Admissions FAQ

Our school thrives because of its diversity and welcomes the applications of students regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. We are a school intent on ensuring that all students feel a strong sense of belonging upon joining the FIS community.

Each year FIS has hundreds more applications than spaces available at the school. It is therefore necessary to place students on waiting lists at various grade levels. In general, the higher the grade level, the longer the waiting list, although there are some years when younger grades also have lengthy waiting lists.

When there is limited space at a grade level, an Admissions Committee may be convened to review the applications that have been submitted. FIS uses four categories to group its applicants. Families employed by one of the FIS Corporate Partners are in the first category, followed by expatriate children from abroad, German students from abroad, and those in a local school. Within these categories, further weight is given to those with siblings admitted to the school, returning families, and children of FIS alumni. It is also helpful to have an early application date.

As our Admissions Office reviews the applications, we consider how well a student and family might be a fit for the school and its mission. For older students, a history of commitment to high academic achievement, as well as creative pursuits such as visual or performing arts, is helpful. Students showing strong character attributes such as leadership, community service and athletic involvement, are also considered. As a family-oriented school, we also appreciate parents who have a history of active involvement within the life of a school.

While our school would like to admit all of its applicants, limited space simply makes this not possible. It is important that each family also investigates other schools in the area. Even families formerly enrolled at FIS must understand that the current space limitations may make admission at a certain grade level or time of year difficult. The FIS Admissions Office will of course offer any needed support in introducing a family on our waiting list to other English-speaking schools in the Frankfurt area.
 

If you are looking for a school that balances a challenging academic curriculum with opportunities for pursuing athletics, arts and community service, look no further. We have a highly qualified teaching staff (most of whom hold a Masters Degree or above), and a warm welcoming student community. We invite you to visit our campus so that we can further introduce you to the many opportunities FIS has to offer.

The FIS academic year begins in mid August. Prospective families may apply for any school year starting in January of the same year.

Each year FIS has hundreds more applications than spaces available at the school.  It is therefore necessary to place students on waiting lists at various grade levels. In general, the higher the grade level, the longer the waiting list, although there are some years when younger grades also have lengthy waiting lists.

Given that space is often limited, families are encouraged to submit an application prior to 1 March, although applications will be accepted throughout the school year.

No. In most instances, an interview is not required before a student is accepted. However, an interview or student assessment may be required to determine if FIS has an appropriate program to meet a student's needs.

Yes. Parents of students holding only a German passport must complete a form that notifies their local school authority that their child will be attending FIS.

By nature of our school’s status and recognition as a supplementary school (Ergänzungsschule) offering the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), this is a routine requirement needed to inform the authorities.

Detailed information is available on the Admissions Process page.

No. As an international school, FIS has students representing more than 60 different nationalities. To support this international population, we offer additional English language support at all grade levels. However, we only offer beginning classes in English Language Acquisition (ELA) through Grade 8.

Our school policy states that FIS “offers a limited program for students with special learning needs, which is designed to serve a limited number of students with mild disabilities.”

To determine if a child meets this requirement, or whether there is space in the learning support program, parents should submit FIS applications as early as possible. In addition to the application, a recent psycho-educational assessment report and other pertinent records regarding past educational plans and services must be submitted to the admissions office.

In general, FIS will not move a student ahead a semester when applying from a different school system. For instance, if a student begins Grade 4 in March in Korea, that child would continue in Grade 4 when FIS begins a new school year in August. The only exception is when that incoming student is more than three months older than most Grade 4 students, then Grade 5 would be considered in some circumstances. In Grade 6 and above, it is rare to allow a child to be moved ahead without fully completing the previous grade level.

At our FIS Wiesbaden Campus the school day starts at 8:35 for all grades. Dismissal time for First Steps is 12:20, and for all other grades is 15:10.

The schedule for our FIS Oberursel Campus is as follows:

• Primary School: 8:40–12:00 for the First Steps half-day program; for all other grades, dismissal time is 14:45 for those taking the bus, 14:50 for parent pick up.
• Elementary School: 8:30–15:05
• Upper School: 8:32–15:10

Please note that After School Activities are available at both campuses throughout the school year and provide supervised activities for students beginning at 15:30.

The academic calendar shows only the school holidays and major dates you need to plan your holidays.

Please visit our Calendar page to download calendars for current and upcoming school years.

Yes. Both campuses offer after school activities covering a wide range of options from sports and academic enrichment, to the performing and visual arts. There is an added fee for each class and parents or a designated adult must pick up students after the activity.

For more information, please visit our REAL Activities Program page.

Yes. We encourage parents to volunteer throughout the school to both make new connections and improve the learning experience for the students. Our Parent Teacher Group (PTG), Athletic Booster Club (ABC) and Supporters of the Performing Arts (SPA) group involve hundreds of parents in school activities and functions. Parent involvement is also encouraged in many homerooms, campus libraries and during community events.