Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
Metropolitan International School operates three MIS locations in Germany: MIS Viernheim houses Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary programs at Walter-Gropius-Allee 3, 68519 Viernheim. MIS Mannheim offers Nursery, Kindergarten and Preschool at Turley-Straße 12, 68167 Mannheim. MIS Heidelberg offers Nursery, Kindergarten and Preschool at Mozartstraße 4, 69121 Heidelberg.
MIS Viernheim provides Primary and Secondary education; MIS Mannheim and MIS Heidelberg provide Early Learning (Nursery, Kindergarten and Preschool).
The Metropolitan International School is a state-accredited, private non-profit school.
11 nationalities are represented among MIS Mannheim pupils; 16 languages are spoken by pupils.
Germany
MIS Mannheim opens 7:00 to 18:00 on weekdays; MIS Heidelberg opens 7:30 to 18:00 on weekdays.
MIS Viernheim offers a school bus service with home pickup and drop-off within its service range; fees are based on mileage.
The school has a uniform policy. MIS uniforms are ordered online via the School Uniform Shop (Trutex) using location-specific LEA codes for Viernheim, Mannheim, Heidelberg and Geneva.
The school provides a weekly lunch menu for Primary and Secondary with German and English versions; meals include a salad bar and a range of hot dishes with gluten-free, low-fat and vegan options.
The Metropolitan International School is a state-accredited, private non-profit school.
MIS uses Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary curricula at the Viernheim campus, with Early Learning located at Heidelberg and Mannheim. Cambridge begins in Kindergarten; Primary (grades 1–4) and Secondary (grades 5–10) are offered at Viernheim. The Cambridge curriculum provides a flexible framework with integrated assessment in Mathematics, English and Science. For the senior years (grades 11–12), MIS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), including six subjects across groups, three at Standard Level and three at Higher Level, plus Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). Language studies cover Studies in Language and Literature in English or German, and Language Acquisition including additional languages such as French or Spanish, with the possibility of a bilingual diploma. MIS operates four locations: the main campus in Viernheim for Primary and Secondary, and two Early Learning Centers in Heidelberg and Mannheim.
MIS graduates go on to study at top European universities and other universities worldwide, with alumni continuing their academic journeys at institutions within Germany and beyond.
MIS prioritizes personal, social, and emotional growth and fosters a strong sense of community. Staff build personal connections with students to support their development, interests, and aspirations. A range of programs and activities helps students connect with each other and their surroundings. Leadership and service opportunities develop essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork. The school provides a safe and inclusive environment to learn, grow, and belong.
All core classes are taught in English. MIS uses Early Language Immersion to develop bilingual potential in English and German. The Language Acquisition element of the IB Diploma enables study of a second language. Students may choose French or Spanish if they have prior learning, and a self-taught option may be available, with guidance from the school.
The school focuses on personal, social, and emotional growth and the overall well-being of students. It provides a safe, inclusive environment for learning and growth. Programs and activities support emotional development, resilience and social connectedness.
1. School Visit (or video call). The first step is to visit the school when possible to gain insight into the campus and curriculum and to meet staff. An admissions representative is available to address questions you may have. If you are not in the area, a video call can be scheduled in place of the tour.
2. Application Form + School Records. To move forward with the application, submit the Application Form and provide details of the child's two most recent report cards to help the admissions team understand progress. For younger pupils, school assessments can be conversational. Written feedback is helpful to support your child's transition.
3. Trial Day. If your child would like to get a better feel for school, MIS welcomes children for a trial day. They will spend a typical day at school and meet future teachers and classmates. Participation is not mandatory, but it is a great way to support the transition.
4. Placement Test. Placement tests are required for new entrants to evaluate English and Math skills. For younger years, a motor skills and social skills assessment is required. When possible, assessments may be completed in an accredited overseas institution that ensures MIS assessment requirements are met. For entrance into our Secondary school, and for acceptance into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, students will need to achieve a B2 level of English, as well as other subject-specific skills; if not at B2, additional language lessons are required until B2 is reached.
5. Application Review. The Admissions Team meets weekly to review new applicants. The Application Form and School Records MUST be turned in before the applicant is reviewed by the team. You will be notified as to whether MIS is a good fit for your child and if space is available in their grade.
6. Place Offer. If space is available, you will be sent an Acceptance Letter, followed by a School Contract. If there is not currently space, you will be placed on the waiting list and will be contacted if any opportunities open up.
7. School Contract. A School Contract will be sent from the Administration Office and should be reviewed and signed by both parents/legal guardians and initialed on each page. Please be aware that at times there is high demand for places, and there may be a delay between place offers and the receipt of the School Contract. A Acceptance Confirmation Letter is not issued until the School Contract is complete.
8. Welcome Packet. Once the School Contract is complete, you will receive a Welcome Packet via email. It includes details such as how to log onto the online platform ItsLearning, shuttle bus information, textbook and supply lists, the uniform dress code and how to order, and introductions to your child's homeroom teacher and class parent representative. The Admissions Team is available to help with questions and contact details by location are provided.
Scholarships: We do get requests often from extremely deserving students around the world, and we wish we could say yes to them all. MIS is a non-profit organization and has limited ability to provide financial assistance or scholarships; however, each year a few students may receive partial support. Financial Assistance Review Process: To be considered for a partial scholarship on annual tuition, the student must demonstrate exceptional academic ability, and both parents must submit their most recent tax returns. If eligible and space is available, the offered tuition is on a sliding scale based on combined income and all financial information is kept confidential. To start the process, submit financial statements to the Financial Office (Claudia Jäger at jaeger@metroschool.de). If financial assistance is approved, it applies to the current academic year only and you must reapply for the following year if needed.
If space is not currently available, MIS places applicants on a waiting list and will contact families if opportunities open up.
The school is located at Wieblinger Weg 7, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany. It serves students aged 4–18 and operates as a single‑stream IB World School.
The school offers three International Baccalaureate programmes for students aged 4 to 18: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
K-12, non-profit, IB World School offering PYP, MYP and DP. All courses are taught in English, with language-specific courses as required.
Nationalities represented: 37.
Germany
School opens 08:15; there are morning and lunch breaks; dismissal at 15:10.
Lunch is vegetarian and non-vegetarian and is delivered by a local caterer. The costs are not included in the school fees. Water is available for all students and staff, and students may bring packed snacks and lunches from home.
The school is a nonprofit GmbH (gemeinnützige GmbH) with independent sponsorship. Managing Directors are Allyn Raw and Nathalie Sommer. The registration court is Mannheim HRB 707209.
The school offers three IB Programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 4 to 19. PYP provides inquiry‑based learning for ages 4 to 10. MYP (ages 11–16) covers a broad range of subjects, with Language Acquisition offered in English, German, and Spanish, and includes Arts, Design, Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical and Health Education. DP (ages 16–19) comprises six subject groups plus core components: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service. Examinations occur in May; in 2025, DP results showed a highest score of 44, an average of 34, and a 100% pass rate. Graduates go on to universities in the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Canada and the UK.
Total enrolment is 223 students with 45 teaching staff, giving an approximate student‑to‑teacher ratio of about 5:1. Class size is 23.
Diploma Programme examinations are conducted in May in the final year. In 2025, the highest DP score was 44, the average was 34, and the pass rate was 100%. College counselling supports university admissions around the world.
Graduates go to universities in the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. DP results show destinations across these countries, including institutions such as the University of Amsterdam, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh.
Profile Fee includes elements for a bilingual profile such as instruction beyond the timetable, Assistant Teacher, individual support time, Talent Programmes and School Coaches.
H.I.S. prioritizes social, emotional and intellectual development. The MYP Homeroom Programme focuses on relationships and well-being as a core part of middle-school life, with a dedicated HRP that supports students' personal development and awareness of personal, local and global issues. Homeroom teachers serve as the first point of contact for non-subject concerns and provide guidance during times of success or challenge. The programme includes reflection and goal-setting to foster independent learning and balanced development. It reinforces international-mindedness and responsible action through Service as Action and related activities.
The learning community aims to be inclusive, living peacefully together by engaging with different ways of knowing and being and by assuming shared responsibility for learning, health and well-being. The school fosters an inclusive environment where all students have voice and ownership of their learning. The IB-based curriculum emphasizes inclusivity as a core principle across programmes.
Provide additional language support for English language learners, where appropriate.
The school focuses on social, emotional and intellectual development as part of its approach to well-being. The Homeroom Programme supports relationships and personal development, with a focus on self-management, resilience and reflection to promote balanced well-being for students across the IB programmes.
H.I.S. treats child safeguarding seriously.
Submit the online application form on the H.I.S. website. A confirmation email from Open Apply provides access to the admissions checklist. The checklist lists the required documents and the bank details for paying the Administration Fee.
Use the Open Apply checklist to upload supporting documents and to transfer the Administration Fee. The checklist includes the list of required documents and the school's bank details. Completing this step moves your application forward to review.
Wait for the result of the application review. Optional interviews can be organised. Enrolment is offered by email.
Fill in, sign and return the Enrolment Contract. Payment of the school fees is due upon receipt of the school fee invoice. For admissions to the Middle Years or Diploma Programme additional English language and academic prerequisites may apply.
A reduction of the Tuition Fees may be possible to encourage social diversity within the school. All applications and related financial information are dealt with on a strictly confidential basis within the school management. For information or to apply for financial assistance, contact the Admissions & Marketing Manager. The form “Application for Tuition Fee Reduction” must be submitted together with documentation of the family's total income, and must be submitted when applying for admission to H.I.S. and annually thereafter when students are re-enrolled.
Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year and will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Availability of space in a classroom may be a limiting factor at any time of the year.
Slevogtstraße 3-5, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany (HPC International School on the F+U Bildungscampus, opposite Heidelberg's main train station).
IB school, grades 1 to 12; English-language instruction; International School Diploma Programme.
Private, international school; part of Heidelberger Privatschulcentrum (HPC) within the F+U Group.
Intensive support and counseling; language support; socio-pedagogical supervision.
Germany
HPC International School is an IB World School offering the complete IB programme (PYP, MYP, DP). The Diploma Programme is recognized worldwide and is equivalent to the German Abitur. The school follows a bilingual concept, with classes also held in English; the German Language and Literature course qualifies native German speakers for the bilingual IB Diploma. In addition to German as a foreign language, students can learn Spanish and Chinese at differentiated levels. The campus is located in the south of Heidelberg, close to the city centre, with good public transportation connections. The school promotes international-mindedness and intercultural learning, with students from over 20 nations and worldwide university recognition.
The school accompanies students on the life journey and during the transition to university with career counselling. There is worldwide university recognition for the IB programme.
