German International School of Silicon Valley - Mountain View Campus vs Springbridge International School - Hamilton Avenue

	G German International School of Silicon Valley - Mountain View Campus San Francisco, United States	S Springbridge International School - Hamilton Avenue San Francisco, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $15,500 - 42,225	Fees / year $15,394 - 23,894
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 14 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 519	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language German, English	Instruction language English, Japanese, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1999	Opened —
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 The school operates two campuses in the San Jose–Campbell area of California: Preschool & Kindergarten at 1625 W. Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008; Grades 1–8 at 1980 Hamilton Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. The campuses are located in Campbell and San Jose, within the San Jose–Campbell metropolitan area.
Stages	Stages Mountain View: Preschool–12; San Francisco: Preschool–8.	Stages Preschool & Kindergarten; Elementary and Middle School (Grades 1–8).
School type	School type Independent, nonprofit preschool–12 school with two campuses.	School type Independent, coeducational bilingual school offering Japanese/English or Mandarin/English programs.
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 —
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 Day begins around 8:00 a.m. and ends around 5:30–6:00 p.m., with aftercare available to 6:00 p.m. Instruction is bilingual, with English plus Japanese or English plus Mandarin, and includes learning blocks and activities throughout the day.
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 Application fees - Preschool application fee: USD 175 (non‑refundable). - Elementary application fee: USD 150 (non‑refundable). Tuition fees by programme and year group (detailed) - Kindergarten – Grade 8 (day students): USD 14,936 per year (tuition). - Equivalent monthly amount when the annual figure is expressed over 10 months: USD 1,493.60 per month (calculated from the published 10‑month basis). - Preschool (multiple enrollment patterns listed separately): - Preschool — Five full days (8:00am–6:00pm): USD 23,436 per year (amount shown on the published schedule; expressed on a 12‑month basis). - Preschool — Five school days (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 20,496 per year. - Preschool — Five mornings (8:00am–12:00pm): USD 14,664 per year. - Preschool — Three full days (8:00am–6:00pm): USD 14,064 per year (12‑month basis). - Preschool — Three school days (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 12,300 per year. - Preschool — Three mornings (8:00am–12:00pm): USD 8,808 per year. - Preschool — Two full days (8:00am–6:00pm): USD 9,384 per year (12‑month basis). - Preschool — Two school days (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 8,196 per year. - Preschool — Two mornings (8:00am–12:00pm): USD 5,856 per year. - Pre‑K (separate Pre‑K listing): - Pre‑K — Five full days (8:00am–6:00pm): USD 17,840 per year (10‑month basis shown). - Pre‑K — Five school days (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 15,600 per year. - Pre‑K — Three full days (8:00am–6:00pm): USD 10,700 per year (10‑month basis shown). - Pre‑K — Three school days (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 9,360 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Kindergarten–Grade 8 tuition is presented on a 10‑month basis in the published schedule; preschool plans are presented on either 10‑month or 12‑month bases depending on the specific program variant. (Monthly equivalents above are calculated from those published bases when a 10‑ or 12‑month basis is shown.) - Registration deposit for Kindergarten–Grade 8: 10% of the annual tuition (amount shown as the registration deposit). - Materials fee (Pre‑K through Grade 8): USD 458 per year (annual materials/supplies fee listed). - Extended care (after school care 3:45pm–6:00pm) is shown as USD 25 per hour. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered; Springbridge operates as a day school with separate preschool/kindergarten and grades 1–8 day campuses. Other costs and recurring charges - Uniforms for Kindergarten–Grade 8 are purchased separately by families. - Materials/supplies fee: USD 458 per year (listed as a separate annual charge). - Extended care billed at USD 25 per hour for the stated hours (3:45pm–6:00pm). - Sibling discount: a 10% discount applies to the cheaper tuition when two or more children attend concurrently (discount applies to tuition only). Refund information - Application fees are explicitly non‑refundable (Preschool application fee USD 175 non‑refundable; Elementary application fee USD 150 non‑refundable). Fee payment options - Online bill payment via a third‑party bill‑pay service is available (the school is listed with a payment aggregator that accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple Pay, or bank account/ACH payments). Notes on how amounts are presented in the schedule - Published tuition figures are shown as annual amounts; some annual figures are expressed on a 10‑month or 12‑month billing basis in the published schedule and have been presented here in the same form. Monthly equivalents shown above are computed from those published 10‑ or 12‑month bases and are identified as calculated values.
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 Mandarin Immersion Program uses a Two-Way Dual Mandarin Immersion model. All traditional subjects—math, science, social studies, and history—are taught in both Mandarin and English. Students meet or exceed academic content standards in English and develop bilingual and biliterate proficiency. Language development is supported with opportunities to speak, listen, read and write throughout the day; instruction time by grade levels is Mandarin-dominant early and balanced later: Preschool 80% Mandarin / 20% English; PreKindergarten and Kindergarten 70% / 30%; 1st–2nd 60% / 40%; 3rd–4th 50% / 50%; 5th grade and up 40% / 60%. Japanese Immersion Program uses MOE-approved textbooks for mathematics and Japanese language; Life, Science, and Social Studies are taught through concrete activities; Moral Education, Physical Education, Art and Music are included; students practice presenting and using correct Japanese in daily life. Both programs aim to develop bilingual and biliterate proficiency and strong cultural understanding.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Student-teacher ratios average under 20:1 at school and about 10:1 in preschool.	Student teacher ratio —
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 Enrollment is open for Japanese and Mandarin immersion programs for children from age 24 months and potty trained through grade 8. Preschool enrollment is year round; the academic year commences in the fall. Class size is limited and applicants are encouraged to apply early. After submitting your completed application, the school will contact you for an assessment in English language arts and math, and in either Japanese or Mandarin. Mandarin-speaking ability is not required for preschool or kindergarten enrollment. An observation/shadow day is part of the admissions process. Tours are by appointment and admissions testing is by appointment. Preschool Application and Elementary Application are view/download. Open House 2026 flyer is available for download. The school is located at 1625 W.
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 —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →