John F. Kennedy School (JFKS)
International School in Berlin
Quick answer
John F. Kennedy School (JFKS) Berlin is a unique American-German bilingual public school founded 1960, serving 1,700 students with both German and American passports.
Key facts
- Curriculum: American, Local+English leaving qualifications include US Diploma and AP and Abitur.
- Tuition: $500–$3,000/yr published in EUR, US$ equivalent.
- Ages: 6-18 age range accepted.
- Accreditations: MSA verified.
1,700
Available
MSA
US Diploma and AP and Abitur
WhereNext Analysis
John F. Kennedy School (JFKS) Berlin is a unique American-German bilingual public school founded 1960, serving 1,700 students with both German and American passports. The school offers a US Diploma plus AP plus the German Abitur trilingual pathway, accredited by MSA. As a state-funded public school, fees are nominal compared with private peers — true annual cost runs around $2,170 USD. Admissions are highly selective; best suited to families with German residency seeking American-German bilingual education within Berlin's public system.
About John F. Kennedy School (JFKS)
The John F. Kennedy School is a bilingual, bicultural German-American tuition-free public school. The school’s bicultural, bilingual program is up-to-date and future-oriented. It is also a guarantee for the partnership between the United States of America and Germany with its very special, historically founded meaning for Berlin. The John F. Kennedy School considers it its educational mandate to develop the student’s entire personality. From the Entrance Class to the Abitur or High School Diploma Sports, Music, Drama and Art all play an essential role. The use of new technologies, the changing view of contents as well as a focus on the learning process itself play a defining role. Preparing the students for coping with ever faster developing social and global changes, learning communication and team competence, and taking over responsibility for others are just as crucial.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition (USD) | $500 – $3,000 |
| Annual tuition (EUR) | 0-0 |
| Fee year | 2025-2026 |
| True annual cost (with hidden fees)how we calculate | $2,170(+24%) |
| First-year total (with registration + deposit) | $3,670 |
| Cost position in Berlin | 7th percentile(budget-friendly) |
Hidden costs & fee notes
German-American bilingual state school. Minimal fees (state-funded, ~€500/yr). US High School Diploma + German Abitur. Highly competitive admission.
American, Local+English
US Diploma and AP and Abitur
Students at the John F. Kennedy School work towards the German Abitur, the American High School Diploma and Advanced Placement Program, or towards both. JFKS does not offer the IB program.
French, Spanish
In the elementary school JFKS is able to effectively help students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD), perception processing disorders and milder forms of Asperger Syndrome/Autism Spectrum Disorder. The school is also able to serve hearing- and sight-impaired or physically- or mentally-handicapped students, if outside support is provided by the school district, the child’s parents, the health insurance company or the employer of the child’s parents.
The John F. Kennedy School is dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment for all students, including those with certain special learning needs. JFKS does not offer a full special education program, and in individual cases it is sometimes determined that the special needs of a student would be more effectively met in a monolingual or smaller classroom setting. However, students with special needs do attend JFKS and are supported with a variety of strategies and resources.
Students applying to Grades 1 through 12 have to be fluent in English, but not in German.
Yes
Recommended neighborhoods
Zehlendorf, Dahlem, Steglitz, Lichterfelde
Is John F. Kennedy School (JFKS) right for your family?
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At a Glance
Fee Position in Berlin
Budget-friendlySchool Profile
Estimated Real Cost
Tuition + registration, transport, uniform, exams
German-American bilingual state school. Minimal fees (state-funded, ~€500/yr). US High School Diploma + German Abitur. Highly competitive admission.
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Nearby Schools (within 5km)
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