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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.

Black History Month

Black History Month

Black History Month

Black History Month 2023 – Black Resistance: A Journey to Equality

Written by Joe Njangiru (dei-parents@gissv.org)

Learn from the Past to Inspire the Future

This annual observance was founded in the United States in 1926 by an African American historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson, as he studied the history of the African Diaspora. Initially it was known as the “Negro History Week” and commemorated every 2nd week of February. Why February? Well, it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves and Douglass, a former slave himself, was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement. It wasn’t until 1976 that it became a month-long celebration and recognized nationally by President Gerald Ford of the U.S government

This commemoration is meant to highlight the positive achievements and contributions of the African Diaspora and is now a global feature. Figures often highlighted include Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama. In Germany, the commemoration started in Berlin in 1990 and brought together members of the Black German Communities. The communities have held discussions on Afro-European and International African perspectives and experiences.

As a black fellow parent at our GISSV community, feel free to reach out in case of any questions, for a nuanced discussion or just a chat about race relations and experiences that could be beneficial to us all as a community.

My personal book tip for understanding Black contemporary perspectives in Europe would be:

Afropean: Notes from Black Europe by Johny Pitts

A further book recommendation on local Black women perspective:

Comrade sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party by Ericka Huggins

Further resources for both parents and children:

The DEI/DRIN parent group welcomes article contributions from the GISSV community related to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) or Diversität, Repräsentation, Inklusion, Normkritik (DRIN) activities on campus.

Join us at our next monthly meeting on February 7! Every second Tuesday of each month. Both German and English speakers are welcome.

Click here to join the meeting

Questions? Contributions? Email dei-parents@gissv.org.

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