Frankfurt, Germany: Frankfurt International School: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

Frankfurt International School (FIS) is an independent, coeducational day school, operating on two campuses, which offers an exceptional educational program from First Steps (age three) through Grade 12 for students representing more than 60 nationalities. The school was founded in 1961, and the 2023-2024 school year runs from August to June.  “The school’s mission is to be the leading culturally diverse and family-oriented international school with English as the principal language of instruction. The school inspires young individuals to develop their intellect, creativity, and character to become independent, adaptable, socially responsible, and internationally minded citizens, by ensuring a dynamic, inquiry-driven education of the highest standard.”

Organization: The school is governed by a 12-member board of trustees consisting of current parents. Six members are elected by the parents of children enrolled in the school, and five are appointed by the board. A faculty/staff member is also elected by their colleagues at FIS.

Curriculum: The school’s international curriculum is centered on the programs of the International Baccalaureate (IB) with a strong emphasis on academic rigor and preparation for university studies. Leadership skills and positive character attributes are embedded in learning from the early years onward. Instruction is in English. German is part of the curriculum for all students, with French and Spanish offered as additional languages starting in grade 6. A personalized identity language program has been recently added as well to allow for additional self-study of a variety of languages. Numerous co-curricular activities are available in drama, music, arts, service, literary activities, and competitive sports. The design technology labs have multiple 3D printers, and the science department is equipped with 3D microscopes. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The upper school employs 6 counselors, and more than 130 colleges and universities visit (both virtually and in-person) each year to recruit FIS students. FIS graduates routinely have among the highest IB results and are accepted to competitive universities globally.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, FIS has 374 total staff including 283 teachers, 90 of whom are U.S. citizens, 64 host-country nationals, and 129 third-country nationals representing 42 nationalities.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment was 1,831. Of the total, 510 were U.S. citizens, 346 host-country nationals, and 975 third-country nationals.

Facilities: Frankfurt International School has two state-of-the-art campuses. The 16-acre Oberursel campus contains the main building for the elementary and upper schools and a separate, purpose-built primary school for children aged three to six years. These buildings comprise over 120 classrooms, art and music rooms, three libraries, 14 science labs, a Design Technology center, two cafeterias, an auditorium/performing arts center, as well as specialist rooms for learning support and counseling. In addition, facilities include a separate block for central administration, several play areas, a multipurpose area, two all-weather sports fields, and a high-tech arts, science and technology building. The sports and learning center provides extra classrooms, a fitness center, a spinning room, three sports halls, changing rooms, and multipurpose rooms. The Wiesbaden campus is situated in the countryside village of Naurod, with students from First Steps through to grade 8, and has well-equipped facilities including a gymnasium, science lab, library-media center, cafeteria, and outdoor recreational space, with a strong emphasis on personalized instruction. In addition, the newly built ACE (Arts, Creativity, and Education) Center provides an enhanced teaching and learning environment for Design Technology and Visual Arts, including a 3D Printer, Maker Space, and Coding and Robotics areas. The ACE Center also comprises a new Black Box Performance Studio and flexible collaboration spaces.

Finances: In the 2023-2024 school year, the school’s income derives from regular school tuition and fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: First Steps, Pre-Primary: €26,070; Primary: €27,060; Grades 1-4: €27,540; Grade 5: €27,770; Grades 6-8: €31,210; Grades 9-10: €32,150; and Grades 11-12: €32,710. The registration fee is €1,500 for new students. The school also charges a capital assessment fee of €12,300 for students on first enrollment to be paid in two installments, €6,150 each in the first and second year for new students from pre-primary onwards. The re-enrollment fee is €350. In addition to the registration or re-enrollment fee, an upfront down payment of €2,000 is required to assure enrollment of a student and will be credited toward tuition. Transportation costs are between €2,250 and €3,620. (All fees quoted and payable in euros.). We offer First Language and Identity Language courses which are invoiced separately.

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and provided by the school.