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.
Five Steps to Register
1. Application process starts by submitting the Inquiry Form
Inquiry form: Inquiry Form
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2. GET INVITED TO A CAMPUS TOUR / INITIAL (ONLINE) MEETING
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3. ADMISSION PROCESS STARTS BY PROVIDING ALL REQUESTED ADMISSION DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATIONS
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4. RECEIVING THE INVITATION TO A TRIAL DAY / MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL / ONLINE ADMISSION INTERVIEW
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5. RECEIVING THE CIS SCHOOL CONTRACT
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Our Admissions Team looks forward to answering your questions and showing you our school.
Monique Beckand & 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 |
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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 |
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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 | IB Middle Years Programme from 2024/25 |
10 Grade | 15 years old | IGCSE 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 |