The early primary school accepts students who are fluent in English or German. The upper primary school requires that students have English or German as mother tongue and a good working knowledge of the second language. All students who seek admission at the secondary level must pass a language and general knowledge exam which assesses their English skills before admittance. The students' English needs to be near the level of an English native speaker.

If the number of applicants exceeds the places available, priority is given to children from highly mobile families whose parents are either members of the diplomatic corps or employed by the German Foreign Office, the German federal government, visiting scholars, the international media or companies operating internationally. If places are still available, a lottery is held.

Class 1: Students are admitted to class 1 through the local authority (Bezirksamt). The Nelson Mandela English staff tests all students who have registered as English Mother Tongue candidates. Each student is recommended for the English or German Mother Tongue on the basis of the tests. The testers’ results are binding. Prospective students are contacted directly by the local authority as to whether they have received a place for grade one.

Class 1 as of term 2: If places become available in the course of term one, students are admitted to the existing class one on the basis of the criteria for all existing classes.

Existing classes: All other classes admit students on the basis of availability in the following order of priority (class size may not exceed 28 students):

1. Children from families in which at least one parent works for the German foreign office
2. Children of families from abroad (priority is given to children from highly mobile families)
3. Siblings of students who are currently in school for at least one year
4. Children of families from Berlin who are highly mobile
5. Other children from Berlin

Additional criteria

All children can only be admitted if a place on the respective mother tongue side becomes available. The numerical balance between English Mother Tongue Students and German Mother Tongue students must be maintained as described in the letter authorizing school operation (Genehmigungsschreiben) of the Nelson Mandela School. Children being admitted on the German Mother side must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English to be able to follow the curriculum in the class in which they seek admission. This is assessed through an English test for Partner Tongue.

Applications forms

 Application form class 1 and further information will be available at the end of October 2010.

 Application form classes 2-6

 Admission policy for years 7-10

 Application form 7th class and further information...

 Application form classes 8-10

 Application form classes 11-13