Welcome to the homepage of the German International School of Paris

International orientation

The German International School of Paris has been a German School Abroad acknowledged and supported by the Federal Republic of Germany since 1958. It prepares pupils for the "Allgemeine Hochschulreife" (German leaving certificate recognised as university entrance) and the bilingual "AbiBac" (double qualification in German and French). Universities in Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and the United States are open to our graduates.

The iDSP is part of the network of German Schools Abroad and provides the security of a continuous education at a high level, which is especially important for families changing their location often. Swiss, Austrian and international families find equivalent curricula.

The school is governed by the "Deutscher Schulverein in Paris", which finances its activities through tuition paid by the parents and financial contributions by the Federal Republic of Germany. All parents at the school are invited to join this society in order to take an active part in the school's business.

Fostering individual talents

The iDSP provides a high quality education at all levels, from kindergarten through the middle school leaving certificates to the general qualification for university entrance. The reform of the education system which introduces final examinations after 12 years of school instead of 13 will be completed in 2011.

The tuition language is German. Foreign languages (German, French, English and Spanish) are taught monolingually. Some subjects are taught in two languages. The "Abi-Bac" programme implies lessons in French. German and French are taught as native and as a foreign language. A further chance for individual variation lays in the option between a branch for languages and a branch for science in the "Oberstufe" (upper school). Computer sciences are taught as part of various subjects.

An extensive range of supportive measures takes the children's and teenagers' individual talents and special needs into account. A tight follow-up is provided through individual measures within the group and through special tuition, such as supervision classes for doing homework.

The afternoon programme is optional and complements the lessons with musical and cultural activities as well as sport and games. A canteen is available, offering the students a warm, nourishing meal.

Schooling social competences

We take the old and true German saying "learning with head, heart and hands" seriously by regularly bringing a change into the lessons. During the school year, we schedule project and study days outside school, school trips, study visits, excursions and outings - irreplaceable stimulation for cross-linked learning and the development of personality.

Study groups are important for the development of social learning processes and overcoming personal constraints. The choir, orchestra and theatre groups as well as the sports events are often life-shaping experiences. Special work groups provide possibilities for individual development.

High educational standards

The successful syllabus of instruction of Baden-Wuerttemberg serves as a basis for the curricula of the various subjects. In order to keep up the high didactical and methodical standards, the school has committed itself to regular evaluations of its work within an educational quality management system.

The teaching staff is chosen according to strict criteria. Regular further education - partly in the network of German Schools Abroad - is an inherent part of the personnel management. The Federal Republic supports this assurance of quality by dispatching 12 selected teachers (including the head of the school), which complement the local teachers and consistently give important impulses.

First steps into the world - Kindergarten and primary school

The child in its integral development takes centre stage. The almost bilingual Kindergarten prepares children from 3 to 5/6 years old for the iDSP and this partly in preschool groups. Non-Germans learn the language and culture in a playful way and are equally fostered in their own language. The kindergarten offers warm meals in its own canteen.

The primary school conveys the German and French language in a differentiated way, for native speakers as well as non-native speakers. The all-day school allots two obligatory afternoons and many optional study groups which complement the lessons.

Modern infrastructure - ideal learning environment

The iDSP is located in the western suburb Saint-Cloud in a two-storied main building, two smaller single-storied blocks and a flat-topped building. It comprises of a large assembly hall (450 seats) with a stage and modern technical equipment, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and a small canteen. The primary school's hilly grounds, the nicely laid out schoolyard, the lawns, and the tall, old trees as well as the big bus-/car-park form a compact but airy whole which is safely enclosed.

The kindergarten called "Villa Kunterbunt" is situated at approximately 300 m from the main complex and can be easily reached by foot. Large, secured grounds and the pretty villa with its auxiliary buildings provide for various learning and supervision possibilities.

Simple and quick transport connections allow easy access to the centre of Paris. The school busses ensure safe transport between home and school.

Foster German culture while encountering Europe

Theatrical presentations, concerts, readings, literary days, parties, festivities and balls, guest performances, cultural cooperation with French and other partners - the iDSP organises high class events for a German, French and international audience. The school has become a cultural centre of encounter.

The German-French music school, which gives musical lessons in groups or in individual courses, takes an active part in these events. The "Ecole de Musique Franco-Allemande" (EMFA) is managed by volunteer staff and enriches the school life of the iDSP throughout the year.

Parents are partners

The respectful and trustful cooperation between school and home on the basis of shared principles is a precondition for successful educational processes and often a source of inspiration. Parents can take an active part in the school's development by becoming members of the school maintaining body ("Schulverein") and especially by becoming board members of this society. Parents who are involved in the organization of school life ease the integration of new families in their social. A very active supporting association ("Foerderverein") supports the school and edits the school's newspaper "KONTAKTE" as well as the handbook "Die Blauen Seiten", organises guided tours to town and museums, parents' sport and the parents' choir for interested people.

Learning German from the start

For French children from French primary schools, the "Wednesday school", with bilingual staff teaches the German language, culture and traditions (in the mornings). Children can participate if they are aged between 5 and 10 years old and can understand simple German sentences or are growing up as bilinguals. At the moment, there are three groups in the "Wednesday school". The participation is liable to a fee.