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United States, San Francisco
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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.
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]
German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) is an independent, nonprofit preschool–12 school with campuses in Mountain View and San Francisco, offering a dual-language education in German and English based on the Thuringian curriculum. The age range is 2 to 18. The school provides preschool–12 bilingual instruction with English and California standards integrated. Students graduate with both the German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma, enabling admission to universities in the United States, Germany and other European countries. The school is accredited by the German Government (ZfA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Classes are small, with student-teacher ratios averaging under 20:1 overall and about 10:1 in preschool. From grade 6, students can study additional languages (French in Mountain View; Spanish in Mountain View and SF). The curriculum emphasizes project-based learning, social-emotional development, critical thinking, and access to science and technology resources. Beyond academics, GISSV offers orchestras, choir, musical theater, clubs, and international exchange programs, fostering a global community.
