At our bilingual German-English secondary school, we live and breathe appreciation and togetherness. Going beyond the requirements of the Bavarian curriculum, we offer a wide range of programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting both the academic and personal development of each individual student.
Within the warmth and safety of our international school family, we will guide and support your child on their way to successful graduation. We are especially proud that in recent years our students have consistently achieved a 100% pass rate in the Abitur, with results well above the Bavarian state average."
Our school is state-recognised (e.g. accredited or anerkannt by the State of Bavaria) and supports your child until they obtain the Bavarian Abitur, arguably the most prestigious school qualification in Germany. This qualification opens doors worldwide and gives our graduates the opportunity to realise their dreams in higher education and their professional careers.
German and English are the two languages of our school, not only in the classroom, but just as naturally in the schoolyard. Our teachers teach in their native language, whether German or English, giving students authentic models every day. In this way, our students grow up naturally bilingual and, by the end of their school journey, are confident and competent in both spoken and written communication.
Our native-speaking teachers from English-speaking countries and our school community of more than 30 nationalities create a linguistically and culturally diverse environment. In this setting, students learn to look beyond their own horizons and grow into global citizens. This spirit is further strengthened in the IB Diploma Programme, offered alongside the Abitur, where “international mindedness” is at the heart of learning.
Our classrooms and specialist rooms are equipped with modern IT infrastructure that is regularly maintained to ensure everything runs smoothly. With high-speed WiFi available across the entire campus, digital learning is possible anytime, anywhere. Most importantly, our teachers use these excellent conditions to create contemporary, engaging lessons. A commitment that has been recognised with our award as a Digital School.
Through a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities, we help our students discover and develop their individual strengths and interests, while offering targeted support whenever needed. Our teachers act as dedicated mentors who care deeply about each young person’s well-being.
In our annual surveys, students consistently tell us that they feel well supported by their teachers and at home in our school community. Parents likewise value the open communication and strong partnership with our teaching staff.
In our lower school, we build on the successful work of our primary school while laying the foundations for increasingly independent learning. A special focus is placed on developing effective, long-term learning strategies in the subject Learning to Learn in Year 5. These strategies are revisited in later years during Class Teacher Time (CTT).
As part of our all-day programme, students complete most of their homework during supervised Study Times, ensuring structured learning and more free time after school.
Language learning also plays a central role: English is the first “foreign” language for all students from Year 5 onwards. In Year 6, they may choose between Latin and French as a second foreign language.
From Year 8 onwards, students choose between the economics stream and the languages stream. The two pathways differ only in the allocation of four weekly lessons, either to Economics & Law and Business Informatics, or to Spanish.
Economics Stream: At Phorms Munich, we place great emphasis on teaching economic relationships in a practical and age-appropriate way. Through projects, simulation games, and elective courses, students learn how the economy works and develop a sense of responsibility, entrepreneurship, and sustainable behaviour, preparing for university, careers, and active participation in society.
Language Stream: Students learn Spanish as an additional world language. In Year 10, Spanish learners also have the opportunity to take part in a student exchange with our partner school in San José, Costa Rica.
In Year 9, all students complete their first week-long work experience placement. By successfully passing Year 10, they automatically obtain the Mittlere Reife (intermediate school leaving certificate).
The goal of all our students is to obtain the Abitur at the end of Year 13 – and we are proud that in recent years, 100% of our graduates have achieved this, consistently outperforming the Bavarian average.
As a state-recognised secondary school, Phorms prepares all students take the official Bavarian Abitur, centrally coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs for all secondary schools (“Gymnasien”) in Bavaria. The examination includes three written and two oral exams in languages, natural sciences, and humanities. Within certain guidelines, students choose their own examination subjects, and oral examinations may also be taken in English.
Unlike other qualifications, the Bavarian Abitur provides a general university entrance qualification, granting access to all courses at all universities and colleges in Germany, regardless of the chosen exam subjects. This is possible because the three-year high school programme provides both breadth and depth in general education. The German Abitur degree is also highly recognised by universities abroad.
To support our students in shaping their futures, our career counsellors help them select suitable study programmes and universities and offer guidance throughout the application process – particularly for applications to international universities.
André Beinert
Head of School and Head of Secondary School
Bastian Becker
Deputy Head of Secondary School
Benjamin Bohn
Deputy Head of Secondary School
Cathrin Zondler
Secondary School Assistant
The target size of our secondary school classes is 24 children per class. The actual class size may be adjusted depending on educational and organisational circumstances.
Yes, it is possible to transfer to our secondary school after Year 5, provided academic requirements are met and we have places available. If you are interested in joining, even during the school year, please contact the Admissions Team directly. If you are interested in enrolling for the coming school year, please enquire online to receive further information.
Unfortunately, admission without knowledge of German is not possible. Very good or fluent written and spoken German is a prerequisite for admission as we do not offer a German language acquisition programme. For English, school-level proficiency is sufficient.
Yes, our secondary school is state-recognised and we teach according to the Bavarian curriculum. All students therefore take the rigorous and highly-regarded Bavarian Abitur exams in order to graduate. In addition to the Bavarian Abitur, as an accredited International Baccalaureate World School we offer particularly motivated students the opportunity to obtain either IB Certificates in individual subjects or the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
Applications for entry into Year 5 open in October of the previous year. For higher year levels, we accept applications on a rolling basis as long as places are available. Families interested in mid-year entry are kindly asked to contact our Admissions Team directly. If you would like to enrol your child for the coming school year or later, please submit an online enquiry to receive further information.
