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United States, Boston
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Founded in 2001 by a dedicated group of parents, GISB is an officially recognized German School Abroad. It moved to 57 Holton Street in Allston in 2006, where the Upper Campus houses the elementary, middle, and high school programs. In 2011 the German government designated GISB an Exzellente Auslandsschule, and the first senior class graduated in 2013 with the German International Abitur. GISB became a MINT Friendly School in 2015, and the Lower Campus opened in 2017 on Western Avenue. In 2024 GISB expanded with long-term leases for 57 Holton Street and 46 Belmont Street in Watertown; renovations in 2025 opened the new Lower Campus at 46 Belmont Street for Preschool–Grade 3, while Grades 4–12 returned to the renovated Upper Campus.
GISB operates on two campuses: the Upper Campus at 57 Holton Street, Boston, and the Lower Campus at 46 Belmont Street, Watertown. The community hosts events such as the Spring Concert, Lion King Musical, Sound of Summer Concert, and GISB Flea Market (Flohmarkt), along with programs like the Spring Vacation Program and various field trips and performances. The school also offers author readings, parent education, clubs, and other extracurricular activities across both campuses.
GISB is a non-profit membership organization governed by a Board of Trustees. All current parents become members, and memberships are available to community members who are not enrolled at the school (for example, alumni); non-parent memberships carry an annual fee. At the start of each school year, every class elects representatives to the Parent Council, which meets approximately every six weeks to share information, address concerns, and collaborate with the school administration. The Parent Council also organizes community events, the staff appreciation fund, teacher gifts, and staff appreciation day. Parents can volunteer in the classroom, chaperone field trips, or help with community events, and there are opportunities to contribute through leadership roles and board committees.
GISB is a bilingual independent school serving preschool through grade 12 across two Boston-area campuses. It follows a KMK-approved German curriculum and prepares students for the Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA), conferring both the DIA and the Massachusetts high school diploma. The program emphasizes German and English language proficiency and requires study in at least one additional world language from grade 6 through 10. In high school, science and mathematics receive substantial instructional hours (13–16 per week across four years), and college-level mathematics, science, and history are required. AP German Language & Culture is available from grade 10. All graduates are fluent in English and German and pursue higher education, with 100% entering higher education. GISB is a German government-recognized German School Abroad and earned the Exzellente Auslandsschule designation in 2011; it became a MINT Friendly School in 2015. The Lower Campus (Preschool–Grade 3) is in Watertown; the Upper Campus (Grades 4–12) is in Boston. Facilities include a bilingual library, a dedicated music room, a teaching kitchen, and a gym.
