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BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School
Established in 1990 and now on a 36-hectare campus in Kleinmachnow southwest of Berlin, BBIS is one of a small number of schools worldwide authorised to offer the full IB continuum from PYP through Diploma and Career-related Programme.
In brief
Established in 1990 and now on a 36-hectare campus in Kleinmachnow southwest of Berlin, BBIS is one of a small number of schools worldwide authorised to offer the full IB continuum from PYP through Diploma and Career-related Programme. Around 900 students, of whom roughly 80 board.
The boarding programme is a genuine part of the school rather than a marketing line, and the leafy out-of-town campus is one of the larger international school sites in Europe. The mix is roughly a third German, a third American, and a third everything else, with embassy families a steady part of the roll.
Parent reaction is split. Families with strong learning support needs report serious teacher engagement and small class sizes, and the diplomatic community generally rates the school. The recurring complaints are administrative communication, IB scoring corrections handled poorly, and an 8 to 3 school day with thinner after-school care than peers, which working parents notice fast given the fee level. For families who want the full IB continuum and a campus with space, the benefits usually outweigh the friction.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Education (3-4 years) | 3 | Annual | €15,300 |
| Early Education (5 years) | 5 | Annual | €16,400 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | Annual | €19,400 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | Annual | €20,000 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | Annual | €20,300 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | Annual | €21,400 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | Annual | €21,600 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | Annual | €22,500 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | Annual | €22,700 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | Annual | €22,900 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | Annual | €23,900 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | Annual | €24,200 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | Annual | €25,000 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | Annual | €25,100 |
| Application fee | One-time | €100 | |
| Book deposit | One-time | €300 | |
| Registration fee | One-time | €7,500 |
Reviews
- Parent reviews are polarised. Positive voices describe motivated teachers, smaller classes than the local public sector, and strong support for children with learning differences. Critics flag administrative and communication failures.
- The most concrete complaint runs through several reviews: parents say poor handling of an administrative mistake led to an IB score being downgraded with no route to correction. One parent said board communication is non-existent.
- Practical complaints recur about the 8am-3pm school day. Parents of primary-age children describe the lack of integrated extended care as a poor fit for working families, with after-school and holiday provision sitting with expensive external providers.
- Staff reviews sit across 19 entries, reinforcing the management theme that runs through parent commentary.
- The Kleinmachnow campus, sports facilities, and IB continuum draw consistent positive mentions and in directory reviews.
Head of school
Trixie Siemens
Trixie Siemens joined BBIS after working in schools in Canada, China, Romania and Tanzania. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada, and holds a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Bath in the UK. She began her teaching career in the field of science and was an IB DP Examiner and IB MYP Moderator for the Personal Project. Currently, Trixie serves as a chair for international accreditations for both New England Association of Schools & Colleges and the Council of International Schools, giving her an opportunity to support educational review and development for schools around the world. Trixie is passionate about supporting holistic student development.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 02