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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.

Career and Study Orientation: 2024/25 Highlights

Career and Study Orientation: 2024/25 Highlights

Career and Study Orientation: 2024/25 Highlights

From expert guest speakers to hands-on internships—this year’s BeSO program provided GISSV students with valuable exposure to academic and career pathways.

The Career and Study Orientation (BeSO) program at GISSV continues to open doors for students to explore future paths with confidence and curiosity.

This school year, our Grade 11 class benefited from a wide range of guest visits, each offering unique perspectives from academia and professional life.

Dr. Joscha Bach, philosopher, cognitive scientist, and AI expert, provided an interdisciplinary look into the opportunities and ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence.
Dr. Hoppe from Leibniz University Hannover introduced students to the university’s academic offerings and painted an engaging picture of student life in one of Germany’s most livable cities.
A law student from the University of Hamburg offered first-hand insights into legal studies and presented StickTo, an app he and his BeSO team developed to support fellow students in managing their academic lives.
GISSV alumna Kimi Jöhren generously returned to share her experience pursuing a medical degree in both Germany and the United States—thank you, Kimi, for your continued support!

In addition to these classroom experiences, Grade 9 and 10 students completed their social and career internships this spring. These hands-on placements are an important part of the BeSO program, giving students the chance to explore fields of interest, develop workplace skills, and reflect on potential future studies. Next school year, they will present their learnings at the Job Shadowing Fair, inspiring and guiding the next group of students.

Learn more about how GISSV supports students in their academic and career exploration:

👉 College Counseling at GISSV

Photos: Christiane Schwadten

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