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German International School Chicago

United States, Chicago

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees $18,450 - 22,830
Ages 3 - 14 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2007
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), German Curriculum
Taught languages German, English, Spanish, French
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

German International School Chicago (GISC) is a Preschool–Grade 9 school in Chicago's Ravenswood area offering a German–English bilingual education within the IB framework. The 30,000 sq ft campus serves roughly 200 students from 64 international families representing 40+ nationalities, with 25+ languages spoken. GISC is officially designated as a German School Abroad (DAS) in the U.S. Midwest and was recognized in 2024 for ties to the German education system. The school is an IB World School authorized for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and provides a German-English bilingual curriculum, with the majority of subjects taught in German and full immersion from Day 1 in Preschool. The first high school class is planned to graduate in 2030 under the Strategic Plan 2024–2030. Facilities include a Large Nature Playground and a 6.5:1 student–teacher ratio, enabling small-group learning. The school offers after-school care, World Camp language immersion, and a library serving multiple languages.

www.germanschoolchicago.com

1726 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, United States

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

German International School Chicago has instruction in German, English.

Location
1726 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613. Located in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood.

Stages
Preschool through Grade 9; Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School; bilingual German-English instruction.

Type
IB World School (Authorized for the PYP)

Pupil Nationality Mix
40+ nationalities represented; 64% international families

Country affiliation
Germany; Official German School Abroad (DAS) in the U.S. Midwest
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at German International School Chicago ranges from USD 18,450 to USD 22,830 for 2026/27.

2026–2027 Tuition (by program)
- Preschool Part‑Day (8:00am–1:00pm): USD 18,450 per year.
- Preschool Full‑Day (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 21,950 per year.
- Grades K–9 (8:00am–3:00pm): USD 22,830 per year.

Corporate tuition (by program)
- Preschool Part‑Day: USD 23,450 per year.
- Preschool Full‑Day: USD 26,950 per year.
- Grades K–9: USD 27,830 per year.

Application and enrollment fees
- Admission (application) fee for new students: USD 200 (due with application).
- New family fee (grades K–8) for new families: USD 2,000 (due with first tuition installment).
- Tuition deposit: non‑refundable USD 1,500 due with student registration.

Additional / program fees
- Field trip fee: Preschool USD 75; Grades K–4 USD 100; Grades 5–9 USD 200 (all due with first tuition installment).
- Fast Track German Language Program (Grades 3–6): USD 4,000 per student.
- GPG (parent group) membership fee: USD 60 per student (required as part of enrollment for Deutsche Auslandsschulen).

Tuition reductions and sibling discounts
- Sibling reduction: USD 1,000 off tuition for the second child enrolled. For each additional child, tuition is reduced by one‑third of the original rate.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- A non‑refundable tuition deposit of USD 1,500 is due at registration.
- Remaining tuition balance is billed in two installments due on July 1 and November 1.
- Monthly payment plans are available; enrolling in a monthly plan incurs a 2.5% surcharge to the total tuition, payable with the first installment.
- For corporate tuition arrangements, first‑time enrollment deposit is required; re‑enrolling families with employer‑paid tuition may not be required to pay an upfront deposit. Corporate accounts receive customized payment plans at no additional charge and no finance charges on account balances.

Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school.

Refunds and withdrawal-related terms
- The USD 1,500 tuition deposit is non‑refundable. For corporate tuition arrangements, withdrawal is handled on a prorated basis based on attendance. Other refund or withdrawal specifics are governed by the school's enrollment/financial policies.

Other costs parents commonly pay (examples noted in billing items)
- One‑time or annual charges in addition to tuition can include the new family fee, field trip fees, program fees (e.g., Fast Track German), and GPG membership fee as listed above. These additional charges are charged on or with the first tuition installment unless specified otherwise.

Fee payment options and practical notes on payment
- The school provides installment and monthly payment plan options (monthly plans carry a 2.5% surcharge). Corporate tuition arrangements offer customized payment plans and billing options for employer‑paid tuition. Specific payment method types (for example: credit card, bank transfer/Wire/ACH) are handled through the school's billing processes and accounts receivable procedures. For corporate accounts, no finance charges are assessed on account balances.

Important dates and timing
- Re‑enrollment contracts, new student enrollment contracts, and financial aid applications are noted with a March 31 deadline in the school's enrollment timeline. Installment due dates for tuition are July 1 and November 1.

(End of fee overview)
Academics

German International School Chicago teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), German Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.

Curriculum
GISC is an IB World School authorized for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) offering a German-English bilingual education from Preschool through Grade 9. The majority of subjects are taught in German, and there is full German immersion from Day 1. It is a bilingual program spanning Preschool–Grade 9, with IB credentials and an emphasis on international education.

Student Teacher Ratio
6.5:1

Gifted and Talented
Fast Track German Language Program (FTGLP) is open to gifted students in Grades 3-6.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
The school offers a personalized bilingual and international education from Preschool through Grade 8, with High School Grade 9 launching in 2026-2027 and first graduates expected in 2030. It is currently enrolling Preschool to Grade 9. The Expat Brochure describes a full-day preschool through 8th grade program with flexible after-school care until 6:00 pm and extracurricular opportunities for children aged 3 to 14. Classes are taught in German and English, combining German and US curricula within the International Baccalaureate framework. Students in Grade 8 take the DSD I exam. GISC supports a seamless enrollment process through a personalized admissions path and reserves spots in every class for expat families to avoid the stress of a waitlist. GISC accepts new students at any time during the school year.

Waitlist
Expat families have reserved spots in every class to avoid the uncertainty of a waitlist.
School Events
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