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United States, Chicago
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After School Programs include After Care (supervised free play), academic programs, sports & movement, and arts & music. After Care runs from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with two sessions: 3:00–4:30 and 4:30–6:00. World Camp offers in-person language immersion camps in German, French, Italian, Arabic, or Mandarin for ages 3–11, and Investigative Learning Camps for ages 11–14 (German, English, and French speakers). The library provides more than 8,000 print resources in German, English, Spanish, and French to support literacy and research.
Music and the arts are an integral part of the curriculum. German history and culture are celebrated through music and visual arts, with events such as the Winter Concert and Spring Art & Music Show. After-School Art & Music Programs offer classes in arts & crafts, piano, guitar, percussion, and more.
GISC is a German-English bilingual IB World School. Our language immersion program provides students with the tools to learn and communicate effectively in German. World Camp offers in-person language immersion in German, French, Italian, Arabic, and Mandarin for ages 3–11, and Investigative Learning Camps for ages 11–14 for German, English, and French speakers. Community events celebrate German language and culture, including Oktoberfest, Laternenfest, St. Martin's Parade, and Nikolaus.
The GISC community hosts a range of events organized by the GISC Parent Group (GPG) and the school, including the von Steuben Parade, Oktoberfest, Laternenfest & St. Martin's Parade, Nikolaus, Lunar New Year, Fasching, Spring Concert & Art Showcase, Grandparents & Special Friends Day, and End of School Potluck. The GPG is led by an elected team of parent volunteers and focuses on three areas: supporting the school and teachers, supporting parents, and fostering community. Committees include Adult Karneval, Decoration, Gala, Garden, Laternenfest, and Yearbook, and community activities include New Family Integration, Kaffeekränzchen, Spielgruppe, Library Volunteers, Flohmarkt, International Potluck, Crafternoon, and Mamás Hispanoparlantes.
Volunteering for field trips, classroom presentations, and school events is organized by the GPG, which also coordinates a range of community activities to engage families. The GPG is represented by two room parents in every classroom who attend monthly meetings with the GPG board and school administration. Committees support fundraising, decorations, and event planning (Adult Karneval, Gala, Garden, Laternenfest, Yearbook), while community activities include New Family Integration, Kaffeekränzchen, Spielgruppe, Library Volunteers, Flohmarkt, International Potluck, Crafternoon, and Mamás Hispanoparlantes.
The GPG is led by an elected team of parent volunteers. Two room parents in every classroom represent the GPG and attend monthly meetings with the GPG board and school administration. The group maintains committees including Adult Karneval, Decoration, Gala, Garden, Laternenfest, and Yearbook, and coordinates community activities such as New Family Integration, Kaffeekränzchen, Spielgruppe, and Library Volunteers. Participation offers flexible opportunities regardless of work schedules or language abilities.
After-School Care is offered from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with sessions from 3:00–4:30 and 4:30–6:00, providing a supervised space for activities. The After-Care program includes supervision plus sports & movement and arts & music. A weekly GISC Playgroup runs on Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 10:00 am for babies and toddlers in the gym, playground, or local parks, with no language requirement. Summer Camp features World Camp language immersion in German, French, Italian, Arabic, and Mandarin, and Investigative Learning Camps for ages 11–14, offering cultural and linguistic engagement in the summer.
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.
