Parent
Platanus used to be a very good school but since they exchanged their headmaster against a school leadership team (SLT) various things have changed for the worse.
To start with something positive: German kids learn English very quickly at Platanus. This is because nearly all the lessons are in English. English speaking kids have problems learning German, and even German kids struggle with German reading and writing. Parents complaining about that are told to find another school for their kids.
The academic level, which used to be okay, has dropped dramatically in the last couple of years. The primary school is still okay, it is comparable to a state primary school. The middle school is now comparable to an average state Sekundarschule in Berlin. The academic level is far from that of a Gymnasium.
As a parent you are somehow helpless because it is very difficult to get to know anything about whether your kids are making progress at school. The kids are graded all the time but unless parents go to school regularly and look through all their child’s materials they do not know what’s going on. As for the oral grades, even the kids are not informed about all of these grades.
The teachers are often frustrated. They are not allowed to decide anything. Everything is decided by the SLT. The staff turnover is enormous. The school especially has difficulties getting German speaking teachers. We have talked to several teachers who left Platanus. They all mentioned the SLT as the main reason. Our kid told us that one of the SLT members talks in a very rude manner not only to kids and parents but also to teachers - in front of the kids!
Right now the school is trying to set up classes 11-13. This process is entirely chaotic. Students are talked into choosing certain courses just because the school tries to avoid offering more courses than absolutely necessary for the number of students they have.
↳ Reply from Platanus School Berlin 
Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify a few points for accuracy and context.
Platanus Schule Berlin has had a School Leadership Team structure for the 6th year running, which has proven efficient and responsive, ensuring decisions are based on regular dialogue with students, staff, and parents.
Our team includes over 50 teachers. Annual staff surveys consistently show high satisfaction. Naturally, some teachers move on, and occasionally, this is a mutual decision, as we maintain clear expectations for professionalism and collaboration that not everyone is able to meet. The fact that decisions are made by the SLT is standard for any school; all four headteachers still teach, ensuring decisions are grounded in daily classroom experience.
Regarding language learning, we recognise the challenges of learning German in Berlin, an issue affecting all schools. Unlike many schools, including Gymnasiums as the commenter mentions, where lessons are often cancelled and one teacher may have 30+ students, every German and English lesson at Platanus is co-taught by two fully-qualified teachers. This allows for personalised support, and lessons continue even when one teacher is absent, with subject-specific cover if both are away.
As a Gemeinschaftsschule, we are proudly inclusive rather than selective. Our students represent a wide range of abilities, supported through team teaching, after lessons support, and consultations. We teach the official Berlin-Brandenburg curriculum (and a deeper English curriculum for bilingual learners). Since opening our Abitur, most of our 6th grade students with a 1.0 Förderprognose have stayed with us, alongside others of varying academic profiles, something we see as enriching.
Parents receive full transparency: homework and updates are shared online daily, detailed learning plans are sent three times a year, and we offer parents the chance to meet any teacher they want twice a year (November and March). Having said that, the teachers' goal is to use the majority of their working time planning and delivering great lessons, and giving feedback to students, not to keep parents up to everything they do. If parents email teachers asking for an update, it's certain they will get a response within 4 working days.
Finally, setting up Years 11–13 (Abitur) is a major, carefully managed process conducted with guidance from the Schulaufsicht (Berlin school authorities) and partner schools. Course choices are made by students and parents, supported by teachers’ recommendations.
We remain committed to a high-quality, bilingual, inclusive education, with strong teaching continuity, academic ambition, and a respectful community. We understand our approach may not suit everyone, but our students’ engagement, results, and long-standing team and families speak for themselves.
3 other reviews for Platanus School Berlin - (Reviews aren't verified )
Other
The most special thing about this school are the diverse school body and a few great teachers and erzieher who really care about their students and their profession. The smaller class size is also a positive and the range of AGs offered by staff. However, there are also those who, in general, use outdated authoritarian pedagogical methods, (yelling in an exaggerated manner at kids, belittling children in front of the group.)
↳ Reply from Platanus School Berlin
Other
The school is very good especially the schools atmosphere.
↳ Reply from Platanus School Berlin
Other
This school is great , I recommend this school Platanus Schule Berlin for everyone. The schools environment is neat and beautiful. Class rooms , Music rooms, Computer Lab , and Science Lab are on point I like this school . Especially when you take a 360 turn veiw in the schools pictures 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏😄