Jenny and Rob Burns* quickly found themselves stuck for options when they looked for schools for their two sons, now aged 14 and 8, on arrival in Berlin 18 months ago.

Having sent their sons to what they described as "excellent" international schools on previous diplomatic postings to Singapore and Malaysia, they were disappointed to find no equivalent in Berlin.

"We made a shortlist of schools we thought would be suitable and visited them," said Jenny.

"But we found the class sizes at the British School were too small, Potsdam was too far away and Steglitz was in a high-rise and had no playground. We were really stuck for options."

They ended up enrolling their sons in the John F. Kennedy School, a German public school run by the State Education Department. They felt it offered the best academic and extra-curricula mix.

As a state school rather than one dedicated to international students, however, JFK has its own "smorgasbord of small problems" for the expat.

"Some teachers insist on doing classes in German only, and they can be on quite technical topics which makes it hard for Ben*," said Jenny.

"And if a teacher is off sick, kids just sit there with no lesson as they can't afford relief teachers."

A lack of financial support from the state is forcing teachers in Berlin to start looking for better pay and conditions elsewhere in Germany. And a change in tax status has seen a sudden exodus of American teachers in recent months.

For the Burns', perhaps the most different aspect of state schooling in Berlin, however, was the high involvement expected from parents, which included cleaning the classroom once a month.

"The school wouldn't run if the parents stopped going," said Jenny.

This level of involvement is not something an expatriate can always give, or expects to give, when working overseas.

Even in developing countries, a top international school is usually par for the course. But with a shortage of quality private schools in Berlin, expats can be left with little choice but to send their kids to a state run institution.

Sally Johnson*, a Berlin teacher with 18 years' experience in both the national and international systems, said that while the education system is Berlin is constantly expanding and changing, the city simply does not have the education infrastructure to cater to the international community.

"For non-German speaking diplomats," said Johnson, "the international school system can be very difficult and have its ups and downs. Some have a high staff turnover while others don't have even the most basic science equipment."

Johnson said when trying to navigate the maze of international schooling in Germany, there are a few key things a parent should do.

Seriously assess potential schools

First, she said, they should "have their eyes very open" when visiting potential schools, and ask lots of questions.

"All private schools will promise you a lot of things but they don't always deliver. They just want to sell. Look at a school's web site, if they have one, and then ask them about the details."

Johnson said parents should not be embarrassed to ask tough questions. She said these should include:

• Are the teachers from the local or moving community?
• How many existing teachers were at the school three years ago?
• That facilities are available for music, sport and science?
• Does the head teacher speak both English and German?

Second, Johnson said parents should try to talk to the teachers directly.

"Everything depends on the teachers," said Johnson. "Bad schools can have good teachers and vice versa, so parents should keep this is mind when looking. If things feel right, then parents should go with their gut instincts.

"Just ask lots of questions, because as far as international schooling goes, it's just not there yet in Berlin."

July 2003

Private Schools, Berlin

Berlin Brandenburg International School
Tel: 033 203 80 36 0
Web: www.bpis.de

Cambridge International School, Berlin (formerly The British International School)
www.cambridgeinternationalschoolberlin.com

Berlin British School
Tel: 030 304 2205/3780

Berlin International School
Tel: 030 79 000 370

Erasmus International School
Tel: 033 209 80237

Public Schools, Berlin

John F. Kennedy School
Tel (primary): 030 8091 2710;
Tel (secondary) 030 8091 2785

Charles Dickens School
Tel: 030 3430 6278

Erich Kästner School
Tel/Fax: 030 8091 4031

Collège Français
Tel: 030 262 1041
Web: www.bln.de/fg

Nelson Mandela SISB
http://www.sisberlin.de/index.html

*Name changed because of professional position.