Admissions at Cologne International School

Find everything you need to know about applying to Cologne International School, including how our admissions process works, grade placement by age, required documents, trial visits, and how to get in contact with our team.

How to Apply

Starting a new school journey is exciting. At Cologne International School, we guide you through each step. Applications are accepted year-round, depending on availability. Here’s how to get started:

01 Submit an Inquiry Form

Begin by filling out our online inquiry form to let us know more about your child and your interest in joining Cologne International School.

02 Campus Tour or Meeting

Once we’ve reviewed your inquiry, we’ll invite you to tour our campus in person or schedule a virtual meeting to get to know each other better.

03 Provide Required Documents

We will send you a list of required documents—such as school reports and language certificates—that help us move forward with your child’s application.

04 Trial Day or Interview

Depending on your child’s age and grade, we may arrange a trial day or an interview with our Principal to assess the fit for both sides.

05 Receive Enrollment Offer

If your child is accepted, you will receive a formal offer including the school contract, admission conditions, and next steps for joining our community.

06 Prepare for Start

Once you’ve signed the enrollment contract, we’ll support you with next steps; such as ordering school materials, arranging orientation, and getting ready for your first day.

Age Requirement By Grade

To ensure proper grade placement, students are grouped according to their age. Children must reach the required age by September 30th of the school year. If your child has followed a different system, we’ll review their placement during the admissions process.

Grades	Required Age	Academic Program
Grade 1	6 Years Old	Primary School (PYP)
Grade 2	7 Years Old	Primary School (PYP)
Grade 3	8 Years Old	Primary School (PYP)
Grade 4	9 Years Old	Primary School (PYP)
Grade 5	10 Years Old	Primary School (PYP)
Grade 6	11 Years Old	IB Middle Years Programme
Grade 7	12 Years Old	IB Middle Years Programme
Grade 8	13 Years Old	IB Middle Years Programme
Grade 9	14 Years Old	IB Middle Years Programme from 2024/25
Grade 10	15 Years Old	IGCSE 2024/25 / IB Middle Years Programme from 2025/26
Grade 11	16 Years Old	IB Diploma Programme
Grade 12	17 Years Old	IB Diploma Programme

Grade 1 Enrollment Options

Standard Enrollment

Children who turn six on or before September 30 of the respective year are eligible for first grade enrollment.

Early Enrollment (Kannkind)

Children who turn six after September 30 may still be considered for first grade if parents believe their child is ready. This decision is made jointly by the school and parents based on the results of the School Entrance Examination (Schuleingangsuntersuchung).

School Entrance Examination

This examination is required by law in Germany for all children entering first grade. It includes checks on vision, speech, hearing, motor skills, and a review of medical records.

Conducted by the city health department
Usually takes place at the school in late spring
Alternatively, families may book a private appointment with the health office at Gesundheitsamt Köln-Neumarkt

After the exam, a recommendation is made regarding the child’s readiness, and the final decision is made by the parents and School Leadership Team together.

Tuition Fees Overview

To support our international, high-quality learning environment, Cologne International School charges tuition and additional fees. If you’d like a detailed breakdown by grade level, optional services, and payment plans, please visit our dedicated tuition page.

Required Documents

To complete the application process, families are asked to submit the documents listed below. These allow us to assess each student’s readiness and support accurate grade placement. Additional documents may be required based on individual circumstances.

Birth certificate (copy with Latin letters)
Vaccination records (copy with Latin letters)
School entrance examination certificate (for 1st graders)
One passport photo
Visa status documentation (for non-EU citizens)

For secondary school applicants, additional documents may include:

Report cards from the previous two years
Teacher recommendations
International language certificates
Proof of general development and knowledge level

Commonly Asked Questions

Yes, we accept applications throughout the year, subject to availability in the requested grade level.

No, prior German knowledge is not required. Our bilingual and international programs support students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

The admissions process can take a few weeks, depending on how quickly documents are submitted and meetings or trial days are completed.

Yes, CIS offers boarding for students in grades 9 to 12. For more information on accommodations, support services, and life in the boarding house, please visit our dedicated Boarding House page.

Yes, once we’ve received your inquiry form, our admissions team will invite you to tour the campus or schedule a virtual meeting as part of the early steps in the admissions process.

Begin Your Application

We’re excited to learn more about your family and help you explore the opportunities at Cologne International School. If you’re ready to take the next step, we invite you to start your admissions journey today.

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
08:15 - 09:45	Targeted Learning	Spanish / French / EAL	Math	The Arts	Humanities
09:45 - 10:15	Snack & Break
10:15 - 11:15	Humanities	The Arts	English	English	Personal Growth
11:15 - 12:15	Math	English	Science	Science	German / GAL
12:15 - 13:15		Science
13:15 - 13:45	Lunch & Break
13:45 - 14:15	Spanish / French / EAL	Homeroom	German / GAL	Sport	Math
14:15 - 15:15	German / GAL	Clubs	Clubs	Clubs	Clubs
15:15 - 16:45	Clubs	Cubs	Clubs	Clubs	Clubs

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
07:00 - 08:00	Early Supervision	Early Supervision	Early Supervision	Early Supervision	Early Supervision
08:00 - 09:30	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry
09:30 - 10:00	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess
10:00 - 10:30	Instrumental	Kung Fu	Instrumental	Tai Chi	Instrumental
10:30 - 12:00	Unit	Unit	Unit	Unit	Tai Chi + Unit
12:00 - 13:30	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess
13:30 - 14:30	Unit Math, German, English, Social Studies	Swimming	Library	Music	Unit
14:30 - 15:30	Spanish	Clubs	Art	Unit	Clubs
15:30 - 16:30	Spanish		Spanish	Spanish
16:30 - 18:00	Late Clubs	Late Clubs	Late Clubs	Late Clubs

Admissions at Cologne International School

How to Apply

01

Submit an Inquiry Form

02

Campus Tour or Meeting

03

Provide Required Documents

04

Trial Day or Interview

05

Receive Enrollment Offer

06

Prepare for Start