Berlin Metropolitan School

Berlin Metropolitan School is an international school in Mitte, Berlin, Germany, serving kindergarten through grade 12. there are 1,135 students originating from 65 countries. There are around 146 staff members from 38 counties.

Tuition
It is a private school that charges an enrollment fee of 1,100 € and monthly tuition of €210 to 1,340 €, depending on grade level and yearly household income.

History
Berlin Metropolitan School (BMS) is the oldest and largest international school in Berlin Mitte, founded as a private school in the former East of the city in 2004. Initially bilingual and focused on gifted students, BMS transitioned into an integrated Secondary School focused more on being inclusive and welcoming with an international IB profile in 2006. They do not have any advanced classes independent of the IB program in the secondary section of the school.

Following negotiations in 2007, BMS acquired its current school grounds and buildings from the Berlin state government, investing in modernizing the campus. In 2016, a building in the back courtyard was acquired for future development. A major project in 2021, led by Sauerbruch Hutton, added modern learning spaces, two school libraries, an auditorium, and a rooftop terrace.

Criticism
In 2018, there was an incident involving a teacher at the school, which was also investigated by the public school authorities with regard to discrimination and racism at the school.

In a scientific 2016 study, two researchers from the WZB Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) found out that Berlin's private schools, including the Berlin Metropolitan School, were charging too high fees from parents. This violates the principle enshrined in the German constitution that "a segregation of school students according to the parents' wealth is not appropriate". The scientists came to the conclusion that the school should never have been granted a permit. This accusation was taken up in public and led to an intensified Governmental review of the school.

In the school year of 2022–2023, BMS offered a debate club as an after-school activity for secondary students. The clubs later cancellation—despite increasing demand—caused several parents to question BMS’s capabilities.

Authorizations
International Baccalaureate

Cambridge Assessment International Education

Senate of Berlin (Senate Administration for Education, Youth and Sciences)

Legal Status
Kindergarten and Preschool Center

Primary School – state-recognized substitute school, School Number 01P16

Integrated Secondary School – state-recognized substitute school, School Number 01P16

Upper Secondary School – state-authorized substitute school, School Number 01P16

Memberships
Council of International Schools (CIS)

Association of German International Schools (AGIS)

European Collaboration of International Schools (ECIS)