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United States, San Francisco
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The German International School of Silicon Valley offers a bilingual German–English education for preschool through grade 12. The curriculum blends a liberal arts foundation with dual-language instruction and a project-based, cross-curricular approach that supports independent learning. Graduates earn both the California High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, reflecting accreditation by WASC and the California Association of Independent Schools. The program emphasizes critical thinking, creativity and global perspectives.
The school provides opportunities in music, drama and arts, including Junior Orchestra and Senior Orchestra, and a cross-campus Choir. The Orchestra groups perform at school ceremonies and at public and official events, while the Choir engages middle and high school students, parents, teachers and community members. In after-school time, students can participate in Musical Theater, Orchestra, Choir, Art, Sewing, Creative Writing/Young Journalists, and a Lego-Robotics Club.
The school supports dual-language learning in German and English across two campuses (Mountain View and San Francisco). It hosts Saturday language and culture sessions at the Mountain View campus for the broader community. It organizes exchange programs with partner schools in Dresden, Chile and France, and hosts cultural events such as Laternenfest and the German Holiday Market.
Afternoon Clubs offer a range of activities for elementary through high school, including Lego-Robotics, Musical Theater, Orchestra, Choir, Creative Writing/Young Journalists, Sewing and Art. Students can also participate in athletics such as soccer, tennis, cross-country and swimming, with middle/high school teams in local leagues and an elementary soccer team in the Sunnyvale Alliance league. These programs provide opportunities to pursue hobbies and collaborative projects beyond the classroom.
GISSV builds Global Community Stewardship through cross-cultural exchange and environmental stewardship, with involvement in community programs and partnerships with schools in North America, Germany and Mexico. Secondary-school extracurricular activities include service-oriented clubs such as the Interact Club, GISSV TV and Eco School.
GISSV offers mentoring for grades 9–12, Internship Week in the 10th grade, and a Career Counseling program for high school students. Students can develop leadership and professional skills through the Entrepreneurship Club and Model United Nations, alongside other senior-level activities like High School Drama and Youth Orchestra.
Sports programs include Girls Volleyball and Co-ed Soccer, with additional options such as sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding. The school also supports cross-country running and other athletic activities as part of the secondary-school extracurricular landscape.
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.
