ADMISSIONS

We know that changing schools, relocating and starting a new assignment are all big challenges. We are here to help you through this process. No question is too small, so please don’t hesitate to contact us about any aspect of our school or our admissions procedure. We always try to answer every inquiry promptly.

Discover Cologne International School

To send a non binding inquiry or initiate the admissions process, please complete the corresponding online form below. There is no application deadline, but we recommend beginning this process in late winter or early spring for the following school year. Applications are accepted on a space-available basis throughout the school year.

Inquire online

Please fill out our Inquiry Form. As soon as we receive the form, we will contact you regarding the next steps.

Registration of Interest

We are happy to invite any child interested in joining our school to a trial day, when he/she can visit lessons and meet some of our teachers and students. The trial day, which ends with a personal meeting with School Leadership, allows your child to get a real feeling for our school community.

Five Steps to Register

1. Submit inquiry and arrange for a campus tour / counselling interview
Inquiry form: Registration of Interest

If you would like to know more about our school and visit the campus for a school tour, we are happy to offer an appointment in a timely manner after receiving the Inquiry Form. If a visit is not possible, we are happy to arrange a Google Meet for a non binding counselling interview.

2. ARRANGE TRIAL DAY AND SUBMIT REPORT CARDS
There are no placement assessments at Cologne International School, however we strongly encourage interested families to participate in a trial day. Not only does this give you first-hand experience of our school, but it also allows our teaching staff to gain a better idea of your child as a unique learner.

Previous school records:

  • Grade 1: kindergarten report
  • Grades 2-4: primary end-of-year report cards
  • Grades 5+: secondary end-of-year report cards
3. COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
After the trial day and meeting with the school leadership, the interested families have the opportunity to apply for a spot at Cologne International School by filling out our Application Form.

Application for Admissions

4. SUBMIT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
  • Birth Certificate (copy with Latin letters)
  • Vaccination records for inspection (copy with Latin letters)
  • School entrance examination certificate (for 1st graders)
  • 1 Passport photo
  • Visa status (for non-EU citizens)
5. SCHOOL CONTRACT
After completion, the application and the supporting documents will be submitted to the school board for a decision and in case of a positive decision, you will receive an offer for a school spot.

You then have the possibility to accept or decline. In case of acceptance, our school contract will need to be signed.

Our Admissions Team looks forward to answering your questions and showing you our school.

Admissions

Petra Tenzer

Age Requirements & Grade Placement

While we certainly look at students’ previous education for enrollment in grades 2 and above, we find it quite important to place children in classes with their peers, according to the age guidelines given below. In addition, we consider factors such as the previous national school system, school calendar, maturity and language skills of the student.

We generally will not enroll a student who will be older than 19 at the time of his/her graduation.

Bilingual Primary School

Grade Age by September 30 Academic Program
1 Grade 6 years old Primary School (PYP)
2 Grade 7 years old Primary School (PYP)
3 Grade 8 years old Primary School (PYP)
4 Grade 9 years old Primary School (PYP)
5 Grade 10 years old Primary School (PYP)

Grade 1 enrollment

Early enrollment (Kannkind)

Children who do not turn six on/before September 30 of the respective year can still be considered for first grade enrollment if the family strongly feels that their child is ready to begin school. In this case, the school makes the decision together with the child’s parents after receiving the results of the school entrance examination test (Schuleingangsuntersuchung) if the child is mature enough to enter first grade.

School entrance examination (Schuleingangsuntersuchung)

The School Entrance Examination is required by German law for all incoming first grade pupils before the start of the school year. Doctors of the city health department examine children’s vision, speech, hearing and motor skills. Families also submit documentation of the child’s previous health records.

The examination takes place once a year at our school, generally in late spring. Alternatively, families can arrange a private appointment directly with the public health department at their office (Gesundheitsamt Köln-Neumarkt).

After the examination, a recommendation is made about the child’s enrollment in 1st grade. The ultimate decision regarding enrollment is left to the parents and the School Leadership Team.

International Secondary School

Grade Age by September 30 Academic Program
6 Grade 11 years old IB Middle Years Programme
7 Grade 12 years old IB Middle Years Programme
8 Grade 13 years old IB Middle Years Programme
9 Grade 14 years old IGCSE 2023/24 / IB Middle Years Programme from 2024/25
10 Grade 15 years old IGCSE 2023/24 & 2024/25 / IB Middle Years Programme from 2025/26
11 Grade 16 years old IB Diploma Programme
12 Grade 17 years old IB Diploma Programme