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.
Before you start
Our Welcome Family team reaches out to new families. This team pairs new families 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.
New family check in sessions take place online over the summer and before Winter Break when large groups traditionally join school. These are designed so that new families can meet each other, as well as key people in our administration and IT teams, before school starts. They familiarize families with our communications systems, BIS vocabulary, school supplies lists and important dates and allow plenty of time for questions and conversation.
When you start
Orientation Day is held the day before school starts in August and the first day back after Winter Break. 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 around campus 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.
After you join us
There is plenty of support for new families as they begin school, with our Welcome Family, Parent Volunteers and Admissions team all ready to lend a hand and explain our systems. You can choose to join:
- specific grade-level information sessions, explaining the curriculum and open for your feedback
- English and German classes held at BIS and open to all parents
- numerous social events, hosted by both the school and our Parent Volunteers
- Welcome Guide and community-only Facebook page 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
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 a reference -- there is no need to purchase every item at the beginning of the year.
Physical Education Uniform
Students in Grades 1 – 10 wear a uniform for Physical Education classes. This uniform consists of a green t-shirt with the BIS logo and blue shorts.
The required clothing can only be purchased online with the supplier “Schwarz Sports”. To access the online shop:
- Visit the website: http://schwarz-sports.de/
- Click on the BIS Logo
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 “Schwarz Sports” 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:
Karen Wililams on our Welcome Family Team
To ask about health-related issues and immunizations:
Nurse Stephanie and Uta in the Nurses' Office
Cafeteria
Parents with children in Early Learning – Grade 5 order school meals in advance via an online order link. Meals are invoiced at the end of the month.
The cost of the hot meals in Early Learning and Primary School are € 5,50.
Students choose between three menus on offer, one of which is meat-based or vegetarian or our salad bar.
Our Catering Manager is Adrian Brodam. He may be contacted under + 49 (0)228 308 54610 or by email.
Secondary School
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 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. Requirements:
- 13“ display diagonal size
- 4GBRAM
- 128 GB hard drive
- supports latest macOS operating system version or Windows 8.1 or newer
Physical Education Uniform
Students in Grades 1 – 10 wear a uniform for Physical Education classes. This uniform consists of a green t-shirt with the BIS logo and blue shorts.
The required clothing can only be purchased online with the supplier “Schwarz Sports”. To access the online shop:
1. Visit the website: http://schwarz-sports.de/
2. Click on the BIS Logo
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 “Schwarz Sports” are free of delivery charges.
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:
Caroline Becker 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:
Karen Wililams on our Welcome Family Team
To ask about health-related issues and immunizations:
Nurse Stephanie and Uta in the Nurses' Office
Cafeteria
Secondary lunch takes place 12:50 - 13:35. Morning break is 10:30 - 10:55.
Hot lunches purchased by Secondary School students cost € 5,90. Secondary lunches are purchased directly on the day of schooland are not pre-ordered.
Students choose one of two main meal components or a third option which is salad or bowl based.
Secondary students pay for lunches, snacks from our vending machine and kiosk purchases with their ID cards.
Our Catering Manager is Adrian Brodam. He may be contacted under +49 (0)228 308 54610 or by email.
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Early Learning
Ages 3 - 6
Primary Years
Ages 6 - 11
Diploma Years
Ages 16 - 18