High School programs in Germany
We offer three different High School programs in Germany. These are Classic High School, the Combo program and Select High School.
Read more about the different programs below and find out which one suits your student the best!
Quick facts
- Age of students: 15–17 years
- Departure: August/January
- Language requirements: Proof of A2 German knowledge, stable English skills, possibility for students with low or limited German skills can attend German foreign Language Classes (limited to 5 spots)
- Region choice: Yes, special requirements and deadline apply
- City choice: Yes, for Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne (special requirements and deadline apply)
- Soft Landing Camp: Yes, in Mannheim
Classic High School – the standard exchange program
Our High School program is the Classic High School program, where students get matched with a caring family somewhere in Germany. It is the perfect program for those who are looking for a genuine German exchange experience. After students are paired with a host family, the search for an excellent High School in the nearby area begins.
Our host families live all over Germany. Maybe students will experience the German way of life near the big cities of Berlin, Hamburg or Munich, in the countryside around vast fields and beautiful nature or somewhere along the coast in northern Germany. Either way, they can be sure to get a unique and unforgettable experience of the country.
Region choice at an additional cost
For those who have a wish of being placed in a particular region in Germany, it is possible to add an region choice at an additional cost.
Please note that the number of spots available on each regional choice are limited. To guarantee a spot, we recommend to send applications as soon as possible. Deadline for programs starting in summer is in late February, and deadline for programs starting in January is in late September. First come, first served!
City choice at an additional cost
Students who wish to be placed in a particular city can add the city choice at an additional cost.
Please note that the number of spots available on each city are limited to one per city. Deadline for applications with a city choice is in late February. City choice is only available to students with a German level of A2 who have no allergies, no dietary restrictions, whose grades are an average of B+
Contact us
Combo – Germany + 1
With DFSR and our partner offices, students get a unique opportunity to experience High School life in both Germany and another European country. They can choose between spending their exchange year in Germany and Spain, Italy or France. This is the optimal option for those who are interested in studies in two different European countries and want to learn two different languages in one year. Students can enrol in our Combo programme to maximise their High School exchange in Europe to the fullest.
If students choose to spend their exchange year in Germany and another European country, their big adventure will start at the Soft Landing Camp in the country they choose as their first destination. They then move on to their first host family where they spend one semester before continuing the adventure in the second country. The Soft Landing Camp can only be chosen for programs starting in fall.
For the Combo program, you can choose to travel back home for Christmas before moving on to your next exchange adventure in your new country.
Contact us
Choose between two schools in our new Select High School program! Your students can attend Schloss Neubeuren, a boarding school in Bavaria, or Cologne International School which is a boarding and a day school.
Schloss Neubeuren
In the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, this is a historic school with a global focus.
Highlights:
- Multiple years available
- Intensive German Foreign Language classes for all arrivals with gradual integration into mainsteam curriculum once the necessary linguistic level has been reached
- Students are able to sit the German Abitus exams (muliple year study required)
- Outstanding STEM provision with a focus across the school
- Variety of weekend activities inclusing skiing, abseiling, football and much more
Cologne International School
Located in the most vibrant of cities in Germany, Cologne International School prepares high school students for the IB Diploma. Applicants are able to study in English, whilst also participating in some classes in German. The campus has been newly developed and offers an outstanding stury opportunity for international students.
Highlights:
- Multiple years available
- Curriculum in Englis, Grades 11-12 following the IB Diploma and Grades 9-10 preparing for the iGCSE syllabus
- Variety of weekend activities including sports such as football and volleyball
- Day school option also available for semester and year students
Classic High School – the standard exchange program
Our High School program is the Classic High School program, where students get matched with a caring family somewhere in Germany. It is the perfect program for those who are looking for a genuine German exchange experience. After students are paired with a host family, the search for an excellent High School in the nearby area begins.
Our host families live all over Germany. Maybe students will experience the German way of life near the big cities of Berlin, Hamburg or Munich, in the countryside around vast fields and beautiful nature or somewhere along the coast in northern Germany. Either way, they can be sure to get a unique and unforgettable experience of the country.
Region choice at an additional cost
For those who have a wish of being placed in a particular region in Germany, it is possible to add an region choice at an additional cost.
Please note that the number of spots available on each regional choice are limited. To guarantee a spot, we recommend to send applications as soon as possible. Deadline for programs starting in summer is in late February, and deadline for programs starting in January is in late September. First come, first served!
City choice at an additional cost
Students who wish to be placed in a particular city can add the city choice at an additional cost.
Please note that the number of spots available on each city are limited to one per city. Deadline for applications with a city choice is in late February. City choice is only available to students with a German level of A2 who have no allergies, no dietary restrictions, whose grades are an average of B+
Combo – Germany + 1
With DFSR and our partner offices, students get a unique opportunity to experience High School life in both Germany and another European country. They can choose between spending their exchange year in Germany and Spain, Italy or France. This is the optimal option for those who are interested in studies in two different European countries and want to learn two different languages in one year. Students can enrol in our Combo programme to maximise their High School exchange in Europe to the fullest.
If students choose to spend their exchange year in Germany and another European country, their big adventure will start at the Soft Landing Camp in the country they choose as their first destination. They then move on to their first host family where they spend one semester before continuing the adventure in the second country. The Soft Landing Camp can only be chosen for programs starting in fall.
For the Combo program, you can choose to travel back home for Christmas before moving on to your next exchange adventure in your new country.
Choose between two schools in our new Select High School program! Your students can attend Schloss Neubeuren, a boarding school in Bavaria, or Cologne International School which is a boarding and a day school.
Schloss Neubeuren
In the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, this is a historic school with a global focus.
Highlights:
- Multiple years available
- Intensive German Foreign Language classes for all arrivals with gradual integration into mainsteam curriculum once the necessary linguistic level has been reached
- Students are able to sit the German Abitus exams (muliple year study required)
- Outstanding STEM provision with a focus across the school
- Variety of weekend activities inclusing skiing, abseiling, football and much more
Cologne International School
Located in the most vibrant of cities in Germany, Cologne International School prepares high school students for the IB Diploma. Applicants are able to study in English, whilst also participating in some classes in German. The campus has been newly developed and offers an outstanding stury opportunity for international students.
Highlights:
- Multiple years available
- Curriculum in Englis, Grades 11-12 following the IB Diploma and Grades 9-10 preparing for the iGCSE syllabus
- Variety of weekend activities including sports such as football and volleyball
- Day school option also available for semester and year students