German and American students who attended grade 6 at the John F. Kennedy School (JFKS) are promoted to grade 7 by an official promotion conference consisting of sixth-grade teachers and the guidance counselor. Promotions are based on the professional opinion that a student is capable of continuing at the JFKS in either the Abitur program or the high school diploma program. Students who would not be properly served by either the college preparatory curricula of the high school or the Abitur program are required to leave the school.

American students transferring from other schools into grades 7 through 12 at JFKS file an official application to the American high school principal and are selected on the basis of their school transcripts and results on standardized examinations. Generally, applicants must have a "B" average or better and standardized testing scores in the upper 25% range in order to be successful at JFKS. Applications are considered in the order of their submission as space in the given class becomes available.

International students are admitted to grades 7 through 12 as part of the American contingent, with the approval of the Educational Directorate. They must pass an English test, which includes an essay-writing sample. They must demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to their American classmates in the class for which they are applying and must have a strong academic transcript.

German students seeking admission to grades 7 through 13 must come from an English speaking country and must demonstrate English-language proficiency equivalent to their prospective grade-level German classmates at JFKS. This proficiency is determined by an English test administered by the guidance department. The test includes a written essay. In addition, these applicants must submit report cards indicating that they have the prerequisite academic background to complete the Abitur. Generally, German students who were not recommended for the German university preparatory school (Gymnasium) and have attended the Hauptschule or Realschule are not admitted.

There is high demand for admission of German students to grades 11 and 12. These students usually have spent a year in a high school in the United States. Because places are limited, admission is very competitive. In addition to passing the English proficiency test administered by the JFKS guidance department, German applicants to grades 11 and 12 should document that they passed the following courses when they attended a U.S. high school:

A writing course (English)

Calculus or pre-calculus (differential and integral equations)

A natural science course

U.S. history (2 semesters)
or
U.S. history (1 semester) and U.S. government (1 semester)

How To Apply

Application forms and further information can be obtained by contacting the school directly. You may also download the High School Admissions Application here and mail, fax, or email (as a single PDF attachment) the completed form to the American office.

Please send copies of report cards and other documents per mail or email, NOT per fax.

Applications for school year 2011-12 will only be accepted as of 1 September 2010.

Our addresses:

By post:

Admissions

John F. Kennedy School, 

Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin, 

Germany

By email: admissions@jfksberlin.org

We regret that we do not accept applications by fax.

Please note: Applications can only be processed when they are accompanied by the appropriate supporting documents (copies of report cards, transcripts, standardized test scores, etc.)