Mission Statement
Munich International School inspires, challenges, and empowers our students to become academically successful, life-long learners, creative and innovative thinkers, ethical, globally-minded contributors, and healthy, well-balanced individuals who will thrive and make a positive impact in a complex and changing world.
IB Learner Profile
Our values are encapsulated in the IB learner profile. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them. All members of the MIS Community strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.
Seven Years, Three-Stars
MIS is a Three-Star Eco School, the first international school to achieve this award. MIS has received this highest award for the seventh year in recognition of the work our students and teachers have accomplished on sustainability and environment-related projects.
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 41 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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1300+
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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65+
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Most common nationality
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Dual-passport holders are highest %
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Ratio of local students to international students
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70% international, 30% local with high % of dual-passport holders
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Native English speaking teachers
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Yes
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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English language support is provided for students with varied English language proficiency in our Junior School (EC 4/5 - grade 4) and Middle School (grades 5-8).
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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German is taught as part of the curriculum for students in all grade levels.
French, Spanish and Mandarin are offered in Middle and Senior School.
Students studying in the IB Diploma Programme have the opportunity to select a self-taught language as a subject.
Additionally, students can access a Home Language/Multilingual Learning Programme taught as an After School Activity.
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Max. number of students per class
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Class size maximum of 24 is in effect. We aim to have between 18 and 22 students in a class.
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Average number of students per class
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18
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes, for certain grade levels
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Use of technology in the classroom
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Munich International School believes that a contemporary learning environment should reflect the technology-rich experiences available to students and staff outside schools. To this end MIS has, since 2008, provided one-to-one access to MacBooks for faculty and for students in grades 7, 8 and 10-12. In addition MIS provides a very low student to device ratio of both MacBooks and iPads, as appropriate, to younger students. Every classroom has interactive whiteboard technology. There is high speed wireless access for students, teachers and the whole MIS community.
Students in all grade levels have access to our Makers' Spaces which offer technology such as 3D printers, laser cutters, coding and computing, video and sound production.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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Yes, MIS has been able to adapt full distance instruction via
- Microsoft Teams
- Toddle
- ITS-Learning
- Microsoft 365
- and others
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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No
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External examinations or assessments available
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Depending on the grade level: MAP testing, MYP e-examinations, and IB Diploma exams
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Results in these examinations
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IB results of Class of 2024:
MIS Average Diploma Points: 35 points (the world average for 2024 is 30.1)
98% of MIS students completed the requirements for the full diploma (the world average pass rate is 80.1%)
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Junior School assigns 15 - 20 minutes of reading each night and additional homework only if necessary.
Middle School attempts to minimize homework.
Senior School requires a higher degree of homework.
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Approximate hours of homework given
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Junior School: 20 mins reading / day
Middle School: suggested 10 mins / day per grade level
Senior School: amount can vary in each grade level
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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The Class of 2025 saw nearly half of the graduates take advantage of a gap year to volunteer and intern. This is typical for MIS graduates. Immediately following graduation or after a gap year, essentially all graduates go on to pursue higher education at universities all over the world.
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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Yes.
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Learning support offered
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MIS has a team of dedicated learning support staff who support students in all three divisions of the school. These specialised staff provide small class lessons that are designed to meet student learning needs. Our specialised learning support staff collaborates closely with Homeroom and subject teachers to ensure that differentiated instruction meets the individual learning needs of all students in all their classes. Additionally, MIS has a school-wide Learning Support Coordinator who ensures that teachers can adapt instruction to the individual differentiation needs of your child.
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students
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The MIS Learning Support teachers also provide individualized learning services for students who are identified as gifted, able, and talented. Those students who are identified are provided enrichment through small group learning opportunities and further differentiated instruction in their lessons. Our gifted, able, and talented students also benefit from the breadth of different learning opportunities, ranging from elective subjects such as coding to innovative learning spaces such as the Maker's Lab where they can engage in advanced and individualised learning.
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Student access to education psychologist
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MIS students access a team of experienced on-site school counselors providing academic and social emotional support throughout the school day. MIS has close links with educational psychologists in the Munich area who provide services in a variety of languages. MIS school counselors and the learning support coordinator can help families access these external specialists, ensuring that MIS can collaborate with and implement the recommendations made by those professionals. External specialists also support students while at school in certain cases.
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Entry evaluation for students
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Yes, when MAP scores or other widely-accepted evaluations are unavailable, MIS admissions specialists will arrange for applicants to complete evaluations on our campus or externally. Our decisions are based upon the application materials submitted. It is possible that a discussion with the appropriate Principal/Head of School may be required.
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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English placement testing may be arranged depending on submitted documents, grade level and language proficiency of the student(s).
All Senior School students for whom English is not their Mother Tongue will take an English language placement assessment as part of the application process.
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Waiting list
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MIS is at capacity in almost every grade level starting at the beginning of each school year. Spots may be available in certain grade levels before or during the school year. It is possible that a waiting list may be brought into effect for any grade level at any time.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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We normally have a rolling programme of admission throughout the school year, subject to place availability.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes, subject to place availability.
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School start time
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9:05
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School finish time
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Junior School: 15:15
Middle and Senior School: 16:05
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Supervised care before/after school
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Students in grades 1-4 can take part in the After School Care programme.
All students can also take part in the After School Activities programme, which runs until 16:15 for Junior School children and until 17:45 for students in grades 5-12.
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School bus service available
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Yes. MIS provides an extensive bus service, to and from school for all students in all grade levels. We offer approx. 80 different bus routes covering approx. 80% of the areas in which MIS students reside.
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School provided lunches
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Yes. MIS has a cafeteria providing freshly prepared and cooked organic meals and snacks to students at lunch. Snacks are available to students taking part in After School Activities.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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Our caterer provides options suitable for many different types of dietary restrictions. Parents and students are encouraged to discuss requirements with the caterer.
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Uniform required
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No.
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Facilities at the school
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MIS has a one-of-a-kind building called the Learning NeXus, designed to allow for a multitude of functions, including deep learning, research, teleconferencing, symposiums, quiet reading, collaboration, workshops, and small-group classes. We have a Junior School Maker's Space and separate Middle & Senior School Maker's Space. Both of these facilities are fully-equipped with high-tech, low-tech, hand tools, and power tools. We have an audio/visual recording & editing studio and green room for student projects. MIS has a performing arts center and two black box theaters. Middle and Senior School students have design classrooms with woodworking and metallurgy tools. Many garden spaces exist around campus such as the Junior School organic garden as well as pollinator gardens in the Middle & Senior School areas. German language B students created a barefoot walkway in 2024. Many kilometers of walking and hiking and biking trails surround the school. Lake Starnberg is a couple of kilometers from school which is used for field trips, sailing courses, and other activities. The lakeside pool is used for swimming lessons for Junior School students during the school day as well as after-school-activities and swim competitions.
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Sports facilities at the school
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Olympic-sized 8-lane track and field complex, outdoor tennis and basketball courts, differentiated outdoor play spaces for early childhood and primary years. MIS boasts a new fitness and athletics complex which includes a quadruple gym, dance studio, and fitness center. MIS has a full suite of gymnastics equipment.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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Founded in 1966, Munich International School is an independent, non-profit IB World School (IBO) that has been authorised by the IBO since 1980. MIS is officially recognised by the Bavarian ministry of education and fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Set on a vast, forested campus, we are on a mission to inspire, challenge, and empower 1300+ students from over 65 different nations.
Munich International School nurtures, challenges and inspires our students to become:
academically successful, life-long learners,
creative and innovative thinkers,
ethical, globally-minded contributors, and
healthy, well-balanced individuals
who will thrive and make a positive impact in a complex and changing world.
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Teaching approach of the school
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MIS promotes excellence in learning and individual student growth and development through
- Integration of students' individual interests, needs, and goals.
- Outstanding teachers, many of whom are IB authors, examiners, curriculum leaders and workshop leaders.
- Engaging and future-oriented curriculum (inquiry, technology, making, innovation and multi-modal literacies.
- Holistic approach to education as the arts, music, drama, and even film are integrated into the curriculum.
- Over 60 activities are also offered in after-school programmes.
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Early Childhood and Junior School | Ages 4-10
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students between the ages of 4 and 10 years. It encompasses learning not just in the classroom but also through other means of learning within the whole community.
The PYP is an international, transdisciplinary programme designed to foster the development of the whole child by encompassing students’ social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to their academic welfare. Students develop an understanding of important concepts, acquire essential skills and knowledge, develop particular attitudes and learn to take socially responsible action.
The PYP combines the best research and practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant, challenging, engaging and significant educational framework for all children.
Middle School | Ages 11-16
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The MYP emphasises intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement—essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders.
It builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students to meet the academic challenges of the IB Diploma Programme (DP). At the end of Grade 10, students sit the eAssessments, i.e., the external MYP exams.
Senior School | Ages 16-18
MIS is one of the first International Baccalaureate-authorized schools in the world, awarded our first authorization in 1980. According to our 2021 reaccreditation evaluation report, MIS meets all of the standards for excellence in international education and exceeds 93% of the standards.
Our Senior School teachers and leaders are some of the pioneers of the IB Diploma Programme, making our educators more than qualified to guide MIS students through the Programme and find success.
Our Campus
Easily accessible from Munich, MIS takes full advantage of its 55-acre campus in an idyllic nature preserve near the city of Starnberg and the Bavarian Lake District.
Because our forested campus is a natural resource in itself and provides incredible outdoor learning and recreation opportunities, sustainability is a topic near and dear to our hearts. Preserving and supporting our natural environment is a top priority for the present and future of MIS. As of 2024, our campus is nearly 90% self-sufficient in energy consumption.
Through project-based learning, our students have earned MIS the ECO School Award for the 7th year in a row. The Landesvogelschutzbund (LBV) awarded their 3-star highest distinction to MIS for student-driven projects that tackle issues related to particular United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
