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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.

Congratulations Class of 2021!

Congratulations Class of 2021!

Congratulations Class of 2021!

Congratulations and kudos to our graduates for navigating the challenges of the past two school years and their exceptional accomplishments!

After three days of oral exams at the end of May, preceded by written exams earlier this year, our 20 graduates received their dual high school degree on Saturday, May 29: the German International Abitur (DIA) and the American High School Diploma. This dual degree is a distinct feature of GISSV, enabling our graduates to qualify for admission to universities in the U.S., Germany and other European countries.

Congratulations and kudos to our graduates for navigating the challenges of the past two school years and their exceptional accomplishments!

Some of our graduates received additional impressive certificates along with their German International Abitur such as the Physics DPG-Abiturpreis (Laura F.), the Abiturpreis Mathematik (Helena M.), the GDCh-Preis Jahrgangsbeste Chemie (Alina L.), and congratulations to Francis B. on receiving the 2021 National Merit Scholarship!

In addition to the ceremony on our Mountain View Campus in the morning – hosted by GISSV and the German Consulate General –, the graduation was celebrated in the evening with GISSV's festive "Abiturball" at the Lightpost Winery in Morgan Hill.

On Thursday, May 27, the graduates kicked off the festivities and bid their farewell to the school community with a humorous senior prank ("Abistreich"), which included a curious "make over" of the Mountain View Campus.

Enjoy photos of all three events below. To our graduates, congratulations once again and our very best wishes for your future! We hope to hear from you often.

Graduation Ceremony

photo credit: Shelly Hamalian

Abiturball

photo credit: Shelly Hamalian

Abistreich

photo credit: Katja Koehler (GISSV)

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