East Bay German International School vs Terra Schools
East Bay German International School and Terra Schools are both in San Francisco, about 20 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. East Bay German International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP), and Terra Schools also offers Reggio Emilia. Published annual fees are $28,500 - 37,000 at East Bay German International School and $36,975 - 43,450 at Terra Schools, which puts Terra Schools roughly 23% higher. East Bay German International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Terra Schools from 2 to 10. Typical class sizes are 12 at East Bay German International School and 11 at Terra Schools.
The school is located at 1070 41st Street, Emeryville, CA 94608. It sits in Emeryville, between Oakland and Berkeley, just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco. The campus is easily accessible by multiple modes of transportation, with the Emery Go-Round shuttle stopping one block from campus and MacArthur BART a short ride away.
Location
Terra San Francisco is located at 3801 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121. Terra Mandarin Preschool is located at 529 Browning St., Mill Valley, CA 94941. Terra Marin PK-8 operates at 70 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Terra San Francisco offers a Pre-K to 8th grade, nature-based, trilingual program in Mandarin, Spanish, and English with weekly Earth Education excursions to nearby spaces such as Crissy Field, The Presidio, Bakers Beach, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.
Stages
Stages
Preschool through High School (age 2 through Grade 12), including Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten), Elementary School (Grades 1-4), Middle School (Grades 5-8), and High School (Grades 9-12).
Stages
Terra San Francisco serves Preschool (ages 2–4.5) and Transitional Kindergarten through 2nd grade, with 3rd–4th grade integrated in the program. The San Francisco campus provides a PK–8 program across multiple levels, including K–8 language offerings. Terra Marin serves PK–8 in Marin.
School type
School type
Dual-language German-English immersion school; IB World School.
School type
Private school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
ESL (English as a Second Language) across all programs; Deutsch als Zweitsprache (German language support) for middle and high school; Lese-Rechtschreibförderung (Dyslexia Support) and Literacy Support in Elementary; Math Support; DP Learning Studio; Advisory; collaboration with local school districts via SELPA.
Additional learning support
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is prioritized through a dedicated SEL curriculum and school-wide support. A team of literacy specialists, educational consultants, and learning specialists collaborates with teachers to support students based on their learning profiles and needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Germany (global network of German Schools).
Country affiliation
United States
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
Preschool/Kindergarten: school day 8:30 AM–2:15 PM with 8:00 AM drop-off; Extended Day available until 4:30 PM or 6:00 PM. Elementary School: 8:30 AM–2:00 PM with 8:00 AM drop-off and Extended Day until 4:30 PM or 6:00 PM. Middle School: day starts at 8:30 AM; ends at 2:00 PM on most days, extending to 3:40 PM on some days for additional subjects; Afternoon Club and other activities available until 6:00 PM.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Emery Go-Round stops one block from campus; MacArthur BART is a short ride away; campus accessible by train, bus, car, or ferry.
Bus service details
School bus transportation is available to and from Terra Marin School each weekday for an additional fee. The San Francisco bus stops run pickups between 7:10 and 8:05 am and drop-offs between 3:35 and 4:35 pm; Marin bus stops run pickups between 7:40 and 8:10 am and drop-offs between 3:45 and 4:25 pm. The fleet includes two yellow buses, two vans (up to 12 passengers each), and an SUV; exact stop locations are provided to registered families for safety and privacy.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fees
- Application fee (one-time): $75 per child.
Enrollment and administrative fees
- Enrollment fee (one-time at enrollment): $800 per student. - Facility fee (annual, per family): $1,000. - Materials fee: Preschool/Elementary: $150; Middle/High School: $200.
Annual tuition fees by school level (amounts shown are annual tuition)
- Preschool (10-month option): USD 28,500. - Preschool (12-month option, includes summer camp): USD 32,000. - Kindergarten: USD 28,500. - Elementary School (Grades 1–4): USD 30,500. - Middle School (Grades 5–8): USD 32,500. - High School (Grades 9–10): USD 35,000. - High School (Grades 11–12, IB Diploma Programme): USD 37,000.
Payment plans, billing schedule and payment terms
- Available payment plan options and timing: - Lump-sum payment at signing of contract (2% discount applied to tuition). - Two payments: due July 1 and January 1 (1% discount applied to tuition). - 10-month plan: monthly installments August 1 through May 1 (no discount). - 12-month plan: available for Preschool only; July 1 through June 1 (no discount). - Tuition insurance is required for every student; the premium is 2.9% of total tuition and is due with the enrollment deposit and any administrative fee where applicable. - The enrollment contract holds families financially responsible for the full tuition and fees regardless of withdrawal; tuition insurance can cover the balance in specified insured situations.
Sibling discounts
- Second enrolled child: 10% discount on tuition. - Third (and subsequent) enrolled child: 20% discount on tuition.
Extended-day and after-school program fees
- Extended Day hourly rate: USD 18 per hour (Preschool/Kindergarten and Elementary/Middle rates noted similarly on fee schedule). A registration fee applies for hourly care. - Full extended-day program (until 6:00 pm): USD 6,700 per year.
Other costs and optional fees
- Tuition insurance premium (required): 2.9% of total tuition, charged with the enrollment deposit/administrative fee. - One-time enrollment/administrative fee: USD 800 per student. - Family facility fee (annual): USD 1,000. - Materials fees as listed above. - Extended-day registration fee for hourly care: USD 100.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school and does not list boarding or residential-program fees.
Refund and withdrawal information
- The enrollment contract makes the family financially responsible for the full tuition and fees regardless of withdrawal. Tuition insurance is required and is intended to cover remaining tuition in certain qualifying situations; the insurance premium equals 2.9% of total tuition and is payable with the enrollment deposit/administrative fee. No general cash-back refund policy for full tuition is provided in the public fee material; final refund/adjustment rules would be determined under the terms of the enrollment contract and the tuition insurance policy.
Fee payment options and how payments are presented
- The online application and enrollment process uses the school's application system (Ravenna) and asks applicants to choose a form of payment when submitting the application/enrollment; public fee materials list the available payment-plan schedules but do not specify which payment instruments (credit card, ACH/bank transfer, check) are accepted. Families are instructed to select a payment method during the application/enrollment steps. For application submission, the application fee must be paid as part of a complete application.
Key contact for fee and billing questions
- Admissions and tuition-assistance contact: admissions@ebgis.org. Phone: 510.380.0301.
Note on public materials reviewed: the school's published materials provide annual tuition amounts, required fees, payment-plan dates and the requirement for tuition insurance, but do not list a specific public breakdown of accepted payment instruments (for example, explicit confirmation of credit card, bank transfer/ACH, or check). The application system asks applicants to choose a form of payment during submission; final payment-instrument options are provided during the application/enrollment process.
- Elementary (TK–3rd listed as the elementary range): USD 2,000 – USD 36,975 per year (annual maximum/top rate for TK–3rd).
Note: Terra Schools operates an Indexed Tuition model; the figures above are the Board‑set maximum/top rates for the 2026–2027 year and many families will be placed at lower levels within the USD 2,000–top rate ranges based on the indexed-tuition assessment.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Preschool offers documented 10‑month and 12‑month billing arrangements (10‑month and 12‑month options are used in the published tuition structure). Infant program is presented as a monthly rate. Elementary tuition is stated as an annual amount (top rate shown). - Deposits that hold a space for a child are non-refundable. - Aftercare charges are additional and are billed separately; aftercare for the school day is offered 3:15 PM–5:30 PM and is charged as an additional fee (aftercare charges are generally billed monthly and vary by number of days per week).
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered; Terra Schools operates day programs at its San Francisco and Mill Valley locations.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- After‑school enrichment and specialized programs: additional fees apply; Terra families register and pay for after‑school enrichment through Clarity or Zelle. Examples of camp-related aftercare/shuttle fees are published for camps (aftercare and shuttle are additional). - School bus/transportation: available on select routes and charged in addition to tuition. Specific route and service fees are billed separately. - Year‑round camps and holiday/summer camps have separate fees and their own refund/processing terms (see camp fee items such as shuttle and aftercare where published).
Refund information
- Enrollment deposit that holds a space is non-refundable. - Camp registration refund policy: camp registrations may be canceled up to two weeks before a session starts for a full refund minus a USD 99 processing fee; after that two‑week deadline camp fees (and associated shuttle/aftercare fees for camp) are non‑refundable.
Fee payment options and payment methods
- Application submission and school application are handled through Ravenna (application platform). - Financial‑aid (Indexed Tuition) submissions are managed via the Clarity application; Clarity charges a USD 60 submission fee. - After‑school enrichment payments: families may register and pay using Clarity or Zelle. - For certain school payments and donations the organization publishes bank/wire transfer details (East West Bank) for electronic transfers.
Summary (concise)
- Application fee: USD 100 (Ravenna). Indexed‑tuition submission fee: USD 60 (Clarity). - Top published tuition rates for 2026–2027: Infant USD 3,500/month; Preschool up to USD 33,500 (10‑month) or up to USD 38,750–USD 43,450 on 12‑month plans; Elementary up to USD 36,975/year. Indexed Tuition ranges begin at USD 2,000 and families may pay lower levels based on need.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school is an IB World School serving preschool through high school. In the East Bay International High School, Grades 9–10 offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams; Grades 11–12 pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), including a bilingual IB Diploma. Elementary through middle school provide a dual-language German/English program; middle school has 65–80% of instruction in German, with a third language (Spanish or French) introduced in Grade 6, and by Grade 8 students prepare for the Deutsches Sprachdiplom I (DSD I). Language offerings include English, German, French, and Spanish, with IB DP Language & Literature options in English and German.
Curriculum details
Terra Schools offer nature-based, multilingual education in Spanish, Mandarin, and English for Pre-K through 8th grade. The program blends the Reggio Emilia philosophy with the International Baccalaureate framework. Learn features tailored, collegiate-track academics, multilingualism, project-based learning, and high school preparation. Grow centers on Earth Education and outdoor learning, with arts, teamwork, creative problem solving, and flexible thinking. Belong emphasizes social-emotional learning, student-led discussions, mentorship, family partnership, and diversity. Languages include Spanish and Mandarin immersion.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
6:1
Student teacher ratio
Low student-teacher ratios are emphasized.
Exam results
Exam results
IB Diploma Programme pass rate is 100%. Diploma Programme average GPA was 4.6 (Class of 2025). AP examinations show an average score of 4.3. 100% of EBGIS graduates were admitted to leading universities, including Brown University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly, Santa Clara University, NYU, George Washington University, American University, Wesleyan University, Smith College, Middlebury College, and Universität Regensburg.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
100% of graduates were admitted to leading universities, including Brown University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly, Santa Clara University, NYU, George Washington University, American University, Wesleyan University, Smith College, Middlebury College, Universität Regensburg.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Early Childhood 1. Step 1: Submit an Inquiry. To submit an initial inquiry, click here and fill out the form. This enables us to provide information about the admissions process, including upcoming virtual and online events. You are welcome to attend these events to learn about the program and to help us get to know you. 2. Step 2: Create Your Profile and Submit Your Application. Create a Ravenna account and complete your application following the Ravenna steps. The new student application deadline is January 11, 2026. 3. Step 3: Family Interview. After we receive your application, we may contact you to schedule an in-person interview. This is an opportunity to get to know your family and child and to ask questions about the program. 4. Step 4: Notification of Admissions Decision. Early Childhood admissions decisions are issued on a rolling basis from February 13, 2026 to March 19, 2026. 5. Step 5: Sign the Enrollment Contract. To secure your child's place, complete the Enrollment Contract by March 26, 2026. Families who submit their contract by this date qualify for the $800 enrollment fee; contracts submitted after March 26 are subject to the increased enrollment fee of $1,200 per student.
Elementary School 1. Step 1: Submit an Inquiry. To submit an initial inquiry, click here and fill out the form. This enables us to provide information about the admissions process, including upcoming events. You are welcome to attend these events to learn about the program and to help us get to know you. 2. Step 2: Create Your Profile and Submit Your Application. New Student Application Deadline: January 11, 2026. 3. Step 3: Family Interview. After we receive your application, we may contact you to schedule an in-person interview. 4. Step 4: Notification of Admissions Decision. You will receive an admissions decision no later than March 19, 2026; if you applied for tuition assistance, you will receive a decision on your application by February 13, 2026. 5. Step 5: Sign the Enrollment Contract. To secure your child's place, complete the Enrollment Contract by March 26, 2026; the enrollment fee discount applies (the $800 rate) if by this date; contracts submitted after March 26 are subject to $1,200.
Middle School 1. Step 1: Submit an Inquiry. To submit an initial inquiry, click here and fill out the form. This enables us to provide information about the admissions process, including upcoming virtual and online events. You are welcome to attend these events to learn about the program and to help us get to know you. 2. Step 2: Create Your Profile and Submit Your Application. New Student Application Deadline: January 11, 2026. 3. Step 3: Family Interview. After we receive your application, we may contact you to schedule an in-person interview. 4. Step 4: Notification of Admissions Decision. You will receive an admissions decision no later than March 19, 2026; if you applied for tuition assistance, you will receive a decision on your application by February 13, 2026. 5. Step 5: Sign the Enrollment Contract. To secure your child's place, complete the Enrollment Contract by March 26, 2026; the enrollment fee discount applies (the $800 rate) if by this date; contracts submitted after March 26 are subject to $1,200.
High School 1. Step 1: Submit an Inquiry. To submit an initial inquiry, click here and fill out the form. This enables us to provide information about the admissions process, including upcoming virtual and online events. You are welcome to attend these events to learn about the program and to help us get to know you. 2. Step 2: Create Your Profile and Submit Your Application. New Student Application Deadline: January 11, 2026. 3. Step 3: Family Interview. After we receive your application, we may contact you to schedule an in-person interview. 4. Step 4: Diagnostic Assessments. All applicants complete a set of diagnostic assessments designed not for admissions decisions, but to help us understand each student's academic profile and learning strengths. These assessments include a Mathematics and English diagnostic aligned with the California Common Core Standards, and for bilingual or multilingual students, an AAPPL to determine language proficiency across listening, speaking, reading, and writing on the ACTFL scale. The diagnostic process helps us personalize your child's learning from the start. 5. Step 5: Notification of Admissions Decision. You will receive an admissions decision no later than March 19, 2026. If you applied for tuition assistance, you will receive a decision on your application by February 13, 2026. 6. Step 6: Sign the Enrollment Contract. To secure your child's place, complete the Enrollment Contract by March 26, 2026. Families who submit their contract by this date qualify for the $800 enrollment fee; contracts submitted after March 26 are subject to the increased enrollment fee of $1,200 per student.
Admissions
1. Connect with Terra: Join a tour or an open house to explore the school and learn about the Terra curriculum. 2. Apply: Complete the online application through Ravenna and search for Terra Schools to find the correct application. 3. Student Assessment / Playdate: TK–4th grade families schedule a Student Assessment, Preschool families schedule a Student Playdate to experience the learning environment firsthand. 4. Family Meet & Greet: A 20‑minute Zoom with the Terra team to share information about the child and answer questions. 5. Admission Decision: Decisions are released electronically.
Additional details: The application fee is 100 dollars; waivers are available by contacting admissions@terraschools.org. Ravenna is the third‑party application platform used by Terra and many Bay Area private independent schools. For financial aid, Terra uses an Indexed Tuition model that aligns tuition with each family's financial circumstances, with ranges starting at 2,000 dollars. 37% of Terra families receive financial aid. New student Clarity applications for Indexed Tuition are due by February 14, 2026, and returning student applications are due by January 31, 2026. Clarity requires documents such as tax returns and W‑2s and has a submission fee of 60 dollars. 2026–2027 maximum tuition rates vary by program: Preschool 10‑month up to 33,500 dollars; Preschool 12‑month full up to 38,750 dollars; Preschool 12‑month extend up to 43,450 dollars; Elementary TK–3rd up to 36,975 dollars. Clarity is used to determine the Indexed Tuition, with a 30‑minute application time and a mobile‑friendly process. Contact admissions@terraschools.org for questions; Terra San Francisco and Terra Marin have dedicated admissions contact points as listed on the admissions pages.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Tuition Assistance We offer tuition assistance through School and Student Services (SSS) by NAIS to help families afford the program. Families complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online in the SSS Family Portal and provide all required supporting documents. Steps to complete the PFS are: visit the SSS Family Portal, create an account and begin your PFS, submit the PFS and pay the non‑refundable fee, and upload required documents under the “My Documents” tab. Key information includes the school name (East Bay German International School), SSS Code (9206), and the tuition assistance contact (admissions@ebgis.org). Required documents include prior year tax returns, W‑2s, IRS Form 4506‑T, and any additional documents as requested. Deadlines must be met for timely review; provisional decisions may be made if documentation is incomplete, and awards depend on the SSS Estimated Family Contribution, supporting documentation, and sometimes a family interview. For assistance completing the PFS, contact SSS customer service at (800) 344‑8328 or sss@communitybrands.com, or reach out to admissions@ebgis.org.
Our commitment is to make bilingual education accessible and to work with families throughout the financial aid process.
