International Bilingual School, Munich

In Brief

A well-regarded primary-only option for families in the north of Munich who want IB PYP and genuine bilingualism - but it ends at age 11, so have your secondary plan in place before you enrol.

IBSM sits on Lerchenauerstrasse in the Milbertshofen area and takes children from Grade 1 to Grade 4 (with some Grade 5 provision), covering ages 6 to 11. It is a state-approved bilingual school combining the IB Primary Years Programme with the Bavarian LehrplanPLUS - meaning children meet German national curriculum requirements while also following the IB framework. There are around 25 nationalities in the school; class size is capped at 25, and each class has a teaching assistant alongside the main teacher.

The bilingual model works through full immersion from day one. German and English are used interchangeably throughout the school day, with native speakers in both languages on the teaching staff. After-school care runs until 18:15, and a school bus is available - practical for families in the northern suburbs. Barbara Cox has led the school as principal for a number of years and is actively visible in the day-to-day running.

The school stops at age 11. That is not a criticism - it's a fact that needs to be at the front of your planning. Families choosing IBSM need a clear secondary school pathway lined up before they arrive; the obvious routes are BIS, St George's, or German-language secondary schools. Given the income-based fee model, contact the school directly for a fee schedule rather than budgeting on estimates.