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History
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Growing with the times
In 1991, a momentous decision was made by the German federal government to move the national capital from Bonn to Berlin following reunification 1989. The City of Bonn needed to rethink its future and rebrand itself as a centre for internationalism, global business, research and science.
As plans for "Bonn 2.0" progressed, the need for an international school to serve an increasing number of United Nations families and those of global players headquartered in the region became clear.
Humble beginnings
Three already existent schools -- the American Elementary School, American High School, and British High School, all with roots from the 1950s -- merged together in August 1997 to form Bonn International School. At that time, most of the embassies in Bonn had moved to Berlin or were on their way. International business and research organizations had yet to make a significant impact in the region. BIS opened its doors to 300 students.
Since then, BIS has grown steadily to its current enrollment of more than 800. While we once primarily served embassies and diplomats, we now host a diverse mix of children from internationally-mobile and local families. Approximately 20% of our students come to Bonn and BIS with the United Nations. The rest are distributed over more than 100 companies. Between 15 - 20% of our students come from families who live in Bonn long-term, either internationally-minded Germans or families having moved to Bonn and fallen in love with the quality of life.
Academic roots
BIS has been an International Baccalaureate World School for 25 years.
After starting with the IB Diploma Years Programme in 1997, we became authorised to teach the IB Middle Years Programme in 1999 and the Primary Years Programme in 2001.
We made the decision early on to adopt an educational system not based on any specific country curriculum. With the full range of IB Programmes, we are able to draw from evolving academic best practice and international research on how children best learn and grow. We chose the IB from the beginning and would unequivocally do so again.
Building for the future
Upon opening in 1997, our school was physically divided between three locations which had seen better days. Over the past 15 years, we have financed, built and opened three modern, light-filled buildings on a single riverside campus. We opened the Waves building in January 2006, the Agora in August 2012 and the Crest in January 2017.
Highlights
August 1997: A school is born. Bonn dignitaries and BIS' first Director turn out for the first day of this new school. BIS brought together 300 students from three British and American schools to form a truly international school.
December 1997: The earliest staff photo found in our archives -- BIS teachers raise a glass during their first BIS Christmas party in 1997.
January 2006: Finally together! Up to this point, we had our students learning in three different buildings spread throughout the city. You can imagine the relief and excitement when the Waves building opened and had all of us in one place.
July 2011: Our community turns out to break ground on the Agora building, completed just in time for the start of school 13 months later. This building project was a fantastic partnership between public and private donors recognizing the role BIS plays in international Bonn.
September 2012: Ta da! We celebrated the opening of the Agora building, the heart of our Secondary School. We marked this milestone with a music-filled community event and more formal event honouring donors and our staff.
March 2013: We love learning about different cultures. Each year, we celebrate one of the countries or regions represented in our school -- ranging from Germany to China, India to Scandinavia, Canada to Latin America and Africa. As part of our Irish celebration, we joined in a world-wide global greening.
November 2013: Grease, High School Musical, Into the Woods, Macbeth -- our annual theatre (or musical theatre) production is the highlight of the year for many of our Secondary students. From costumes to make-up, props to music, our students make these come alive in front of and behind the curtain.
August 2014: The year of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Community service has always been an important part of our curriculum and individual student development. The Ice Bucket Challenge was a fun way to draw attention to a serious issue, with our Secondary students and leadership taking the plunge.
June 2015: BIS is always ready to support the City of Bonn and international community, particularly the United Nations. Our students have sung and performed at many auspicious occasions. Here the opening of the World Congress Center Bonn.
February 2016: On a cold winter morning, our Leadership Team and Board Chair broke ground on our third building, the Crest. This building is now home to Secondary Maths, German and Further Languages as well as our senior lounge and exam rooms.
September 2017: German Secretary of State, and later Federal President, Frank Walter Steinmeier visited our campus in to debate current affairs with our Diploma students, and underline the importance of public service and advocacy.
November 2017: Bonn co-hosts the UNFCCC COP23 with Fiji. BIS students open the conference with a climate protest and music ceremony.
November 2017: The year was indeed full of "political" highlights, including a song or two with Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to Bad Godesberg.
April 2018: The 2017 - 2018 school year marked our 20th anniversary. This photo was snapped with our entire student and staff bodies together on our playing field near the Rhine -- soon after, each grade level cut into their own birthday cake.
August 2021: We covered the Agora roof with solar panels to reduce our carbon emissions by 20%. This is part of an ongoing effort by BIS to reach carbon neutrality as pledged when we joined the UNFCCC Carbon Neutral Now program in 2016.