International Education in Frankfurt am Main
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Frankfurt may not rank among the biggest cities in Germany. It may not be the most popular tourist hotspot. But don’t underestimate it. It’s the financial centre of Europe and is home to the European Central Bank. It’s a travel hub with one of the busiest airports in the world. It has a diverse population with over a quarter of residents holding foreign citizenship, and over half having non-German backgrounds.
All of the above makes Frankfurt a top destination for expats, which means there are some excellent international schools in the city. If you’re considering a family move to one of the richest cities in Europe, here’s what you need to know about the city’s international schools.
Compared with larger German cities like Berlin or Munich, Frankfurt has a smaller pool of international schools to choose from. Unfortunately, that means that waiting lists are inevitable. So once you have identified the right international school for your child, start the application process as early as possible to increase your chances of getting a place.
Most of Frankfurt’s international schools are bilingual, teaching through English, German, and sometimes additional languages. Like most cities in Germany, the International Baccalaureate and British curricula remain very popular. However, plenty of schools also teach the German curriculum - proof of the country’s excellent standards of education - as well as curricula from elsewhere in Europe.
As for schools facilities, native English speaker teachers, and extracurricular activities, you can expect the same standards in Frankfurt that you’d see in the rest of Germany or Europe’s international schools. Keep in mind that anything outside of day-to-day schooling (field trips, after-school clubs, etc.) will come at an extra cost.
International schools in Frankfurt (and their teaching staff) are subject to the same regulations as public schools and must be approved by the state. This means that all schools meet or exceed strict standards for classes, facilities, child welfare and so on. If you’d like to be extra vigilant, look out for schools affiliated with the Association of German International Schools or the Council of International Schools.
Many international schools in Germany don’t have fixed school fees, and you may find some in Frankfurt that work this way. Instead of a monthly or yearly tuition fee that is the same for all students, these schools calculate a fee based on your gross family income. There is usually a maximum allowable fee, and if you don’t wish to disclose your salary there is usually an option to pay this maximum instead.
Below, we have compiled the top 5 international schools in Frankfurt am Main according to our users. However, there are another 10 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Frankfurt am Main based on your requirements.
