International schooling IBIS continues efforts for middle school
HEIDERHOF · Although the Bonn school committee turned down an IBIS request for middle school expansion, a parent group has formed and will press on with the concept.
Independent Bonn International School (IBIS) will continue with its efforts to become a recognized foreign or international supplementary school for middle school years. School director Irene Bolik said, “Parents at our school have formed a working committee to expand the school as they are interested in the future of IBIS as a school that offers continued education after the primary years.” She supports these efforts.
Although Bonn city administration officials had given a green light to the plans for expansion, the Bonn school committee had rejected the proposal. They based their decision on the belief that another secondary international school would lead to an oversupply in Bonn and result in international pupils being separated from the rest.
Bolik says IBIS has previously offered middle school years 6 to 8 with the status of recognized supplementary school. With a growing United Nations (UN) in Bonn, parents will expect a choice of schools. “We want to offer the Cambridge international curriculum which is otherwise not offered in Bonn,” explains Bolik. The so-called IGCSE international qualification is for 14 - 16 year olds. Bolik said she would be happy to cooperate with other schools offering the German Abitur or the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB).
IBIS had turned in their application for review as well to the NRW Ministry of Education which turned it down. On Monday, the Ministry did not have any further information about the application. (Orig. text: es)
