Application Process

Questions?

Please contact admissions@gissv.org. Please specify which location you are interested in: Mountain View or San Francisco.

GISSV welcomes students from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color or nationality. Knowledge of the German language is required for all children who enroll after 1st grade. If attendance at GISSV is not possible because of language barriers, we recommend our Saturday School or private tutors. As a school accredited by the German government the GISSV can also integrate students coming from Germany during the ongoing school year.

Children entering the toddler group must be at least 2 years old to start school and cannot be older than 2.9 years of age on the first day of school.

Children entering preschool must turn 3 by no later than November 22nd of the year in which they enter preschool.

Children entering Kindergarten must turn 5 by no later than September 1st of the year in which they enter kindergarten.

Children entering 1st grade must turn 6 by no later than September 1st of the year in which they enter 1st grade.

All children 3 years of age and above must be fully potty trained before they can begin school.

Please note that the law in California now requires all school children to be fully vaccinated and does not allow for a personal-belief exemption any more. This law applies to all GISSV students, regardless of your family's country of origin.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

In general, the enrollment period begins during the months of December and January before the upcoming school year. Enrollment is possible throughout the school year based on availability. Please note that we do not admit preschool-aged children to the current school year after the end of February out of consideration for a smooth transition and integration into the program, which is especially important for a successful school experience during the early childhood years.

Documents needed for all applicants:

The following documents need to be provided at the time of enrollment :

• Enrollment  agreement (contract)

• Application form

• Society membership form

• Copy of child’s passport or birth certificate

• Copy of child’s vaccination record (please note that the law doesn’t allow the personal-belief exemption any more; click here for immunization requirements)

• Copies of the child’s last two report cards (midterm and final report cards for students entering grades 2-11)

• Report of Health Exam for School Entry (required for students in grades 1-12)

• Physician's Report (required for preschool/kindergarten students)

• Parent's Report (required for preschool/kindergarten students)

• Personal Rights (Child's rights) (required for preschool/kindergarten students)

• Parent's Rights (required for preschool/kindergarten students)

Siblings of existing students, as well as children of staff members, have priority when awarding spots. This process must be completed by January 31 of the application season.

Starting February 1, new families will be eligible for all open spots.