ADMISSIONS FAQS

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

3-year-old programme: aged 3 before 01 Sept

Reception: aged 4 before 01 Sept

Prep: aged 5 before 01 Sept

Grade 1: aged 6 before 01 Sept

Grade 2: aged 7 before 01 Sept

Grade 3: aged 8 before 01 Sept

Grade 4: aged 9 before 01 Sept

Grade 5: aged 10 before 01 Sept

Grade 6: aged 11 before 01 Sept

Grade 7: aged 12 before 01 Sept

Grade 8: aged 13 before 01 Sept

Grade 9: aged 14 before 01 Sept

Grade 10: aged 15 before 01 Sept

Grade 11: aged 16 before 01 Sept

Grade 12: aged 17 before 01 Sept

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.

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.

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.

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).

No. ISD does not currently run a school bus service, as the majority of our families live locally, and many students enjoy walking or cycling to school. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our admissions team – Helga Becker, Amy Howells, and Yasuyo Udesen - at admissions@isdedu.de. We look forward to talking with you.