High School (9-12)

Beyond Academics: GISSV's Multifaceted Curriculum Nurtures Critical Thinking and Global Citizenship

Our multi-faceted curriculum is designed to prepare students for college and for life. We create an environment that values collaboration, inquiry, debate, independence and critical thinking. Teachers set high standards and work closely with students to help them develop successful work habits in all subject areas. Several courses from various academic disciplines can be taken for Advanced Placement (AP) credit. As part of the ambitious DIA requirements, students also deepen their knowledge and pass final exams in five fields of study of their choosing.

In addition to the rigorous academic program, we offer a variety of activities that connect students with each other and the world around them. Over the course of our four-year program, students participate in an internship program, plan and go on community-building overnight trips, work on in-depth research projects, compete in international contests in various subject areas and get the chance to learn from experts in diverse fields who visit our classrooms. They volunteer in our local communities, collaborate with peers from German and International schools, and have the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs with our international partner schools in Germany, Chile and France.

Lab Class

Students in 9th grade (10th grade in 2023/24) can be enrolled in
a special Lab Class that focuses on project-based learning
with extracurricular partners. On the main topic of marine biology,
the class cooperates with San Francisco's sister city Kiel, Germany, 
which includes a student exchange.

The students commute between our San Francisco
and Mountain View campuses as well as local museum facilities
etc using their shuttle.

Post-High School Placement

98-100% of our students have been accepted to four-year universities in both the U.S. and Europe, including high-profile institutions such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford University, University of Munich, University of Dresden and University of Hamburg.

Awards and Distinctions

Among our students’ awards and distinctions are a prestigious full-paid DAAD scholarship for four years of study in Germany for a non-native speaker, a first place winner of the “Volkswagen Group of America Student Innovation Prize”, a National Hispanic Heritage scholar, a presidential scholarship to the University of Boston, a National Merit Commended student and several AP scholars with honors and distinction.