Structure

The Bavarian International School was established in 1990 to offer an English language based education to children from the international community in the north of Munich. The school opened officially on February 19, 1991 offering Pre-school to Grade 1 with only 6 students and one teacher, Ms. Pam Sonntag. The following year classes from Pre-school to Grade 5 opened, adding classes each year until reaching the milestone of its first graduating class of 17 students in 1997. 

In August 1998 the school moved from its start-up location in office block buildings in Schwaig to a beautiful permanent home in Haimhausen.  Set in a green and peaceful park-like environment, the impressive and historic mansion known as Schloß Haimhausen was renovated and adapted into classrooms and offices for the Upper School, and adjacent modern, purpose-built facilities to house lower school classrooms, science rooms, a library, and a sport hall were added. The school's current enrolment of 950 students represents over 45 nationalities, with approximately 55 students in the graduating class.

At BIS we provide a caring and committed international community through:

• The Primary School: inspiring and challenging young minds from Pre-reception through to Grade 5 through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP);
• The Secondary School: inspiring and challenging young minds from Grade 6 to Grade 12 through the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP – Grades 6 -10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 and 12).

Within this community we provide whole school services through:

• The School Director
• The Business Director
• The Principals and Assistant Principals
• The Curriculum
• The School’s Libraries
• The English as an Additional Language Programme
• The Learning Support Programme
• The Co-curricular Programme
• The Community and Service Programme
• The Student Councils

Organisation

The Director works closely with the Principals and the BIS Leadership Team in the operation of the educational programme, and in connection with staff, students, parents and community, and with the Business Director in the area of administration and support systems.

The Business Director manages the business side of the school's operations within the Finance, Facilities and Administration section of the school in support of the school’s Director. These responsibilities include budget development and financial management, security, building maintenance and construction, grounds maintenance, cleaning and catering.

The BIS Leadership Team comprises the Director, the Business Director, the Primary and Secondary Principals, the Primary and Secondary Assistant Principals, the Head of Information Technology and the Human Resources Manager. The team meets regularly to ensure excellence in teaching and learning and in the smooth and consistent operation of the school and its facilities.

The Primary School Principal is assisted by the Primary School Assistant Principal. Together they supervise the implementation of the BIS curriculum in line with the IBPYP curriculum and curriculum framework. They also provide professional development and encourage their teachers to lead professional development for each other in weekly staff meetings.

The Secondary School Principal is assisted by three Assistant Principals who assist in ensuring academic excellence and best practice in our classrooms through the IBMYP, the IB Diploma Programme and our Pastoral Care Programme.  This team meets regularly with the Secondary School staff members. Curriculum Leaders in the Secondary School support the Secondary School leadership team through their work on a daily basis with the teachers in their departments.  These departments include:

• English
• German
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities
• The Arts
• Physical Education
• Languages
• Technology

Whole school coordinators further support the BIS leadership team by ensuring consistent processes and practices throughout the school in relation to:

• Community, Action and Service
• English as an Additional Language
• Learning Support