Schule Birklehof

Haupthaus, Birklehof 1, 79856 Hinterzarten, Germany

In short: Schule Birklehof is a private, secular, co-ed international school in Hinterzarten, Germany. Stages: middle school and high school (ages 10–19). Taught in German.

Type: Private · Secular · Co-ed
Ages: 10–19 · Middle school to high school
Languages: German + 3

Your details go only to this school.

Fees

Fees on request

The school shares its fees, enrolment and extras on request.

Curriculum & results

Birklehof follows the German Gymnasium curriculum of Baden-Württemberg, leading to the Abitur after Grade 12, or after Grade 13 for students who choose a longer upper school. Its international profile includes a bilingual immersive approach in English, language certificates and exchange stays abroad through the Round Square network of more than 200 schools. The school also promotes the German Abitur as an alternative for students who would otherwise take the Swiss Matura.

Stages · ages 10–19

Birklehof is a Gymnasium covering Grades 5 to 12 or 13. The orientation stage (Grades 5 to 7) focuses on discovering interests in small classes, the profile stage (Grades 8 to 10) lets students choose a science, music or international profile, and the course stage (Grades 11 to 12 or 13) prepares them for the Abitur with three advanced subjects.

Approach · General Curriculum

Birklehof's motto is 'menschlich – mündig – mutig' (humane, responsible, courageous). The school aims to support every young person according to their needs and talents, to encourage curiosity, honesty and shared responsibility, and to be guided by values such as composure, tolerance and justice while contributing to international understanding.

Languages

German is the language of instruction. English is taught from Grade 5, and in Grade 6 pupils choose Latin or French; from Grade 8 they can add Spanish as a third foreign language in the international profile. Through a bilingual immersive approach, singing lessons, drama and some music theory are taught in English, and international boarders and exchange students help make English part of everyday life.

Programmes & accreditations

Round SquareGlobal network of schools

Open Days

Visit the school on a date that suits youNo open days scheduled right now. Ask for a private tour and the school will propose a date.

Location

Haupthaus, Birklehof 1, 79856 Hinterzarten, Germany

Facilities & services

Facilities

The campus, centred on a main house built in 1923, covers about eight hectares of meadows and woodland at roughly 900 metres in the Black Forest. It includes several boarding houses, a music house with a large concert hall, an old gymnasium, an art room, a workshop and a school library. The surrounding area offers ski lifts, cross-country trails, mountain-bike routes, lakes and outdoor pools that students use for sport.

Services

Boarding

Around 150 students live on campus in boarding houses, sharing rooms and houses with international and exchange students. Boarding fees cover education, accommodation and meals, and the school week follows a balanced rhythm of lessons, study, sport and free time. Younger students in Grades 5 to 7 benefit from small classes and a structured daily routine.

Learning support

After-school activities

Hockey is Birklehof's school sport: every student plays, training is part of the timetable and the HC Birklehof team plays in indoor hockey leagues. The High Black Forest location allows skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, sailing and canoeing, and students organise events such as a 24-hour run. Music has a long tradition at the school, with a music profile, a public concert series, a big band and jazz combo led by native English speakers, and drama.