Good bilingual school in Heidelberg and surrounds

Heidelberg has a big American population, so I'm sure there are good English language schools.
However, since German public schools teach in German (there are only very few exceptions to this), almost all foreign language or bilingual schools are private and charge fees accordingly.
But many public schools have preparatory classes to prepare foreign kids for German schooling (incl. learning the language). Your kids would probably lose a year by this, but it might be the best option. Ask at the schools around your chosen residence if such classes are offered.

beppi wrote:

Heidelberg has a big American population, so I'm sure there are good English language schools.
However, since German public schools teach in German (there are only very few exceptions to this), almost all foreign language or bilingual schools are private and charge fees accordingly.
But many public schools have preparatory classes to prepare foreign kids for German schooling (incl. learning the language). Your kids would probably lose a year by this, but it might be the best option. Ask at the schools around your chosen residence if such classes are offered.

There are lots of Americans in Heidelberg because they are based in the military. The American kids go to DoDEA schools which are exclusively for active military families or civilian employees of the US military. Usually English language instruction is only available at expensive international/private schools. I've heard of schools that are bilingual but they are few and far between. I Googled the subject and found 2 private ones in Heidelberg, no public ones.

But I wouldn't worry too much. Kids that age tend to catch on quickly with the language and knowing Afrikaans and English is definitely a good help. Adding another related language that they will be immerged in is light years easier than if they only spoke one language, and  without Germanic roots.

Thanks for all the replies Beppi & Tomin! We will visit a couple of schools in the area when we arrive in Germany.

Hi Pacman1511,

I am in the same situation as you right now. Were you able to find any good bilingual schools? I also cannot afford the international schools and looking for schools that my children aged 7 and 9 can join. They are fluent in English apart from Hindi. We are from India.
Thank you.

Preethi.rajagopalan wrote:

Hi Pacman1511,

I am in the same situation as you right now. Were you able to find any good bilingual schools? I also cannot afford the international schools and looking for schools that my children aged 7 and 9 can join. They are fluent in English apart from Hindi. We are from India.
Thank you.

Children are very adaptable in learning a new language so I would not worry. There are no state bilingual schools. So if you wish to send your children to one I am afraid it will be a private/international school.

SimCityAT wrote:

There are no state bilingual schools.

Not quite correct: There are few (very few) of them, mostly where lots of foreigners live - e.g. in Berlin, for kids of diplomats. Not sure about Heidelberg, though: My quick Google search showed none (even the "Internationale Gesamtschule Heidelberg" is teaching in German).
But you're right about kids being adaptable. In my experience, at most a year of preparatory classes (which many schools offer for foreigners) will bring them up to speed, so they only lose a school year - and have the chance for a quicker socialisation and feeling at home in Germany.

beppi wrote:

SimCityAT wrote:

There are no state bilingual schools.

Not quite correct: There are few (very few) of them, mostly where lots of foreigners live - e.g. in Berlin, for kids of diplomats. Not sure about Heidelberg, though: My quick Google search showed none (even the "Internationale Gesamtschule Heidelberg" is teaching in German).
But you're right about kids being adaptable. In my experience, at most a year of preparatory classes (which many schools offer for foreigners) will bring them up to speed, so they only lose a school year - and have the chance for a quicker socialisation and feeling at home in Germany.

Meant in the area, sorry for the misunderstanding.

Thank you for your replies. I have been considering putting the kids in German schools. We have a few months before we move and planning to take up some lessons in German here.
I have been going through some public schools in Heidelberg... Would one of you be able to recommend any school I could get in touch with.. I would like something near SRH University, Heidelberg.
An international school is definitely not possible for me, so not considering it.
Thank you.

Hi Preethi,
Did you manage to decide on the schools for both kids?.  I am also in a similar situation, but, it will take few more months to decide.

Hi all,
We are moving to Heidelberg in January 2019. We are considering of staying in Rorhbach area, and we are looking for preparatory schools for our 4 year old.  I was wondering if there are any schools in that are that we should consider and reach out to.
Any advise will be highly appreciated!

At 4 years old, he will have no difficulty attending a normal German kindergarten and, by the time he is 6 and enters primary school, he will be well-prepared for a German public school (which are generally of good teaching quality - and free if charge!).