FAQs
What kind of school is the FIS?
The Franconian International School is an international school which provides an English-language education for students heading out into a global world. The FIS community encourages compassion, tolerance, respect, self-knowledge, care, and excellence. The FIS is committed to high academic standards, providing students with skills and techniques to enable them to face the challenges of different school systems in a supportive environment in which the student is an active participant.
Where is the FIS?
In August 2008, the FIS moved to a purpose-built campus in the Röthelheimpark in Erlangen, the university and high-tech town located 20 km north of Nürnberg, Germany.
Who goes to the FIS?
Students at the FIS come from the region around Nuremberg in the northern part of Bavaria. The FIS educates students from all over the world regardless of race, sex, religion, nationality, or ethnic background.
How big is the FIS?
There are more than 500 students from nearly 40 countries attending classes from three-year-olds in their first year of Kindergarten to Grade 12 students preparing for the International Baccalaureate Diploma or FIS High School Diploma.
How big are classes at the FIS?
We have an excellent pupil/teacher ratio with a maximum of 22 students per class in the Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Our Kindergarten classes are even smaller.
Are FIS qualifications recognised?
Both the IB Diploma and the IGCSE are recognised internationally as school leaving certificates. Students who graduate with the IB Diploma routinely gain admission to some of the best known universities in the world. As well, under certain conditions, both the IB and the IGCSE can be transcribed in Munich by the Bavarian Ministry of Education and Culture as equivalent to the Bavarian Abitur and Realschulabschluss (Mittlere Reife) respectively.
The FIS High School Diploma is recognised in Bavaria as equivalent to Realschulabschluss, and for entry into a number of American colleges through our accreditation with New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). As well, in combination with a SAT score of 1300 or above, a FIS High School Diploma is recognised for study in German universities.
What if my child can't speak English?
Children learn languages very quickly, especially if they are surrounded by the target language, so this is not usually a problem for the younger child. The rate at which children learn varies according to their natural talent, application and the level of support they receive. For some, understanding comes quickly, but the confidence to speak takes a little longer to develop. The FIS has an ESL (English as a Second Language) Program which provides both pull-out and push-in support to students in selected classes until they are ready to be part of mainstream lessons across the curriculum.
Is there a cafeteria at the FIS?
Yes. The FIS offers hot lunch and a Salad and Sandwich Bar. The hot lunch option currently consists of a hot main course and dessert, either international or vegetarian.
Is there a school bus?
The FIS bus service provides a service to around 200 of our students. Bus fees are charged according to the distance between home and school. For further details, click here.
What extra-curricular activities are offered at the FIS?
The FIS offers one 10-week program of varied activities each semester as part of our After School Activities Program or ASAP. Each activity runs for an hour at the end of the school day, once per week. Offerings range from playground, stories and board games for the younger students to crafts, sewing, art, cooking, chess, sports (eg indoor cricket, floor hockey, badminton), music theatre, Jazz Band, choir to homework help in a range of subjects (German, English, Art, Spanish, Mathematics, IT) and the Model United Nations.
There is also a After School Sports Program offered at the FIS including soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, racquet sports and track and field. For more information see the section "School Life/Sports".
How do I apply?
For every prospective student, we need an application for admission and the Academic Information Form, previous school reports, payment of the registration fee (not a guarantee of enrollment) and for students other than those applying for entry into our Kindergarten classes, work samples. All inquires can be directed to the Admissions Department via admissions@the-fis.de or call +49 (0)9131-940390. We look forward to hearing from you!
Are FIS teachers qualified?
All our teaching staff are qualified internationally as well as under German law to teach at the FIS, and all, who need to have English as a first language, do.
What do I have to do if my child gets sick?
Please call the school +49 (0) 9131-940390 between 8:30 and 9:00.
If you know in advance that your child will be absent for several days, please notify the school office.
Please notify the school office if your child has a contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, pink eye, head lice and scarlet fever.
Students arriving late must be signed in at the reception.
Students being taken from school before the end of the school day must be signed out at the reception by a parent.
What are the school hours?
Elementary and Middle School: 8.35 to 15.40 from Mondays to Thursdays and 8.35 to 14.05 on Fridays.
High School: 8.35 to 15.40 from Mondays to Fridays.
How much do I have to pay for school fees?
You will find the detailed listing of school fees under the section "Admissions".
