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Preschool-12 Dual Language Education in
Two Locations in the Bay Area

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About
- Welcome to GISSV
  The German International School of Silicon Valley is an independent, nonprofit preschool–grade 12 school with two locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Learning in German and English
  Our high-quality dual-immersion education helps students reach their full potential in a stimulating environment that fosters critical and imaginative thinking, a passion for lifelong learning and an appreciation for cultural diversity.
Admissions
- Meeting Students’ Needs From Preschool Through High School
  GISSV welcomes students of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We serve students from two to eighteen years old.
- Enrollment
  The enrollment period begins during the months of January and February of each year for the upcoming school year. We also accept new students throughout the school year based on availability. Knowledge of the German language is required for all children who enroll after 1st grade (See also our German Fast Track Program).
Learning
- Nurturing Holistic and Individual Development
  Our well-balanced program provides rich project-based and differentiated learning experiences, fostering interests across all subject areas as well as social-emotional competency, critical thinking, artistic expression and physical motor skills.
- Safe and Stimulating Learning Environments
  We provide highly qualified teachers, small class sizes and an excellent student-to-teacher ratio. Our engaging and ambitious curriculum is enhanced by comprehensive science and technology resources.
School Life
- Rich Experiences in the Classroom and Beyond
  At GISSV, we are instilling an appreciation of life, music, sports, culture and arts among our students. We take responsibility and action for ourselves, others and our planet.
- Strong Sense of Community
  GISSV has a vibrant international school community thanks to our small class sizes, cohesive, dynamic preschool–12 structure and enriching events that involve all our students, teachers and parents.
Campuses & Camps
- Serving Families Across the Bay Area
  GISSV has campuses in Mountain View and San Francisco. We also connect our students to their local environment by exploring the cultural, natural, academic and entrepreneurial destinations the Bay Area has to offer.
- Two Campuses, One School
  All GISSV programs are bilingual and based on the German curriculum of the state of Thuringia, which is known and respected for its well-rounded educational approach
Support GISSV
- Enhancing the GISSV Experience
  Family and community support is a vital part of GISSV. Voluntary contributions of time, resources and expertise are key to our success.
- Every Gift Matters
  Donations are essential to preserving and advancing GISSV’s exceptional educational programs. Tax-deductible contributions enable us to realize our most important current and long-term priorities, preparing our students for the world ahead.

Parent Association

Parents have many ways to take an active role in fostering GISSV’s mission and ensuring the best possible education for our students. Parent involvement gives the school a rich, nurturing environment and provides parents opportunities to work closely with faculty, staff and students, form relationships with other parents and become invested in the GISSV community.

Each GISSV campus has a Parent Association (PA) that works closely with the school administration and the Board of Directors. Each PA meets regularly to discuss issues of importance to the school community. Parent representatives from each school division (Preschool/Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and High School) meet with division heads to discuss issues specific to that division. The PA on each campus is made up of two elected parent representatives from each class.

The PA also coordinates the work of various parent committees and supports the school with coordinating volunteers as well as fundraising and signature events, such as the annual Holiday Market in Mountain View or the Laternenfest in San Francisco. PA members also assist new parents and students joining the GISSV community.

PA Priorities:

The Parent Association at each campus sets priorities for the year. Generally, the PA focuses on the following:

Improving communication
Fostering community
Working with teachers
Assist with resolving issues
Fundraising
Encouraging volunteerism
Promoting GISSV

The PA sets an example by using the My GISSV portal for most communication, including the PA newsletter and meeting minutes, which provide the highlights from the PA meetings.

Learn more about Volunteering at GISSV