Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
United States, Chicago
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
The languages of instruction are German and English in a German-English bilingual education. After preschool, students are placed in Become Bilingual Program (BBP) or Fast Track German Language Program (FTGLP). BBP serves Kindergarten–Grade 2 and supports German Language Learners and English Language Learners with targeted instruction; FTGLP serves Grades 3–6 for students with little or no German experience to develop German language skills.
German-English bilingual education is central to GISC. GISC students are fluent in both German and English and are prepared to study in German-speaking countries and beyond. Preschool offers full German immersion from day one. New students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 join the Become Bilingual Program as German Language Learners, and students in Grades 3–6 join the Fast Track German Language Program for those with little or no German experience.
Preschool provides full German immersion from day one. All students experience immersion in daily school life, with German heard in hallways, on the playground, and beyond. The Become Bilingual Program and Fast Track German Language Program supplement immersion with highly targeted language instruction to support language acquisition.
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.
