International School in Berlin, Germany

BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School:
Berlin Brandenburg International School (BBIS) is a private, state-approved, coeducational, English language day and boarding school serving the internationally-minded community of Germany's capital region and beyond. The BBIS campus including the boarding school is located in the village of Kleinmachnow, bordering the southwest of Berlin, on a large, quiet, wooded hill along Machnower lake.

Location and Facilities:

BBIS is located on nearly 400,000 square metres (100 acres) of forested land, on the shore of Machnower lake. The site, called the Seeberg, is very quiet, away from traffic and congestion, crisscrossed with peaceful foot and bicycle paths. Nearby is the Hakeburg, a castle rebuilt at the turn of the 20th century on the ruins of a medieval fortress.

The school is only a few minutes drive from the residential areas of southwest Berlin and the Brandenburg suburbs, and within short driving distance of Potsdam. It can easily be reached by car and public transport from Berlin and Potsdam.

The BBIS buildings provide large classrooms for the Elementary, Middle, and High School, including modern Science labs, two fully networked computer labs, two mobile wireless computer labs, a purpose-built design/technology area, art studios, music classrooms and practice rooms, a multi-purpose room, a performance and exhibition space, a study room for grades 11 and 12 students, and faculty and student lounges. In the last two school years BBIS built a new library, renovated its cafeteria, created an atmospheric performance and exhibition space in the "Heizhaus" building for music and drama performances, art exhibitions, and assemblies.

Between the buildings are a playground for the Elementary School students and one for the Middle and High School students.

Opposite the school buildings is the full-size artificial-turf sports field with a six-lane running track. In addition to a complete football apparatus, the field also includes a sand court for beach volleyball, basketball courts, and facilities for the high and long jump, discus throwing, and shot put. Floodlights and bleachers with seating for 820 spectators enable the school to host larger tournaments.

The BBIS sports hall includes three separate gymnasiums, audience seating, and a fitness room. The gyms, which can be combined into one large space, are fully equipped for basketball, volleyball, handball, indoor soccer, and tennis. Additionally, the hall contains a climbing wall, rings, climbing ropes, wall bars, and other professional-quality sports equipment. The sports hall is also used as an auditorium, theatre, and concert hall.

The boarding facility is located directly on the BBIS campus and offers newly renovated single and double rooms including private showers. A comfortable dining room, two kitchens, a laundry room, a large recreation room, a fitness room and a private courtyard enable the boarding students to truly feel at home and enjoy learning together. The extensive recreational facilities at BBIS are available to the students after school and during the weekends. Adult mentors live in apartments adjacent to the students' quarters and are responsible for the students' well-being during their time at BBIS.