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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.

Events

Events are a great part of school life, bringing together all members of the GISSV community, and giving us an opportunity to celebrate and engage in conversations.

Among our recurring annual public events are a German Holiday Market, where we transform Downtown Mountain View into a bustling “holiday village” for a day, or the Laternenfest (Lantern Festival) on our San Francisco Campus with on-campus entertainment and a lantern parade through the neighborhood.

Campus events for the GISSV community celebrate American as well as German holidays, sportsmanship (Walk-a-Thon, soccer matches with schools in the Bay Area), music (talent show, concerts), community (Summer Fest, Gala) and more.

EVENT NEWS

Nikolaus Visited GISSV Kibili and Elementary

Nikolaus Visited GISSV Kibili and Elementary

On December 6, we celebrated St. Nicholas Day at GISSV.

Read More about Nikolaus Visited GISSV Kibili and Elementary

GISSV Rings in the Holiday Season

GISSV Rings in the Holiday Season

The GISSV choir delighted the audience with a festive repertoire of holiday favorites, setting the perfect tone for the Holiday Season at the Holiday Train Event as well as the MV Tree Lighting.

Read More about GISSV Rings in the Holiday Season

MV Movie Night 2023

MV Movie Night 2023

Following in the footsteps of our San Francisco school community, our MV community recently relished a special screening generously sponsored by the Goethe Institut.

Read More about MV Movie Night 2023

UPCOMING EVENT(S)

ANNUAL EVENTS

German Holiday Market - Weihnachtsmarkt

Thousands of people celebrate an authentic German Holiday Market with us annually. GISSV can proudly say it has established the cherished "Weihnachtsmarkt" tradition in the Bay Area.

SF Laternenfest
(Lantern Parade)

The annual GISSV San Francisco Lantern Festival is a fun family event including German food & drinks and a lantern parade.

GISSV Gala & Auction

Our GISSV Gala & Auction is a community building and fundraising event to help raise funds for a dedicated cause.

SPECIAL EVENT

HPI Lecture Series

From 2020-2022 GISSV was partnering with the Hasso-Plattner-Institut (HPI) and created this digital lecture series called Learn · Design · Innovate.

All GISSV High School students, along with students from other German Schools Abroad in North America, took part in the lecture series. We extended a warm invitation to interested parents and staff due to the event's enriching content.

>>> Read on and see the presentations