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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.

International Excellence

GISSV's well-balanced curriculum prepares our students to become true world citizens.

Our educational programs unite the best of two worlds: Germany's traditions, know-how and culture with U.S. dynamics, innovation and ambition. In addition, our multicultural student body instills an understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity from an early age. Languages aside from English and German spoken at home by GISSV students include Arabic, Mandarin, Bulgarian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Japanese, Turkish, Hungarian, Korean, Thai, Luxembourgish, Russian, Polish, Farsi, Dutch, Italian, Vietnamese, French, Greek, Slovak, Lebanese and Cantonese.

Through partnerships with international schools and participation in international language, science and math competitions, we keep our students up-to-date about the world around them.

In High School, we feature a challenging and engaging college preparatory program that prepares our students for college and for life. GISSV graduates leave school with dual, bilingual diplomas, the German lnternational Abitur (DIAP) as well as the American High School Diploma, enabling them to qualify for admission to universities in the U.S., Germany and other European countries.

Learn more about the GISSV High School

Learn more about our student exchange program

Learn more about the German International Abitur

Awards and Distinctions

Among our students’ awards and distinctions are a prestigious full-paid DAAD scholarship for four years of study in Germany for a non-native speaker, a first place winner of the “Volkswagen Group of America Student Innovation Prize”, a National Hispanic Heritage scholar, a presidential scholarship to the University of Boston, a National Merit Commended student and several AP scholars with honors and distinction

Post-High School Placement

98-100% of our students have been accepted to four-year universities in both the U.S. and Europe, including high-profile institutions such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford University, University of Munich, University of Dresden and University of Hamburg.