come onto campus once their child is a student at ISD? |
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Yes. At ISD we welcome - and encourage - our parents to visit us on campus! Elementary school parents may enter the school playground at drop-off and pick-up times and can often be found socialising there after school while their children play. Any parent wishing to enter the school buildings - for community events, volunteering activities, or learning showcases - must sign in at the security desk. A school ID is required to enter both campuses. Parents cannot enter classrooms or learning spaces when teaching is taking place. |
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Can parents make an appointment to see a teacher? |
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Yes! We encourage all families to communicate freely with their child’s teachers. In the elementary school you are welcome to chat with your child’s grade teacher immediately after school between 15:45 and 16:00 (except Wednesdays). Outside this time, and in the senior school, an appointment can be made directly with the teacher via email. |
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Do you have any questions not answered here? |
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If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our admissions team – Helga Becker, Amy Howells, and Yasuyo Udesen - at this email: We look forward to talking with you. |
CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM
Helga Becker
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Amy Howells
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Yasuyo Udesen
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