Frankfurt International School

What Frankfurt International School does

Frankfurt International School (FIS) is a private, non-profit International Baccalaureate (IB) World School founded in 1961 in Oberursel, Germany, by six expatriate families from major international companies to meet the demand for English-language international education in the Frankfurt Rhein-Main region. The school operates two campuses — Oberursel (Preschool through Grade 12, ~1,600 students) and Wiesbaden (Preschool through Grade 8, ~200 students) — serving approximately 1,800 students from over 60 nationalities, with a faculty of 230 educators from 30 nationalities of which 50% hold advanced degrees.

FIS delivers the full IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3 through Grade 5, bridging programs in Middle School, and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11-12, where 90% of students pursue and earn the IB Diploma. The school supplements its core curriculum with 120+ academic courses in Upper School, 200+ REAL (Recreation, Enrichment, and Learning) Activities, 11 varsity sports, 30+ annual arts productions, 50+ student organizations, and 27+ service groups. The technology stack is built on standard international school platforms: Veracross (student information system), Canvas (LMS), Finalsite (website/CMS), and the Global Online Academy (online courses), with 1:1 device programs and STEM labs supporting in-classroom learning. FIS is a registered examination center for IB, PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams, and holds NEASC accreditation alongside founding memberships in ECIS (1965), ISST (1968), and the IB World School network.

The school's revenue model is tuition-driven and per-family, with annual tuition ranging from €11,590 (First Steps Age 3 half-day) to €31,365 (Grades 11-12), paid in advance or in installments with surcharges. Additional recurring revenue streams include bus transportation (the largest private school bus system in Germany, 50+ routes), REAL Activities, lunch services, and supplementary language programs. A Capital Assessment Fee of €6,600 for new students and an Annual Fund supported by the FIS Foundation (endowed with proceeds of a €26 million Stroth family bequest in 2015) supplement operating revenue. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the admissions office, augmented by a Corporate Partnership Program (minimum 4-year commitments from multinationals and diplomatic missions that secure reserved admission slots), community events, and word-of-mouth referrals within the expatriate and diplomatic communities of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main region.

Name

Frankfurt International School

Legal name

Frankfurt International School

Website

https://fis.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Frankfurt International School is a private, non-profit IB World School founded in 1961 operating two campuses in Oberursel and Wiesbaden, Germany, serving approximately 1,800 students from 60+ nationalities across Preschool through Grade 12.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK), Project-Based/Inquiry-Based Learning (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAN)

Keywords

• International Baccalaureate education
• K-12 international schooling
• Primary Years Programme
• IB Diploma Programme
• Expatriate student education

Headquarters

HQ city

Oberursel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments across multiple grade levels. Tuition is paid in advance at the start of the academic year or in installments. Alternative payment plans available including 55%/45% split with July and January due dates, or monthly payments with 3% surcharge.
2. Transportation Services: Bus service fees for the largest private school bus system in Germany, servicing over 50 different bus routes for students on both campuses.
3. REAL Activities Program: Extra-curricular classes for students and adults including music, dance, sports, STEM, and language courses. Over 200 course offerings each year with separate registration and fees.
4. Lunch Services: Cafeteria meal services provided to students with fees separate from tuition.
5. Annual Fund Donations: Philanthropic donations outside the operating budget supporting compassion and innovation initiatives, tuition reduction programs, and facility enhancements.
6. First Language and Identity Language Programs: Additional fees for students maintaining fluency in Korean, Japanese, or studying home/first languages like Mandarin, Arabic, or Italian.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Frankfurt International School delivers International Baccalaureate (IB) World School education for students aged 3 through Grade 12 across two campuses in Oberursel and Wiesbaden, Germany. The core offering spans the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Primary and Elementary Schools and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in the Upper School, complemented by athletics, arts, the REAL enrichment program, summer camps, English Language Acquisition support, bus transportation, and a private school bus system serving more than 50 routes.

Product overview

Frankfurt International School (FIS) is an educational institution offering a comprehensive IB World School program across two campuses (Oberursel and Wiesbaden). The school provides a unified educational experience comprising Primary School (Age 3-Grade 1), Elementary School (Grades 2-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School/Upper School (Grades 9-12) programs. All divisions follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in lower grades and the IB Diploma Programme in Upper School. Supporting the core academic programs are enrichment offerings including the REAL Activities Program (200+ extracurricular classes), Summer Discovery day camp, Athletics Program (11 varsity sports), Arts Program (visual, performing, digital arts), Student Organizations (50+ clubs), and Service Learning opportunities. The school also integrates technology platforms including Canvas LMS, Veracross student information system, and Global Online Academy courses. FIS serves approximately 1,800 students from 60+ nationalities across its two forest-surrounded campuses near Frankfurt.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary School Program Early childhood education program for children age 3 through Grade 1 following the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), emphasizing learning through play, outdoor education, and strong foundations for lifelong learning.
• Elementary School Program Elementary education for Grades 2-5 following the IB PYP Units of Inquiry, featuring STEM education, outdoor learning classrooms, Makerspace, Science Lab, and performing arts ensembles.
• Middle School Program Middle school education for Grades 6-8, bridging IB PYP to IB Diploma Programme preparation, including 11 sports teams, 46 leadership opportunities, and 15 arts opportunities.
• High School / Upper School Program High school education for Grades 9-12 offering IB Diploma Programme, High School Diploma, and access to Global Online Academy courses, featuring 120+ academic courses, service groups, and student organizations.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Founding IB World School IB Diploma Programme with 90% of students pursuing and receiving the IB Diploma and a 2025 average IB score of 36 points, one of the highest in Europe.
• REAL Activities Program Recreation, Enrichment, and Learning (REAL) Activities Program offering 200+ extracurricular classes for students and adults including music, dance, languages, sports, STEM, and martial arts, running three terms per year.
• Summer Discovery Day camp program held at Oberursel Campus during summer months, offering academic and social activities including STEAM, arts, sports, music, theater, and forest exploring for ages 4 through Grade 8.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive athletic program with 11 varsity sports teams including basketball, soccer, volleyball, rugby, swimming, tennis, track & field, baseball, softball, golf, and cross country, participating in ISST championships with 200+ championship wins.
• Arts Program Visual and performing arts from First Steps through Grade 12 including visual arts, digital arts, strings (Grade 1+), band (Grade 5+), dance (Grade 8+), choir, and drama, featuring 24 visual and performing art electives and 30+ productions per year.
• Service Learning Program Service learning opportunities supporting local and global communities including Kalahari Experience, Amnesty International, Clean Water Initiative, Operation Smile, and 20+ other service groups.
• Global Online Academy (GOA) Courses FIS membership in GOA provides high school students access to 25+ online courses including semester and summer programs taught by expert educators.
• Bus Transportation Service Largest private school bus system in Germany with over 50 bus routes servicing students on both Oberursel and Wiesbaden campuses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 average IB score of 36 points
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Baccalaureate OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding IB World School partner since the 1960s. FIS was among the first schools to pilot and offer the IB Diploma Programme, contributing to curriculum development and best practices for over 50 years. The partnership includes registration as an IB examination center.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIS holds NEASC accreditation, demonstrating compliance with rigorous educational standards. NEASC provides periodic review and accreditation services ensuring continuous quality improvement.
• Global Online Academy (GOA)coreTechnology or IntegrationFIS is a member of GOA, providing high school students access to online courses taught by expert educators. Students can take semester courses through GOA's platform, expanding academic offerings beyond FIS curriculum.
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of ECIS since 1965, renamed Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) in 2016. Provides networking, professional development, and collaborative opportunities with international schools globally.
• Association for German International Schools (AGIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of AGIS, representing international schools operating in Germany. Provides advocacy, networking, and professional development within the German international education context.
• International Schools Sports Tournaments (ISST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of ISST (formerly International Sports League) since 1968. FIS participates in the tournament organization and hosts/attends games across European destinations with over 200+ championship wins.
• Corporate Partner CompaniescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partnership Program with select companies sharing FIS's vision for world-class education. Partners provide advisory support, student internship opportunities, and speakers for Career Day. Minimum 4-year commitment with annual investment and reserved admission spaces for employee families.
• Diplomatic MissionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiplomatic missions participate in Corporate Partnership Program providing reserved admission spaces for diplomatic families. Partners benefit from diplomatic tuition rates and specialized support services.
• VeracrosscoreTechnology or IntegrationStudent information system and parent portal used for directory, logistics requests, absence reporting, and enrollment management across both campuses.
• Canvas LMScoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning Management System (Canvas) used for student coursework, assignments, and academic communication between teachers, students, and parents.
• HirebridgecoreTechnology or IntegrationRecruitment platform for faculty and staff hiring. All job applications submitted through Hirebridge system with candidate accounts and document uploads.
• Search AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational teacher recruitment platform used by FIS to recruit experienced educators from around the globe for teaching positions.
• SchroleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational teacher recruitment platform connecting FIS with qualified candidates for teaching and administrative positions worldwide.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International School of Munich: Munich-based IB curriculum school competing for the same expatriate and corporate-partner family segment. Comparable tuition levels, age coverage, and bilingual enrichment offerings make it a clear substitute for families choosing among German international schools.
• Bavarian International School: Munich-area IB World School serving similarly expatriate families with comparable tuition, age span (Pre-K through Grade 12), and corporate partnership channels. Closely comparable on academic framework, customer profile, and revenue model.
• International School of Brussels: Long-established IB World School serving the Brussels diplomatic and EU corporate community. Operates in a market with the same mix of multinational employees and diplomatic families, with comparable academic programs and tuition structure.
• International School of Geneva (Ecolint): One of the founding IB schools globally, serving an international Geneva community with strong ties to multilateral organizations. Closely comparable on academic reputation, IB framework, and expatriate customer composition.
• International School Frankfurt: Direct local competitor in the Frankfurt metropolitan area offering IB curriculum to expatriate families with similar tuition levels, age range, and corporate-family customer base. Operates multiple divisions through Grade 12, making it the closest substitute for FIS in primary catchment.
• Berlin International School: Berlin-area IB World School targeting international families in another major German corporate and diplomatic center. Same IB curriculum framework, similar tuition tier, and comparable reliance on corporate-channel partnerships.
• International School of Düsseldorf: Long-established IB World School in another major German corporate hub. Serves an overlapping expatriate and diplomatic customer base with parallel tuition pricing, providing a directly comparable operating model and competitive benchmark.
• Zurich International School: Swiss IB World School serving an international corporate and finance-sector community very similar to FIS's Frankfurt customer base. Premium tuition, multi-campus operations, and strong corporate partnership programs make it a strong cross-border benchmark.

Others

• Search Associates: International teacher recruitment platform used by FIS and its competitors to source faculty globally. While not a direct competitor, it is a shared infrastructure provider across the international-school peer set and represents an industry-level touchpoint.

Regional players

• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: Frankfurt-based educational institution serving an internationally mobile professional and family community. While primarily higher education, it overlaps in serving corporate international clientele and competing for educational mindshare among expat families in the Rhein-Main region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FrankfurtIntlSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/FrankfurtInternationalSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frankfurt-international-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/fis_school
• Xx.com/FIS_School

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Frankfurt International School