German International School of Silicon Valley - Mountain View Campus vs Shu Ren International School

	G German International School of Silicon Valley - Mountain View Campus San Francisco, United States	S Shu Ren International School San Francisco, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $15,500 - 42,225	Fees / year $29,348 - 30,950
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 519	Pupils 185
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language German, English	Instruction language Mandarin, English
Opened	Opened 1999	Opened 2008
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location GISSV has two campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area: Mountain View and San Francisco. The Mountain View Campus is at 310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043. The San Francisco Campus is at 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA 94114.	Location Berkeley, California, United States. 2125 Jefferson Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703.
Stages	Stages Mountain View: Preschool–12; San Francisco: Preschool–8.	Stages Early Childhood (Ages 2-5) and Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 5).
School type	School type Independent, nonprofit preschool–12 school with two campuses.	School type Private international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Inclusion Specialists work with students who benefit from extra support due to learning differences or physical challenges; they collaborate with teachers to adapt curriculum and provide small-group or individualized instruction. Counselors focus on social-emotional learning and overall well-being.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Germany; dual-language education based on the German curriculum of Thuringia; accredited by the German Government (ZfA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Preschool options include 7:30 am–5:00 pm (Mountain View) or 8:00 am–5:00 pm (San Francisco). For Elementary, classes start at 8:00 am and generally end at 1:50 pm.	School day structure Extended Day and Extracurricular Programs available; Summer School offered.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - New student application fee (per child): USD 75. One-time and annual school-wide fees - Enrollment fee (annual, per child): USD 825. - Society membership fee (annual, per family account): USD 150. - Facilities fee (annual, per family account): USD 1,250. Rebates and sibling discounts - Loyalty rebate: USD 700 per child after five years of consecutive enrollment; USD 1,200 per child after seven years of consecutive enrollment. - Sibling rebate: 10% off the lower of two tuitions; 20% off the lowest of three (or more) tuitions. Annual tuition — Mountain View campus (2026/27 school year) - Preschool & Kindergarten - Preschool (Ages 2–3) 5‑day AM: USD 26,000. - Preschool (Ages 3–4.11) 5‑day AM: USD 26,900. - Preschool (Ages 3–4.11) 5‑day Full‑Day: USD 35,250. - Kindergarten 5‑day AM (Ages 5–6): USD 26,900. - Kindergarten 5‑day Full‑Day (Ages 5–6): USD 35,250. - Grades 1–12 (Morning Program, 8:00 am–1:50 pm) - Grades 1–4 (annual): USD 27,700. - Grades 5–8 (annual): USD 32,200. - Grades 9–12 (annual): USD 35,750. - Afternoon Program (5 days/week; 2:00–5:00 pm) - Grades 1–4 (annual): USD 6,600. - Grades 5–8 (annual): USD 6,100. Annual tuition — San Francisco campus (2026/27 school year) - Preschool & Kindergarten - Preschool 5‑day AM (Ages 3–4.11): USD 30,550. - Preschool 5‑day Full‑Day (Ages 3–4.11): USD 40,000. - Kindergarten 5‑day AM (Ages 5–6): USD 30,550. - Kindergarten 5‑day Full‑Day (Ages 5–6): USD 40,000. - Grades 1–8 (Morning Program, 8:00 am–1:50 pm) - Grades 1–4 (annual): USD 31,850. - Grades 5–8 (annual): USD 35,300. - Grade 9 (added 2026/27): USD 35,750 (2026/27). - Afternoon Program (5 days/week; 2:00–5:00 pm) - Grades 1–8 (annual): USD 9,200. Per‑term figures (calculation note) - The published tuition rates on the school pages are stated as annual amounts for each program and grade band. The school notes that annual tuition may be prorated for students who start mid‑year; several annual fees are explicitly non‑prorated. The per‑term amounts below are an arithmetic division of the listed annual tuition by three (3) to provide an illustrative per‑term figure for database display where a per‑term field is required. This per‑term breakdown is an arithmetic inference (annual ÷ 3) and is shown only to provide consistent per‑term entries; the school publishes tuition as annual amounts. - Example per‑term (Mountain View, Grades 1–4): Annual USD 27,700 → Per term (illustrative) USD 9,233.33 (27,700 ÷ 3). - Example per‑term (San Francisco, Grades 1–4): Annual USD 31,850 → Per term (illustrative) USD 10,616.67 (31,850 ÷ 3). Billing schedule and payment terms - The school lists the enrollment, society membership and facilities fees as annual charges (fees will not be prorated). Annual tuition is published by program and grade; the school states that annual tuition might be prorated for mid‑year starts. - Visiting students pay a daily fee and must present payment in full by the first day of the visit; guest (non‑U.S. resident) students must pay tuition in full at enrollment (tuition will be prorated for guest students but annual fees may not be). - The school's bylaws note that membership (required for attendance) may be terminated for non‑payment after a written reminder if fees remain unpaid for 30 days following that reminder. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. GISSV operates two day campuses (Mountain View and San Francisco) and does not list boarding or residential options. Other costs and typical additional charges - Afternoon/extended‑care program fees (annual rates listed above) apply if enrolled in those programs. - Parents should expect additional, separate costs for items such as spiritwear/uniforms (Spiritwear store), library and school supplies, field trips, exam fees, and optional extracurricular activities. A school Spiritwear/online store and a Library & School Supplies section are part of the school's published program resources. These items are generally billed or purchased separately from tuition. Refund information - For summer programs, the school publishes a specific refund schedule (examples: full refund within a short cancellation window after registration; staged refunds with decreasing percentages the closer to camp start date), and summer refunds are processed within business days as noted in the camp policy. Summer camp refund rules and schedules are explicit for camp registration. - For visiting/guest student arrangements, visiting students pay per day and that payment is applied to tuition if they enroll full time; guest students must pay in full at enrollment (the site indicates tuition for guest students will be prorated). - Annual enrollment, society membership and facilities fees are presented as non‑prorated annual charges; the school's published material indicates these annual fees will not be prorated. Fee payment options - The school uses an online parent/administration portal for account access and online payments. The school's giving/payments information confirms acceptance of credit card and eCheck (ACH) payments through its secure online payment system; the school also supports payments submitted through the school's parent portals. Historic payment instructions reference the school's online payment portal for one‑time fee payments. Notes on timing and display for a database - The listed tuition numbers are the school's published annual rates for the 2026/27 school year for each campus and program. The school states some fees will not be prorated while annual tuition may be prorated for delayed starts; guest students and visiting students have distinct payment requirements. Use the annual figures as the authoritative amounts and the per‑term figures above only as an arithmetic, illustrative division (annual ÷ 3) if a per‑term field is required by your database.	Fee details Applicable academic year: 2025/2026. Application fee - One-time application fee: USD 100 (charged at application). The application fee is non-refundable. Tuition fees — annual and per-term equivalent (by year group / grade) - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual tuition USD 29,348 — Per-term equivalent (annual ÷ 3) USD 9,782.67. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual tuition USD 29,348 — Per-term equivalent USD 9,782.67. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual tuition USD 29,348 — Per-term equivalent USD 9,782.67. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): Annual tuition USD 30,923 — Per-term equivalent USD 10,307.67. - Grade 1 (age 6): Annual tuition USD 30,950 — Per-term equivalent USD 10,316.67. - Grade 2 (age 7): Annual tuition USD 30,950 — Per-term equivalent USD 10,316.67. - Grade 3 (age 8): Annual tuition USD 30,950 — Per-term equivalent USD 10,316.67. - Grade 4 (age 9): Annual tuition USD 30,950 — Per-term equivalent USD 10,316.67. - Grade 5 (age 10): Annual tuition USD 30,950 — Per-term equivalent USD 10,316.67. - (If applicable) Grade 6 listing appears in published fee summaries with annual tuition USD 30,950 — per-term equivalent USD 10,316.67. - Note on first-year total: for a new enrollee the first-year total commonly shown includes the one-time application charge; an example published total for a 2-year-old's first year is USD 29,448 (annual tuition plus the one-time application fee). What the tuition covers - Published tuition descriptions indicate the annual tuition covers classroom materials, access to learning technology, and enriching field trips and related program elements. Billing schedule and payment terms - Published fees are presented as annual amounts. No publicly posted per-term billing schedule, specific installment plans, or late-payment penalties were found in the available fee summaries. Families should expect the school to bill on an annual basis or to offer school-managed payment arrangements; the published figures above are the annual amounts. Sibling discounts and financial assistance - Sibling discount: a USD 2,000 tuition-credit is offered for the youngest sibling in families with multiple children enrolled. Financial assistance is offered for Kindergarten through Grade 5 applicants (details handled through admissions/financial-aid processes). Boarding fees - Shu Ren operates as a day school for ages 2–12; there is no boarding program and therefore no boarding fees. Other costs or fees - Optional / additional charges that may apply: optional hot-lunch orders, extended-day or aftercare program fees, extracurricular activity fees, occasional field-trip fees if outside regular programming, and any optional services selected by the family. Published material identifies lunch service and extended care as available options. Uniforms are listed as not required. Refund information - The application fee is charged as a one-time fee and is reported as non-refundable. A publicly posted, detailed tuition-refund or withdrawal refund schedule was not available in the fee summaries consulted. Fee payment options - No explicit, publicly posted list of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, check) was found in the published fee summaries. The school uses a parent/admissions portal for account management; billing and specific accepted-payment methods are administered through the school's billing office and parent portal. Limitations and brief note on missing details - The figures above are the published annual tuition amounts and the one-time application fee reported in the 2025/2026 fee summaries. A per-term billing breakdown, explicit billing calendar, detailed payment terms, a full tuition-refund/withdrawal schedule, and a public list of accepted payment methods were not provided in the publicly available fee material consulted. Per-term numbers shown above are per-term equivalents (annual ÷ 3) calculated for convenience because only annual amounts were published.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details GISSV provides preschool-12 dual-language education in German and English at two Bay Area campuses. All programs are bilingual and based on the Thuringian curriculum with English and California standards integrated. A multilingual curriculum begins in preschool and adds language courses in grade 6 (French in Mountain View; Spanish in Mountain View and San Francisco). The upper grades follow the German education structure and prepare for Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma. Graduates earn two diplomas—the German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma—enabling admission to universities in the United States, Germany and other European countries. Student-teacher ratios average under 20:1 at school and about 10:1 in preschool; the school is accredited by the German government and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).	Curriculum details Blends the International Baccalaureate (IB) program with full Mandarin immersion for Early Childhood (ages 2–5) and Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5). The program centers on the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and uses a concept-based inquiry cycle to develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions for lifelong learning. Students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions, make connections across subjects, and apply learning to real-world contexts. Social-emotional learning is embedded in the curriculum, with the Responsive Classroom approach, Zones of Regulation, and Personal, Social, and Physical Education (PSPE) supporting wellbeing and global citizenship. Small class sizes and a close-knit community ensure every child is seen and supported. .
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Student-teacher ratios average under 20:1 at school and about 10:1 in preschool.	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes support individualized attention.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates earn two diplomas—the German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma—enabling admission to universities in the United States, Germany and other European countries.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Differentiated learning opportunities with individualized learning plans support entering students; small class sizes facilitate personalized attention.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school welcomes students of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds and serves students from two to eighteen years old. The enrollment period begins in January and February of each year for the upcoming school year, and new students may be admitted throughout the school year based on availability. Knowledge of the German language is required for all children who enroll after 1st grade, and there is a German Fast Track Program.	Admissions 1. Connect with Us. Fill out our short Inquiry Form so we can get to know your family and start the conversation. The inquiry begins the admissions process and helps us understand your child's needs. Our admissions team will respond with next steps and available options, and you'll be invited to take the next step in person. Take the first step by connecting with Shu Ren to learn more about our Mandarin immersion program and community. 2. Come Visit. Join us for a personal tour—step into our classrooms, meet our caring teachers, and feel the warmth of our community. The visit provides an in-person look at the learning environment and the people who guide your child's day. You can ask questions and observe how our program operates in practice. 3. Start your Application. When you feel ready, we'll send you a personalized link to start your application. The admissions team is available to answer questions and offer support along the way. The application process begins once you access the personalized link and submit the required information. 4. Join Our Community. Enroll at Shu Ren and step into a global community where your child can grow, thrive, and discover their unique superpower. Enrollment marks the culmination of the admissions journey and the start of your child's Shu Ren experience.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school offers need-based financial aid for students entering grades K through 12. A professional third-party reviewer assesses household income/assets and each family's ability to pay. The school makes every effort to meet demonstrated need of admitted or enrolled financial aid applicants, but resources are not always sufficient. Applicants are encouraged to apply; however, there is no guarantee that aid will be fulfilled or that it will be fulfilled at the level requested. Because of high demand and deadlines, all documents must be submitted by the prescribed deadlines for returning and new students. Currently enrolled families must be up-to-date on tuition payments to be eligible. Aid decisions are communicated before enrollment, and all information is kept confidential. New students must submit a school application before financial aid is considered, and contact admissions for an access code. The next financial aid application period is for the 2026-2027 school year, with award decisions by April 30, 2026, and the school must receive all required enrollment documents beforehand. To apply, families use the Clarity platform; steps include starting the application, adding the school to the entry, entering financial information, paying a $65 Clarity fee, and completing the Enhanced Tax Verification if required. International families may need to provide translated income documentation.[source: turn2view0]	Scholarships Sibling Tuition: We offer a $2000 tuition discount credit for the youngest sibling in families with multiple children enrolled at Shu Ren. Financial Assistance: If you're applying for Kindergarten through 5th grade and need financial support, connect with our Admissions Team to learn about available assistance.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →