German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School vs Global School Brooklyn
German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School and Global School Brooklyn are both in New York, about 7 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School also offers American, Bespoke and German, and Global School Brooklyn also offers Montessori. Published annual fees are $32,500 - 42,500 at German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School and $23,600 - 36,000 at Global School Brooklyn, which puts German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School roughly 26% higher. German-American School Manhattan - Elementary School takes pupils from 2 to 11, and Global School Brooklyn from 3 to 14.
IB (PYP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Curriculum
Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP)
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
182
Typical class size
Typical class size
12
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
German, English
Instruction language
English, German, Spanish
Opened
Opened
2018
Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
German-American School Manhattan operates two Tribeca campuses: GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten at 85 Warren Street and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School at 74 Warren Street. It is described as a Premier Tribeca Location with access via most subway lines. The Kita campus is at 85 Warren St and the Elementary campus is at 74 Warren St, New York, NY 10007.
Location
760 Sterling Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216, Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The campus was completed in 2022 and is easily accessible by public transportation.
Stages
Stages
The program serves children from age 2 through 5th grade. GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten serves ages 3–5 (2 years German immersion) and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School serves Grades 1–5.
Stages
Preschool (3s & 4s); Lower School (K-5); Middle School (6-8)
School type
School type
Bilingual IB World School (Preschool and Lower School) in Manhattan.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Subjects are taught in German and English by native speakers; teachers address each child's individual needs with attention to language level and developmental skills.
Additional learning support
The school is inclusive and works with families to explore potential accommodations and support services.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
Doors open at 8:00am. Grades 1 and up run 8:30am–3:30pm; Preschool/Kindergarten run 8:45am–3:00pm. After-school programming runs 3:45pm–5:15pm; early drop-off begins at 8:00am.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
Bus service is provided for eligible students with set stops (no door-to-door service). It follows the public school calendar; pick-up/drop-off points are DOE-generated. After-school bus service is not available. For questions contact Ashley Padilla at (516) 266-9301.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fee
- Application fee: USD 200 (one-time, required with application).
Tuition fees (school year 2025/26)
- Preschool & Pre-K (full program): USD 35,500 per year. - Preschool — half day or 3 days/week option: USD 32,500 per year. - Elementary (Grades K–5): USD 42,500 per year.
Note: The school's published figures are given as annual tuition amounts for the 2025/26 school year; no published per-term (semester/quarter) breakdown of those exact amounts is available. Families are required to sign the school contract and pay a first installment to reserve a spot.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- A signed school contract and payment of the first installment are required to reserve a place after acceptance. Acceptance notices begin to be sent December 1 and enrollment is secured once the contract and first installment are received. - No detailed published schedule for remaining installments, due dates, late fees, or tuition refund deadlines is available in the published materials for the 2025/26 school year.
Boarding fees
- Boarding fees: Not applicable. The school operates GSM Kita Preschool & Kindergarten and a Dual Immersion Elementary School (Preschool through Grade 5) at day-school locations in Manhattan; no boarding program or boarding fees are published.
Other costs and fees
- After‑school care and camp programs are offered, but specific fees for after‑school care, camps, extended day, or extracurricular programs are not published. - Uniform fees: No published uniform requirement or uniform fee is listed. - Typical ancillary charges such as lunch/meals, classroom materials, field trips, technology fees, instrument or supply fees, or activity fees are not itemized in the published fee information. - Financial assistance: Financial aid is offered to qualifying families through SSS (School and Student Services).
Refund information
- No published refund policy for deposits, first installments, or tuition refunds appears in the school's published 2025/26 tuition materials. The only published procedural detail is that families sign a contract and pay a first installment to reserve a spot.
Fee payment options
- Specific payment methods (credit card, ACH/bank transfer, online payment portal, or checks) are not itemized in the published tuition materials. The main office contact details are provided for billing or admissions inquiries: phone (646) 869-1152 and info@germanschoolmanhattan.org.
Brief summary of findings and gaps in published information
- Published, load-bearing figures are: USD 200 application fee and annual tuition amounts for 2025/26 (Preschool & Pre-K USD 35,500; Preschool half day 3 days/week USD 32,500; Elementary K–5 USD 42,500). - The published materials confirm that a signed contract and a first installment are required to reserve an offered place, and that financial aid is available through SSS. - The published materials do not provide a full per-term instalment schedule, itemized charges for ancillary services (meals, materials, uniforms, trips), payment-method options, detailed refund policy language, or any boarding fees (the school is a day school). These items are not published in the 2025/26 tuition materials.
(For billing or contract specifics not published above, contact the school's admissions/finance office at the provided phone number or email for the authoritative contract and payment schedule.)
Fee details
Application & Admissions Fees - Clarity financial-aid application submission fee: USD 65 per household (charged when submitting the Clarity application unless an existing Clarity account is already in place). - One-time new-enrollment (registration) fee: USD 1,000 (one-time, due at enrollment for new families).
Annual Tuition — 2026/27 school year (annual amounts by program / year group) - Preschool (ages 3s and 4s): - 5 days: USD 33,500 per year. - 4 days: USD 28,600 per year. - 3 days: USD 23,600 per year. - Lower School (Grades K–5): USD 33,500 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD 36,000 per year.
Other annual/recurring fees - Yearly facility fee: USD 1,000 per year (charged with scheduled installment).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Deposit and installments: - Incoming families: a 10% deposit plus the one-time enrollment fee is due at contract signing. First installment is due March 15, 2026. Second installment and the year facility fee are due September 15, 2026. - Continuing families: first installment due March 15, 2026; second installment and facility fee due by September 15, 2026. - Afterschool program billing: afterschool tuition is calculated per session (per school year). Most classes are USD 1,600 per session/year. Tuition for afterschool may be paid in full at registration or in two installments (first installment due at registration; second installment due September 15). Cancellation for afterschool: 50% of the total cost if cancelled before September 15; no refund if cancelled after September 15.
Per-term (example) breakdown based on the school's deposit + two-installment schedule — illustrative calculations - The school requires a 10% deposit at signing and then schedules two installments (March 15 and September 15). The school materials do not itemize exact installment percentages beyond the 10% deposit; the following figures show how annual tuition would break down if the remaining 90% were split equally between the two scheduled installments (this is an arithmetic example based on the published schedule): - Preschool (5 days) — USD 33,500/year: deposit 10% = USD 3,350; remaining = USD 30,150 → two equal installments of USD 15,075. - Preschool (4 days) — USD 28,600/year: deposit = USD 2,860; remaining = USD 25,740 → two equal installments of USD 12,870. - Preschool (3 days) — USD 23,600/year: deposit = USD 2,360; remaining = USD 21,240 → two equal installments of USD 10,620. - Lower School (K–5) — USD 33,500/year: deposit = USD 3,350; remaining = USD 30,150 → two equal installments of USD 15,075. - Middle School (6–8) — USD 36,000/year: deposit = USD 3,600; remaining = USD 32,400 → two equal installments of USD 16,200. - Note: the above installment numbers are an illustrative calculation using the published 10% deposit plus two scheduled payments; the school's billing materials specify the deposit and dates but do not publish explicit percentage splits for the two scheduled installments.
Boarding fees - The school is a day program serving preschool through grade 8 and does not operate a boarding program; no boarding fees apply.
Other costs and optional fees - Afterschool enrichment: most classes USD 1,600 per session/year; classes requiring more resources are higher. Registration is via Active (enrichment registration) and the afterschool program's cancellation and refund rules apply (50% refund before Sept 15; no refund after Sept 15). - What tuition covers: tuition includes required texts and materials, library books, routine field trips, and early-morning drop-off beginning at 8:00 a.m. (these items are included in the published tuition).
Refunds and cancellation terms - Afterschool refund terms: if a family cancels afterschool enrollment before September 15, the cancellation fee is 50% of the total cost; if cancelled after September 15 there is no refund. - General tuition refunds: the school's published tuition and financial-aid materials list the deposit and installment schedule but do not publish a separate, general tuition refund policy in the same materials. The afterschool program is the only area with a clearly stated cancellation/refund schedule in the school's published program-specific materials.
Fee payment options and mechanics - Billing and tuition management are handled through FACTS (FACTS login is used for school billing). FACTS supports multiple payment-plan structures (pay-in-full, semi-annual, quarterly, monthly plans) and offers ACH/bank drafting and credit-card payment options through its payment services; families typically enroll in a FACTS payment plan or use FACTS' online payment methods. Transaction or processing fees may apply through FACTS for certain payment methods.
If you need these fee items entered into a database field-by-field, the above lists all published fee line items, billing schedule, and program-specific optional fees (afterschool) for the 2026/27 academic year as published for Global School Brooklyn.
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
GSM is a bilingual IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) offered for Preschool (2s–4s) through Grade 5, with two campuses at 85 Warren Street (Kita Preschool) and 74 Warren Street (Dual Immersion Elementary). The curriculum blends German grade-level competencies with New York State Education standards and is aligned with IB principles. After establishing a solid bilingual foundation in kindergarten, instruction in grades 1–5 is split evenly between German and English, with native German teachers guiding German reading, writing, math, social studies, and ethics and native English teachers guiding English reading, writing, social studies, science, and math. Art, music, and movement are taught in both languages, and Spanish is introduced in Grade 3. Classes are small (maximum 20 students per class) to support personalized instruction, reflection, independence, and collaboration within an inquiry-based learning framework. The Kita/Preschool program (ages 2–4) uses a bilingual approach to early childhood learning. The school operates across two campuses: Kita Preschool at 85 Warren Street and Dual Immersion Elementary at 74 Warren Street.
Curriculum details
Global School Brooklyn offers an inquiry-based, holistic curriculum focused on academic inquiry, social-emotional learning, and bilingual education through German-English or Spanish-English tracks. The Lower School teaches primarily in the target language (German or Spanish) with English support. The school serves Preschool (3s & 4s), Lower School (K-5), and Middle School (6-8). The school is a candidate for the IB Middle Years Programme and pursues authorization as an IB World School. In Middle School, German is taught with preparation for the Deutsches Sprachdiplom I (DSDI) in Grade 8; the program includes German, Spanish, English, Social Studies, Mathematics (Illustrative Mathematics), and Integrated Science (Amplify Science).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Class sizes are small. Maximum class size is 20 students per the Academics page; another page notes a maximum of 16 with an average of 12.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
GSB provides high school guidance to 8th graders and publishes the destinations of its graduates. 2025 graduates were admitted to Beacon, BK Friends, Brooklyn Prospect, Brooklyn Tech, Edward Murrow, LaGuardia, Harbor School, and UNIS. 2024 graduates were admitted to LaGuardia, Brooklyn Tech, Brooklyn Latin, UNIS, and other NYC high schools. 2023 graduates were admitted to Stuyvesant, Edward Murrow, LaGuardia, and Brooklyn Tech.
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
1. Apply: Request our application form any time. You will be asked to include the birth certificate, report cards of prior schools and a $200 application fee. Enrollment is rolling for the 2025/26 school year for Preschool through Grade 5.
2. Interviews & Playdates: For Grade 1 or higher, schedule an interview with the child and parent(s)/guardian(s). The interview should be scheduled after submitting the application two days prior. Please request an appointment from the admissions team. Prior knowledge of German is not a prerequisite for admissions K-2; students with strong academic records can be admitted without German language into Grades 3-5. For Preschool or Kindergarten (ages 2-4), open-format playdates are offered; playdates typically occur on Tue/Thu/Fri at 4 PM.
3. Acceptance: Acceptance letters of preferred admissions are sent starting December 1. Families sign the school contract and pay the first installment to reserve a spot (first come first served).
4. Admissions Timetable: For the 2026-27 admissions season, two cycles are used: Early Admissions for siblings and partner-school students; Regular Admissions across all grades. Application Submission Deadline: December 1; Acceptance Notification Date: December 15. Rolling admissions apply for the current year.
5. Current Admissions: We are currently accepting applications for the 2025/26 school year for GSM bilingual Kita Preschool (ages 2-4), GSM bilingual Kindergarten (age 5), and GSM Dual Immersion Elementary School (grades 1-5); interviews are required for the elementary.
6. Open Houses & Tours: In-person open house tours are held at 74 & 85 Warren Streets. Spring tour season includes dates such as 3/5, 3/9, 3/12, 3/26; sign up for open houses online. Virtual Zoom tours are available; community playdates are scheduled on dates such as 3/12, 4/16, 5/14, 6/11; sign up for playdates online.
7. Tuition & Financial Information: Tuition for School Year 2025/26: Preschool & PreK $35,500/year; Preschool half-day 3 days/week $32,500/year; Elementary K-5 $42,500/year. Financial aid is available to qualifying families through SSS.
Admissions
6 Steps from start to finish 1. Create an account on Ravenna. The admissions process for the 2026-27 school year begins on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Our online admissions forms and events are hosted by the Ravenna online application system. To create an account please sign up here.
2. Register for a tour. This is a great opportunity to interact with GSB's exceptional teachers and current families. Come see our campus and learn more about our program. RSVP through your Ravenna account.
3. Submit your application and your student's school report. Submit your online application along with the application fee using your Ravenna account. We require report cards and teacher evaluations for all grade levels, except for Preschool. We require writing samples in English and German for students applying for grades 6 and higher.
4. Apply for financial aid. GSB offers financial aid to applicants for Kindergarten and above, recognizing the importance of making our educational opportunities accessible to a diverse range of families. Please visit our Financial Aid page for more information.
5. Attend a student interview. This is our chance to get to know each other! We'll be able to answer more of your questions and understand your educational goals better. Once you've submitted your application, our admissions team will reach out to schedule an interview.
6. Receive GSB's enrollment notification. 2026/2027 School Year Enrollment Notification Dates: Preschool — February 26, 2026; Family Reply Deadline — March 5, 2026. Kindergarten — February 5, 2026; Family Reply Deadline — February 12, 2026. Grades 1-8 — February 11, 2026; Family Reply Deadline — February 27, 2026. With Contract signed, 10% Deposit due.
Important Key Dates: September 3, 2025 — Application opens. December 5, 2025 — Financial Aid application due. January 9, 2026 — Teacher Evaluations, Report Cards or Reports; Writing Samples in English & German (6 Grade and up). October - January — Student Interviews. February - March 2026 — ISAAGNY Notification & Reply Dates; With Contract signed, 10% Deposit due.
Scholarships
Scholarships
GSM offers financial aid to qualifying families through SSS.