Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Leipzig
Summary: If you're moving to Leipzig with kids, choosing a school if often your first decisions and impacts where you'll live. Here are some popular bilingual and international schools in Leipzig
Leipzig, is a vibrant city that has become increasingly popular among expats and digital nomads, thanks to its rich cultural scene and affordable living costs. While Leipzig is not as large as cities like Berlin or Munich, it offers a selection of international and bilingual schools catering to the needs of expat families. Among the most popular are the Leipzig International School and the Freie Grundschule Clara Schumann, which provide high-quality education with an international perspective. Here is a list of some of the international or bilingual schools in and around Leipzig that are suitable for expat children.
Leipzig International School (LIS)
Grades: Nursery to Grade 12
Location(s): Könneritzstraße 47, 04229 Leipzig
Website: www.lis.school
Leipzig International School is an independent non-profit day school that offers an international education in English from Nursery to Grade 12. It follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and boasts a diverse student body representing over 70 nationalities. The school provides modern facilities, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a supportive learning environment.
Freie Grundschule Clara Schumann
Grades: 1 to 4
Location(s): Fregestraße 27, 04105 Leipzig
Website: www.clara-schumann-grundschule.de
This bilingual (German/English) primary school offers a unique educational experience for children in grades 1 to 4. With a focus on music and arts, the Freie Grundschule Clara Schumann integrates creative learning with traditional subjects. The school is known for its individualized approach to education and fostering a close-knit community.
International School of Leipzig (ISL)
Grades: Preschool to Grade 12
Location(s): Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße 1, 04109 Leipzig
Website: www.isleipzig.com
The International School of Leipzig is another excellent option for expat families, offering the IB curriculum for students from Preschool to Grade 12. With state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs and sports areas, ISL is dedicated to providing a holistic education. The school also emphasizes language development and cultural understanding.
St. Thomas School (Thomasschule zu Leipzig)
Grades: 5 to 12
Location(s): Hillerstraße 7, 04109 Leipzig
Website: www.thomasschule.org
While not exclusively an international school, St. Thomas School offers a bilingual branch with classes taught in both German and English. Known for its historical association with the St. Thomas Boys Choir, the school provides a rigorous academic program alongside musical education. It caters to students from grade 5 through to the German Abitur.
Forum Thomanum Leipzig
Grades: Preschool to 4
Location(s): Schreberstraße 5, 04109 Leipzig
Website: www.forum-thomanum.de
Forum Thomanum Leipzig is an educational campus that includes a bilingual preschool and primary school. The institution is committed to fostering intercultural understanding and offers a curriculum that integrates both German and English instruction. The campus also features a music school, emphasizing the importance of arts in education.
Cambridge International School
Grades: 1 to 10 (expanding to Grade 12)
Location(s): Currently in the process of accreditation and location establishment
Website: www.cambridgeinternational.school
The Cambridge International School is a new addition to the educational landscape in Leipzig, aiming to offer the Cambridge Curriculum to students from Grade 1 to Grade 10, with plans to expand to Grade 12. The school's mission is to provide an inclusive and diverse learning environment with a focus on academic excellence and global citizenship.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.