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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.

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Organized by our History & Music departments, our 8-12th graders commemorated the 20th anniversary of 9/11 today with an online event.

On the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we grieve together with our American friends. We mourn with those who lost friends and relatives that day and those who were seriously injured or traumatized. None of us will ever forget that fateful day.

~German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass

After 9/11, the world changed!

With heavy hearts, German Consul General Oliver Schramm, Head of School Kathrin Roeschel, and Board President Dr. Horst Groesser talked about how they remember the events 20 years ago (being in the US that day or in Berlin with American friends). They emphasized the importance of friendship, compassion, and inclusion – and underlined GISSV's aims and values - as they are also described in the mission statement - to inspire students to become global citizens and promote responsibility and critical thinking.

In a moving video GISSV parents and staff described how they experienced the events in different parts of the world and the (pre-)trauma that still affects freedom and privacy in our daily life.

Before former GISSV American History teacher Michael Rolufs gave a talk, we heard Sting's 'Fragile' presented by 9th and 10th graders.

Mr. Rolufs gave a historical overview and stepped deeper into the topics that had already been discussed by the parents in the video - looked into causes, consequences and also reflected the events from today's perspective. And he once again emphasized the importance of critical thinking.

The event ended with a minute of silence and discussions in the classrooms.

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