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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.

35th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

35th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

35th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

GISSV celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall with an insightful event, featuring a special address by Prof. Dr. James Sheehan, Stanford Professor (emeritus).

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era, filled with joy and surprise. On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the GISSV community and guests gathered to reflect on this transformative moment, which revealed the limits of East Germany’s regime and set the stage for the swift, peaceful unification of Germany.

Organized by GISSV’s history department, the event began with speeches by interim Head of School Dr. Alexandra Blank and Kerstin Klee from the Consulate General San Francisco, who also contributed the exhibition “The Peaceful Revolution and German Reunification.” The exhibition provided a compelling backdrop with a detailed timeline, featuring historical photographs and QR codes linking to interviews and additional information that illuminated the events leading to the Wall’s fall and its global impact.

The evening’s highlight was the keynote by Prof. Dr. James Sheehan, whose talk centered on the recurring theme of surprise. He explained how the Wall’s sudden fall exposed the fragile foundations of East Germany’s regime and its economic struggles, while also underscoring the unexpected power of peaceful revolution. Drawing on Mary Elise Sarotte’s 1989: The Struggle to Create Post-Cold War Europe, Sheehan illustrated how the event reshaped Germany and Europe, offering both triumphs and ongoing challenges.

The program included student projects exploring economic, historical, and artistic perspectives on the Wall’s fall, followed by a dynamic Q&A session. A musical interlude by GISSV’s music department set the tone for a heartfelt rendition of the German National Anthem. The evening concluded with a catered reception, providing the community an opportunity to connect and reflect on this historic milestone.

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