Preparing your child for a lifelong journey of learning.
Through our IB Primary Years Programme, we have created a cooperative, caring environment in which children engage with a challenging and comprehensive curriculum. Our students participate in this programme from ages 3 to 11.
Our Grade 1 to 5 class teachers and learning assistants work closely with the students to inquire, hypothesise and further develop their critical thinking skills. Dedicated Art, German, Music and Physical Education teachers collaborate to ensure that learning experiences are meaningful and developmentally appropriate, and to find new ways to extend our students’ thinking.
While we teach in English, we make sure to give our students exposure to German, our host language. Students learn German in small groups based on their level of acquisition, with both German Language and Literature and German Language Acquisition classes available in Grades 1 to 5.
Within our primary classrooms, we foster a strong sense of community. Children are encouraged to work both independently and together as they explore a range of stimulating topics. Our aim is to nurture globally-minded citizens with inquiring minds.
We aim for a class size of 20 students and will accept a maximum of 24. If there are more than 20 students in a class, we add a teaching assistant to ensure that all children get the support they need.
Your child’s homeroom teacher will teach Language, Maths, Science and Social Studies. Where possible, the work is trans-disciplinary - students focus on six in-depth units of inquiry over the course of the year.
In addition, students have classes in German, Physical Education, Art, Music and Library. These are taught by specialist teachers. Information technology is used throughout the subject areas as a tool to support learning.
Grades 4 and 5 take part in a weekly choir as part of the curriculum.
BBIS is an inclusive school. If your child has specific learning or language needs, specialised teachers are here to help them access the curriculum.
Your child can choose from a wide range of exciting and challenging extra-curricular activities each term. These may include soccer, cross country, karate, pottery, instrumental ensemble and many other activities and clubs.
We also take the students on a number of field trips in and around Berlin and Potsdam, and each class in Grades 1 to 4 takes an overnight trip. Grade 5 students go on a week-long field trip - a fun-filled week that fosters the development of leadership skills and consolidates their role as leaders of the Primary School.
We believe that all students should have a voice in the school. In Grade 6, students can be elected by their peers from Grades 2 to 5 to join the Student Council – which plays an important role in our school.
BBIS students become confident communicators, inquirers and learners who are curious about the world. We support them to develop independence and the ability to use their learning to contribute to the world through their actions.Maureen Sackmaster Carpenter, IB PYP Coordinator