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Strengths Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction
IS Ruhr is a private international English-language day school in Essen, Germany, offering an IB World School curriculum from early years to the IB Diploma Programme. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs for ages 3–11 in English, with inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning. Grades 6–10 are a Middle Years Programme candidate school, Cambridge IGCSE is offered in Grades 9–10, followed by the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. Mittlere Reife after grade 10 via IGCSE and Internationales Abitur after grade 12 are recognised. The campus began in 2010 at Villa Koppers and moved to Moltkeplatz 1 in 2012; the Learn Atelier opened in 2017. IS Ruhr joined ECIS in 2024 and graduated its first cohort in 2024, with MYP candidacy progressing in 2025. English is the language of instruction in primary years. After-school care runs 7:30–8:15 and 16:00/17:00; activities include Drama Club, EY3 piano, and Choir. The Parents' Association supports the school.
International School Ruhr has instruction in English.
Location
Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61, Essen, Germany
Stages
Early Years; Primary Years; Secondary Years
Type
Private international English-language day school
Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 30 nationalities represented.
Country affiliation
Germany
School day structure
Early Morning Care starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:15. After School Activities run until 17:00 every day.
Fees
Annual tuition at International School Ruhr ranges from EUR 12,250 to EUR 19,000 for 2026/27.
Annual tuition and one-time fees (2025/2026 academic year)
- Early Years (EY1–EY3, ages 3–6): EUR 12,250 per year. Additional care options: - Early morning care (07:30–08:00): EUR 675 per year. - After-school care (15:30–17:00; Wednesdays 12:30–16:00): fee depends on booked activities (amounts not listed).
- Primary School (Grade 1–5): EUR 17,300 per year. Additional care options: - Early morning care (07:30–08:00): EUR 675 per year. - After-school care (15:30–17:00; Wednesdays 12:30–16:00): fee depends on booked activities (amounts not listed).
- Secondary School: - Grades 6–8: EUR 17,650 per year (08:15–15:35; Wednesdays until 12:35). - Grades 9–10: EUR 17,650 per year (08:15–15:35; Wednesdays until 12:35). Exam fees: charged separately according to published IGCSE exam fees. - Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma Programme): EUR 19,000 per year (08:15–15:35; Mondays + Thursdays coaching until 16:00). Exam fees: charged separately according to published IB exam fees.
- The published annual tuition amounts include online course books and materials, access to teaching and learning software, subsidies towards some school field trips, and pastoral support included within the school fees.
- Exam fees for external examinations (IGCSE and IB) are not included in the annual tuition and are charged according to the examination bodies' published rates.
- After-school activity charges are billed separately where applicable; specific per-activity amounts are not shown in the published fee schedule.
Boarding
- The school operates as a co-educational day school; no boarding fee line items are published.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The published 2025/2026 school-fee document lists annual tuition amounts but does not specify a billing schedule, instalment options, invoice timing, or late-payment terms in the published fee overview. (The school calendar for 2025/26 shows an academic structure with a first-semester end date of 30 January 2026 and 180 school days, but that calendar does not define fee instalment dates or payment deadlines.)
Other costs not itemised with amounts in the published fee document
- No explicit amounts for school uniform, transport/bus fees, catering/meals (if charged separately), insurance, or specific extracurricular activity fees are shown in the published 2025/2026 fee summary. Exam and certain activity fees are listed as charged separately.
Refunds
- A refund policy (for example, pro-rata refunds on withdrawal, refund deadlines, or conditions for refund of the admissions fee) is not specified in the published 2025/2026 fee document.
Fee payment options
- The published fee overview for 2025/2026 does not specify accepted payment methods (bank transfer, SEPA, credit card, direct debit, or other).
Brief note on gaps in the published fee information
- The school's published 2025/2026 fee overview provides clear annual tuition figures by year group and a one-time admissions fee, and it lists early-morning-care pricing where applicable. The published document does not supply per-term instalment amounts, a formal billing schedule, payment-method options, a detailed list of extras (uniform, transport, meal plans) with prices, nor a stated refund policy; exam fees and after-school activity fees are indicated as payable in addition to tuition but specific amounts are not given.
Academics
International School Ruhr teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
IS Ruhr is an IB World School offering education from early years to the IB Diploma Programme. Primary Years follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11, with inquiry-based and transdisciplinary learning. Grades 6–8 follow an inquiry-based approach and IS Ruhr is a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Grades 9–10 follow the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Grades 11–12 pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). Mittlere Reife is recognised after grade 10 via IGCSE, and Internationales Abitur after grade 12, while the IB Diploma entitles graduates to study at universities worldwide.
Exam Results
IB Diploma results since 2020 surpass the world average. The Diploma Programme is described as a preparation for university worldwide.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates have access to top German and international universities through the dual Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma programmes. The IB Diploma is generally recognised as a school-leaving certificate in Germany and is widely accepted by universities worldwide.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care is tailor-made by teachers; sessions allow students to clarify learning questions, review progress, and set new learning goals; personality development is part of the coaching.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction in Early Years; the school provides English as an Additional Language support.
Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care supports mental wellbeing through regular sessions, enabling reflection and goal-setting with teachers as part of personal development.
Admissions
Admissions
IS Ruhr welcomes new students year-round. Entry is possible at any time, provided age and academic requirements are met. To begin the process, complete the enquiry form on the online platform MySchool; an admissions team member will contact you to continue. During online admission, upload a confidential recommendation from your child's current school (Grades 1–12), three years of previous school reports, a copy of the child's passport, and the immunization record against measles. Admissions by stage: Early Years 1–3 accepts entrants at any time if age and academic requirements are met; Primary Years 1–5 can start at any time if space is available, with all documents received and up to three trial days in the potential class before a final decision; Secondary Years 6–12 can start at any time if places are available, after a placement test in English and Mathematics, followed by trial days and, for Grades 9–12, an interview with the Head of Secondary Years. The final stage is signing the contract and being informed of the start date. Apply now—limited places available. There is a Parent Referral Programme; for 2025–26 there are waiting lists in the Primary Years, so the Early Years Centre is the best route to secure a place.
Scholarships
Scholarships/Financial Assistance is available only for students entering Grades 1–12 (not for Early Years). Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are welcome from December to 31 January 2026. Applicants submit an Application Form, a confidential recommendation from their current school (for new students), full academic reports from the past two years, a personal statement, and family tax/financial documentation as requested. Short-listed candidates are invited to an interview at school and must complete an English proficiency test; final offers will be communicated by mid-March 2026. Scholarships/Financial Assistance are reviewed annually and are not guaranteed beyond the first year. Applications must be submitted in English.
Waitlist
There are waiting lists in the Primary Years; Early Years has spaces, making the Early Years Centre the best way to secure a place.
FAQs
What ages does International School Ruhr serve?
International School Ruhr serves students aged 3 to 18.
What curriculum does International School Ruhr follow?
IS Ruhr is an IB World School offering education from early years to the IB Diploma Programme. Primary Years follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11, with inquiry-based and transdisciplinary learning. Grades 6–8 follow an.
Where is International School Ruhr located?
Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61, Essen,.
What are the tuition fees?
**Annual tuition and one-time fees (2025/2026 academic year)**
- Early Years (EY1–EY3, ages 3–6): EUR 12,250 per year. Additional care options:
- Early morning care (07:30–08:00): EUR 675 per year.
- After-school care (15:30–17:00; Wednesdays.
How many students attend International School Ruhr?
The school has approximately 170 students.
What languages are taught?
English is the language of instruction. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is offered in the Early Years and Primary Years for students aged 3 to 12. Cambridge IGCSE is taught in Grades 9 and 10. The Diploma Programme (DP) is taught in Grades 11 and.
How does the admissions process work?
IS Ruhr welcomes new students year-round. Entry is possible at any time, provided age and academic requirements are met. To begin the process, complete the enquiry form on the online platform MySchool; an admissions team member will contact you to.
What facilities does the school have?
IS Ruhr is located at Villa Koppers, Moltkeplatz 61 + 1, Essen. The school opened at Villa Koppers for the 2010/2011 school year. It moved to Moltkeplatz 1 in Essen in 2012, within walking distance of Villa Koppers. In 2017, the Learn Atelier, an.
What extracurricular activities are available?
The school is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme for ages 3 to 11, the Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10, and the Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. English is the language of instruction. The IB and Cambridge curricula emphasize.
When was International School Ruhr founded?
International School Ruhr was founded in 2010.
What accreditations does the school hold?
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorization (2013) to deliver PYP for Early Years and Primary Years; Cambridge IGCSE provider accreditation and Cambridge International Examinations examination centre (2013); IB Diploma Programme (DP).
