Starting School

Once you decide to join BIS, a variety of programmes and people will be available to support you.

Our goal is to help your family join in school life and find your way around Bonn as quickly as possible. Your start at BIS is important for both students and parents.

To help you plan, take a look at our school year calendar - an overview of our term times and holidays.

Our community is there for you even before you start. Our Buddy Family team pairs newbies with others at BIS who come from the same country, live in the same neighborhood or have children the same ages. These parents can answer your questions about school, relocation or everyday life in Bonn.

A new family check in session takes place before school starts, usually in August when large groups traditionally join school. This is designed so that new families can meet each other, as well as key people in our administration, before school starts. It provides families with an overview of our communications systems, BIS vocabulary, school supplies lists and important dates and allows plenty of time for questions and conversation.

When you start

Orientation Day is held the last weekday before school starts in August, smaller scale orientation sessions can take place the first day back after Winter Break or when larger groups of students start at the same time.

Families are welcomed by school leadership and given practical information to get started. New students meet their teachers and become familiar with their classrooms and daily routines. Secondary School students are greeted by BIS student ambassadors who tour our newcomers through school with stops at important places like lockers, the cafeteria and the IT department. Primary students are shown their classrooms and important campus landmarks by their homeroom teachers.

A variety of staff members and volunteers are also on hand to provide information on a host of activities and services – from extracurricular activities to technology, catering and counseling. Our community portal (login required) has a section called New@BIS with helpful links to information like BIS A-Z (a reference guide to the terms and language we use) and our Welcome Guide with information about life and settling in Germany.

After you join us

There is plenty of support for new families as they begin school, with our Buddy Family Programme, Parent Volunteers and Admissions team all ready to lend a hand and explain our systems. You can choose to join:

information sessions, explaining the curriculum, communications channels and offers for both students and parents
numerous social events, hosted by both the school and our Parent Volunteers
community-only Facebook group to exchange information about doctors, services, pets, moving sales and issues outside of school
information sessions by our Counselors on topics as diverse as transition, positive discipline, anxiety and developing healthy habits

In dieser Rubrik

Primary School

Communications Basics

School Supplies

Supplies List

The Primary School Supplies List is a guide of the materials your child will need when starting school. Please take this as a reference -- there is no need to purchase every item at the beginning of the year.

Physical Education Uniform

Primary students wear a uniform for Physical Education classes. This uniform consists of a green t-shirt with the BIS logo and blue shorts or track pants. Indoor shoes are mandatory in the Sports Halls.

The required clothing can only be purchased online with the supplier “Flockinger”.

Visit the website by clicking here

A complete set of clothing costs between € 26 - € 38. BIS recommends the purchase of one pair of shorts and two t-shirts, so that students may bring home a used t-shirt for washing and still have a change of clothes. Orders above €25 via Flockinger are free of delivery charges.

Important Contacts

It may take a while before you know your way around school. In the meantime, these people can help.

With questions related to life in our Primary School:

Kathi Heindl in the Primary School Office

For applications, school records and recommendations:

Jana Jazic and Rosemary Hewitt in our Admissions Office

For questions about school fees and payment plans:

Wonjae Lee in our Accounting Office

To get in touch a buddy family, learn about social events or how to get involved as a parent:

Buddy Family Team

To ask about health-related issues and immunizations:

Nurses' Office

Cafeteria

Secondary School

Communications Basics

School Supplies

Supplies List

The Secondary School Supplies List serves as a a guide of the materials your child will need when starting school. Please take this as a reference -- there is no need to purchase every item at the beginning of the year.

Laptop / Bring Your Own Device

Our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Programme applies to all Secondary students in Grades 8 - 12. They need to bring their personal laptops to school for course work.

Minimum specifications: A new or used device, 13” display size, 8GB ram, 128GB storage, supports latest (current) macOS or Windows version
Suggested specifications: Apple Macbook Air with 13” display, 8GB ram, 256GB SSD storage, supporting latest macOS version.

Physical Education Uniform

Students in Grades 1 – 8 wear a uniform for Physical Education classes. This uniform consists of a green t-shirt with the BIS logo and blue shorts or track pants. Students in Grades 9 - 10 can wear any appropriate PE kit. Indoor shoes are mandatory in our Sports Halls.

The required clothing can only be purchased online with the supplier "Flockinger".

Visit the website by clicking here

Traveling Sports Uniform

Students who are members of a Traveling Sports Team will need to purchase an Co-Curricular Sports Tracksuit Jacket.

CC Sports tracksuit jackets are available in adult and children's sizes. Matching tracksuit pants may also be purchased, but are not compulsory. For an optional charge, the student’s initials may be printed on the jacket or pants.

Important Contacts

It may take a while before you know your way around school. In the meantime, these people can help.

With questions related to life in our Secondary School:

Victoria Barsalou in the Secondary School Office

For applications, school records and recommendation:

Jana Jazic and Rosemary Hewitt in our Admissions Office

For questions about school fees and payment plans:

Wonjae Lee in our Accounting Office

To get in touch a buddy family, learn about social events or how to get involved as a parent:

Buddy Family Team

To ask about health-related issues and immunizations:

Nurses' Office

Cafeteria

Secondary students and staff may pre-order meals provided by our caterer, spontaneously purchase lunch on the day in question or alternatively bring their own food from home. Our caterer cooks onsite and uses fresh, local products. Weekly menus provide a number of meal options, including vegetarian options. Allergens and additives are indicated on menus. Meals cost €5.95 and include a dessert.

Early Learning

Ages 3 - 6

Primary Years

Ages 6 - 11

Diploma Years

Ages 16 - 18

In This Section

Starting School

School HOLIDAY CaleNDARS

Before you start

When you start

After you join us

In dieser Rubrik

Primary School

Communications Basics

School Supplies

Supplies List

Physical Education Uniform

Important Contacts

Cafeteria

Secondary School

Communications Basics

School Supplies

Supplies List

Laptop / Bring Your Own Device

Physical Education Uniform

Traveling Sports Uniform

Important Contacts

Cafeteria

You might also like

Early Learning

Primary Years

Diploma Years

Bonn International School

Welcome to BIS