Berlin - School Report Question and Answers

Absolutely. We are one of only three U.S. Embassy families at this school. Most others attend BBIS or JFK (also good choices), but we are so thankful we found BIS as it has been the perfect fit for our family. - Oct 2015

When my kids came home overwhelmed the first day, I thought we had chosen the wrong school. I thought I was asking too much of them to go to a bilingual school. But by the end of the first week when they had both made that important first friend, I knew it was the right school for them. Miscellaneous things. The school day ends at different times depending on the grade. This can be confusing at first. The school offers an after-school program that helps with the different ending times. My youngest gets out at 2:10 and plays in Late Birds until the older child gets out at 3:00. JFKS Elementary School" They also offer onsite childcare during the school year and summer. I don't know much about the Hort (childcare system) but the kids seem happy. The elementary classes (at least upper elementary) have a loop system. So the 3rd grade class generally moves up to 4th grade as a class and the teacher moves up with them. JFKS kids are much more independent than students at our previous school in the U.S. At first, it is overwhelming (possibly more for the Mom than the kids) but it all works out and the kids love the increased independence. For example in the States the teacher walks the 5th grade class from one classroom to the next and the kids all have to line up together for the school bus. At JFKS, 4th grade students are already changing classes by themselves. Many kids take public transportation by 3rd grade. - Apr 2014