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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.

GISSV Student Wins Intl. Reading Competition 2025

GISSV Student Wins Intl. Reading Competition 2025

GISSV Student Wins Intl. Reading Competition 2025

Emma S., a 6th grader at GISSV, has been named the best international reader in the 2025 Vorlesewettbewerb for German Schools Abroad.

This school year, nearly half of all recognized German Schools Abroad (Deutsche Auslandsschulen) – 60 schools from 47 countries – participated in the 2024/25 international reading competition (Internationaler Vorlesewettbewerb). At GISSV, students took part in school-level competitions during the fall, leading to the selection of our finalist, 11-year-old Emma S.

As part of the international round, Emma submitted a three-minute video in which she read a passage from Das letzte Aufgebot by Moritz Seibert (Karibu Verlag). Her performance was evaluated by a professional jury alongside those of finalists from seven other German Schools Abroad, including schools in São Paulo, Madrid, Milan, Zagreb, Nairobi, Taipei, and Tokyo.

We are proud to share that Emma was chosen as the best international reader 2025. The jury praised her reading for its expressive delivery and dramatic tension, noting:

“Emma captivated the jury. She selected a particularly suspenseful passage and read it with confident, well-placed pauses and striking expressiveness.”

All finalists received a book gift and certificate for their participation. As the winner, Emma also received an additional book prize: Zeig uns, wer du bist by Elle McNicoll (Atrium).

This year marked the first time that all German Schools Abroad were invited to participate in the digital competition, thanks to a partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office and support from the DHL Group. The international contest runs parallel to the national German competition, where regional winners are now preparing for the final in Berlin this June.

The Vorlesewettbewerb is organized by the Stiftung Buchkultur und Leseförderung of the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels and is held under the patronage of the Federal President of Germany. It aims to spark public enthusiasm for books and foster strong reading skills in young people.

🎥 Watch Emma’s winning video here

Read more (in German):
Vorlesewettbewerb für Deutsche Auslandsschulen beendet

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