Question 1

Is Enrollment possible all year or is there an application period?

Accepted Answer

The International School of Ulm / Neu-Ulm accepts applications all year round

Question 2

What are the school hours?

Accepted Answer

School begins each day at 8:15 , with students arriving between 8:00 and 8:15.
Monday to Thursday:
For Early Years the day ends at 15:00 
For Grades 1 - 12 the day ends at 15:45
Friday:
For Early Years and Grade 1 - 5 the day ends at 12:30
For Grades 6 - 12 the day ends at 14:00

At the end of instruction, students can stay to attend After School Activities or the After School Care Programme (Monday  - Thursday until 17:00, Friday until 16:00) at an extra cost.

Question 3

Can my child, who has limited English, succeed at ISU?

Accepted Answer

Many students enter ISU with little or no English, and usually they learn very quickly. Young children in particular learn languages quickly when they are surrounded by a new language all day. 
For older children, the speed at which they learn depends on the child. They are given extra support during class and by our support team. 
Because of the rigors of the IB Diploma programme, students entering Upper School will need to have a solid basis of English before we can consider them for admission.

Question 4

Should I speak English with my child at home?

Accepted Answer

You should only speak English with your child at home if your mother tongue is English. When learning a new language, it is important that a child continues to receive support in their mother-tongue. 
There is a direct connection between competence in a first language and effective learning of additional languages. The parents are a child’s primary mother-tongue role model. For younger children it is important that parents continue to read to their children in the home language and to ensure that vocabulary and fluency continue to develop.

Question 5

Which foreign languages are taught?

Accepted Answer

All students learn in English and have additional German lessons from EY all the way up to Grade 12.
In addition students learn French and/or Spanish from Grade 6 onwards.

Question 6

Will my child be expected to do homework?

Accepted Answer

When children are younger and learning to read it is important that they read at home most evenings. After children have learned to read and write, then they are asked to do homework which complements their learning in school. In general, students should be able to complete their homework independently. Homework will increase in quantity and level of challenge as the child progresses through the school.

Question 7

How many students are in a class?

Accepted Answer

The school has a maximum class size of 21 students. In exceptional cases, the class size may temporarily go over 21 students and we provide additional staffing to meet the needs of students. Having s small teacher/student ratio helps us to meet the needs of the individual learner and is an important aspect of the quality of education offered at ISU

Question 8

How are students challenged according to their individual talents?

Accepted Answer

Children who are gifted with special talents often succeed well in an international school because of the open-ended and differentiated nature of teaching and learning, the acknowledgement of a range of learning styles, the challenging nature of the program, and the positive and constructive atmosphere within the school. If students have special talents that cannot be met in the school, we will try to help parents find an alternative way of supporting these talents in the local community.

Question 9

Can my child transfer to another school after ISU?

Accepted Answer

At ISU, we teach children to be good learners and to be happy in confident in learning. They develop the ability to reflect on progress and to set new goals. They learn strong social skills. Children who develop these skills transition well into other school systems. If a child has developed a love of learning, resilience, and confidence then he/she will quickly overcome any initial difficulties.

Question 10

Can my child transfer to a German school after ISU?

Accepted Answer

ISU has the acknowledged status of “genehmigte Ersatzschule” from the Bavarian government. Normally children are able to transfer successfully into the local school system. For a transition during the middle and upper school years, the state schools hold entrance examinations for an adequate placement of the student.

Question 11

Does my child get a Grundschulempfehlung during 4th grade?

Accepted Answer

ISU does not issue a “Grundschulempfehlung”

Question 12

Where are the school’s diplomas recognized?

Accepted Answer

Students take IGCSE exams at the end of 10th grade which can be used to apply for the “Mittlere Reife” recognition by the Bavarian state. The IGCSE is also recognised internationally.

Students take the IB Diploma when they are 18 years old which is accepted for university admission all over the world. In Germany, the IB Diploma is considered the equivalent to the “Abitur” and can be used to apply for recognition by the Bavarian state as General Qualification for German University Entrance (Allgemeine Hochschulreife).

Question 13

Are students allowed to bring cell phones to school?

Accepted Answer

Students may bring items such as mobile phones, iPods, and MP3 players to school, but students must turn them off and keep them in their school bags while on school grounds unless a teacher specifically gives permission to use them.

Question 14

What items do school rules prohibit on campus?

Accepted Answer

Students may not bring electronic games or toys, pocket knives, or weapons of any kind. We also strictly prohibit alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes.

Question 15

Is there a student dress code?

Accepted Answer

Students should wear clothing that is clean and free of offensive graphics or language and large holes and tears.

Question 16

What supplies do students need for school?

Accepted Answer

We supply regular school materials such as books, notebooks, and folders (exception: IB Diploma books). Students should come prepared with basic learning items such as pencils, sharpeners, pens, rulers, erasers, and coloured pencils. Your child's homeroom teacher will send home a supply list outlining the items your child needs depending on the grade level. In addition, please bring the following items to school marked with the child's name:

- Rain jacket with a hood or cap
- Sun hat and sun protection during the hot season
- Plastic drinking bottle
- Sports clothing for P.E.
- Slippers/house shoes (EY through grade 5)
- For EY: an extra pair of pants, underpants, toothbrush, and toothpaste

Question 17

What if my child must be absent from school?

Accepted Answer

If your child will be absent from school, please inform the school on the first morning of the absence before 8:30 a.m. Alternatively, you can inform the school via Managebac if you child is absent. If your child must be absent for several days, please inform us about the approximate length of absence and let us know the reason. Please notify us in advance, in writing, of an extended absence as soon as you are aware of it.

Question 18

May parents volunteer at school?

Accepted Answer

We have an extensive parent volunteer program (Parent Partners), which provides the school with much-needed additional assistance in the classrooms, in the libraries, and with student supervision in physical education and swimming. If you would like to volunteer, please let us know!

Question 19

Do children in EY have German lessons?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they have 2x45 minute sessions a week of German. These are active sessions that include play and songs and can be held in the classroom or our garden with a German native speaker.

FAQ