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German International School of Silicon Valley – San Francisco Campus

United States, San Francisco

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1999
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages German, English, Spanish, French
Strengths Languages, STEM, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

German International School of Silicon Valley – San Francisco Campus is an independent, nonprofit Preschool–Grade 8 school delivering a bilingual German-English program with a Thuringia-based curriculum and a German International Abitur pathway. Located at 117 Diamond Street in San Francisco's Castro/Eureka Valley, the campus forms part of a two-campus Bay Area system that shares a common educational philosophy. The SF campus opened in 2011 and relocated to its Castro site in 2020, serving Preschool through Grade 8, with Grade 9 planned for 2027/28. Class sizes are small to support personalized attention, and learning emphasizes project-based approaches and digital literacy alongside a comprehensive science and technology program. DaZ/ESL support accompanies a dual-language model from first grade, and a third foreign language (Spanish) begins in grade 6. The after-school program offers language, music, art, science, technology and sports activities, with cultural events and field trips that connect students to the wider Bay Area.

117 Diamond St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The Essentials

German International School of Silicon Valley – San Francisco Campus has instruction in German, English.

Location
San Francisco Campus: 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. GISSV has two campuses in the Bay Area: Mountain View and San Francisco.

Stages
Preschool–Grade 12

Type
Independent, nonprofit preschool–grade 12 school

Pupil Nationality Mix
540 students from 38 nationalities

Additional learning support
Differentiated learning experiences; emphasis on social-emotional development; Student Support

Country affiliation
Germany (German curriculum from Thuringia)
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Healthy snacks are provided in the Afternoon Program. The Afternoon Club offers homework help, leisure time and a variety of activities.

Governance and Ownership
The German International School of Silicon Valley is an independent, nonprofit preschool–grade 12 school with two locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Fees
Application & one-time fees
- One-time application fee (new students, per child): USD 75.
- Enrollment fee (annual, per child): USD 825.
- Society membership (annual, per family account): USD 150.
- Facilities fee (annual, per family account): USD 1,250.

Annual tuition rates — San Francisco Campus (2026/27 school year)
- Preschool 5‑Day AM program (ages 3–4.11; Mon–Fri 8:00–13:30): USD 30,550 per year.
- Preschool 5‑Day Full‑Day program (ages 3–4.11; Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00): USD 40,000 per year.
- Kindergarten 5‑Day AM program (ages 5–6; Mon–Fri 8:00–13:30): USD 30,550 per year.
- Kindergarten 5‑Day Full‑Day program (ages 5–6; Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00): USD 40,000 per year.
- Grades 1–4 Morning Program (8:00–13:50): USD 31,850 per year.
- Grades 5–8 Morning Program (8:00–13:50): USD 35,300 per year.
- Grade 9 Morning Program (listed in the 2026/27 fee table): USD 35,750 per year.
- Afternoon Program (Grades 1–8; 5 days/week 14:00–17:00): USD 9,200 per year (single‑day enrollment possible).

Per‑term examples (calculated from published annual rates)
- The school publishes annual tuition rates. The per‑term figures below are arithmetic divisions of the published annual amount (examples shown for a 2‑semester and a 3‑term/trimestral billing structure):
- Preschool / Kindergarten 5‑Day AM (USD 30,550): per semester (2) = USD 15,275; per term (3) ≈ USD 10,183.
- Preschool / Kindergarten Full‑Day (USD 40,000): per semester (2) = USD 20,000; per term (3) ≈ USD 13,333.
- Grades 1–4 (USD 31,850): per semester (2) = USD 15,925; per term (3) ≈ USD 10,617.
- Grades 5–8 (USD 35,300): per semester (2) = USD 17,650; per term (3) ≈ USD 11,767.
- Grade 9 (USD 35,750): per semester (2) = USD 17,875; per term (3) ≈ USD 11,917.
- Afternoon Program (USD 9,200): per semester (2) = USD 4,600; per term (3) ≈ USD 3,067.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment, society membership and facilities fees are presented as annual charges and are listed as not prorated for the academic year in the school's fee material. Annual tuition is published as an annual amount; the school's materials also note that annual tuition might be prorated based on a student's start date in certain cases. Loyalty and sibling rebates are applied as described by the school (loyalty rebate after 5 and 7 consecutive years; sibling rebate: 10% on the lower of two tuitions, 20% on the lowest of three or more).
- The school uses an online parent/payment portal for fee payments and posts instructions for making payments through that portal. Specific billing schedules (number and timing of installments or available payment plans) and the precise billing dates are administered through the school's billing/enrollment process and parent portal.

Boarding fees
- The San Francisco campus is a day campus serving preschool–grade 12; no boarding program is offered and therefore no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and optional fees
- Afternoon program (extended‑day care) for Grades 1–8 is listed separately (USD 9,200 per year).
- Summer camp, Saturday school and other programs have separate fee schedules and separate refund rules; extended‑care, lunch service and some camp items are charged in addition to program tuition where noted.
- School spiritwear and school supplies are available for purchase through the school's spirit store; occasional field‑trip or extracurricular activity fees and optional program charges may apply.

Refund information
- Summer camp refund schedule (examples): staged refunds are published for camp registration (for example, 95% refund 28+ days before camp start; lower percentages closer to start); camp refunds are processed within the school's payments system timelines.
- Saturday School: a full refund is offered for withdrawal before the third class session minus a 5% cancellation fee; after the third session refunds are generally not given except for special circumstances.
- A general, consolidated tuition‑withdrawal or tuition‑refund schedule for regular annual tuition (day‑school program) is not published with the annual fee tables; specific withdrawal/refund terms for full‑year tuition and installment billing are provided through the school's enrollment and billing communications.

Fee payment options
- Online payments by credit card or eCheck (ACH) are accepted through the school's secure online payment portal and parent payment systems. Written payment instructions have been posted historically in the school's parent/payment portals. The school's billing office and parent portal administer payment processing and specific payment methods.

(Notes: the figures above are the published annual fees for the San Francisco campus for the 2026/27 school year; per‑term amounts in the "Per‑term examples" section are arithmetic divisions of the published annual rates to illustrate common billing splits.)
Academics

German International School of Silicon Valley – San Francisco Campus teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
:{

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes and a favorable student-to-teacher ratio.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates earn German International Abitur and a U.S. High School Diploma; UC A–G alignment supports admission to U.S. universities.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-emotional well-being is central to learning. The program is well-balanced, project-based and differentiated, fostering social-emotional competency, critical thinking, artistic expression and physical motor skills, while building a strong sense of community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Inclusion Specialists work with students who benefit from additional support due to learning differences or physical challenges. They collaborate with teachers to adapt instruction and provide individualized or small-group support so all students can participate in classroom life.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school provides strong language support for students with little or no prior knowledge of German or English. DaZ (German as a Second Language) and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs ensure that every student can thrive in the bilingual environment.

Mental Wellbeing
School counselors support students' social-emotional well-being and personal development, focusing on emotional support, coping strategies, social relationships, resilience, and grade-level transitions.

Safeguarding
Student well-being is central to learning; counselors and inclusion specialists collaborate with teachers to support students as individuals—socially, emotionally and developmentally—so they feel safe, connected and ready to learn.
Parent Experience

History
GISSV was founded in 1999 by six German and American families who sought a dual-language school combining German educational standards with the U.S. school system. In February 2000, the school welcomed its first 34 students in Mountain View. In 2003, the school was renamed the German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) to reflect its increasingly international and multilingual community. GISSV opened a second campus in San Francisco in 2011, and an East Bay campus was established in 2007 that later became independent as the East Bay German International School. In 2020, the San Francisco campus relocated to Eureka Valley (Castro) and serves Preschool–Grade 8, with Grade 9 planned for 2027/28.

Community
GISSV serves a diverse international community across two Bay Area campuses: Mountain View and San Francisco. Saturday School in Mountain View offers German language learning for children and adults. German culture is celebrated through events such as German Day in Golden Gate Park and National German-American Day. The San Francisco campus hosts international engagement, including visits by figures such as Ambassador Christina Beinhoff, and the campus faculty are described as experienced, licensed, international.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
San Francisco Campus is part of the German International School of Silicon Valley, a Preschool–Grade 12 dual-language school with two Bay Area locations. The campus serves students from Preschool through Grade 8 in a bilingual German-English program. The San Francisco campus is in the Castro (Eureka Valley) and is within walking distance of Mission Dolores Park, Corona Heights Park and Kite Hill, with nearby Eureka Valley Recreation Center and Rikki Streicher Field offering open space and sports fields. The site emphasizes project-based learning in a spacious setting and benefits from small class sizes and a strong student-to-teacher ratio. German International Abitur is available through GISSV, connecting SF campus to the broader Abitur pathway.

Sports Facilities
The San Francisco Campus is within walking distance of Mission Dolores Park, Corona Heights Park and Kite Hill and is adjacent to Eureka Valley Recreation Center and Rikki Streicher Field, which features sports fields and open space. The campus's after-school program includes activities in soccer, tennis, basketball and other sports as part of the enrichment options. Afternoon activities extend to a range of athletic programs offered in collaboration with on-campus and external providers. Regular outdoor activities and sports are integrated into the afternoon program.

Academic Facilities
The San Francisco Campus offers a bilingual German-English curriculum as part of the GISSV program. Class sizes are small with a strong student-to-teacher ratio and access to comprehensive science and technology resources. The curriculum includes 21st‑century schooling and digitality efforts. The German International Abitur is a recognized pathway for students at GISSV, and the campus is part of the two-campus Bay Area system with shared educational philosophy.

Extra Curricular Facilities
An Afternoon Club provides time for homework completion under supervision, followed by free play and a snack. Afternoon activities include enrichment classes in language, music, art, science, technology and sports. Registration for afternoon activities happens at the beginning of each semester and spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Examples of activities previously offered include violin, musical theater, soccer, art, piano, robotics, writers club and more.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Afternoon Program runs after the regular school day and includes language, music, art, science, technology and sports. The program uses a hands-on, project-based approach and differentiates learning to foster critical thinking and social-emotional growth. It provides homework support and time for creative activities and peer interactions. A Job Shadowing Fair gives upper-grade students the opportunity to learn from real-world experiences and explore different career paths.

Arts & Creative
Afternoon Program features language, music and art among its activities. Dancing Together Across Campuses brings middle school students together for music and dancing. German culture events such as German Day and German Unity Day celebrate German arts and culture in the Bay Area.

Cultural & Language
Dual Immersion Program (German and English) is offered at GISSV San Francisco. DaZ (German as a Second Language) and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs provide language support for students with little or no prior knowledge of German or English. The multilingual curriculum includes German and English from first grade and a third foreign language (Spanish) starting in grade 6. GISSV welcomes families from all cultural and language backgrounds.

Social & Hobbies
Afternoon Program includes time to play, be creative and socialize, with homework help and healthy snacks. Wandertag (learning beyond the classroom) offers field trips and outdoor learning opportunities. Dances and cultural events, such as the World Cup-themed Middle School Dance, connect students across campuses.

Community & Service
German Day and German Unity Day celebrate German culture and the Bay Area community. GISSV maintains a strong sense of community through small class sizes and events that involve students, teachers and parents. Wandertag and local excursions connect students with the broader Bay Area. The Job Shadowing Fair provides learning from real-world experiences and career exploration.

Leadership & Professional
Job Shadowing Fair provides learning from real-world experiences and helps students explore different career paths. Afternoon Program develops collaboration, communication and problem-solving through activities in language, music, art, science, technology and sports. GISSV San Francisco operates under a leadership team that guides the campus. Dual-language learning and multilingual curriculum support global citizenship and future leadership.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The San Francisco Campus is located near Mission Dolores Park, Corona Heights Park and Kite Hill, offering opportunities to explore and play in nature. Afternoon Program provides time to play, be creative, socialize and enjoy healthy snacks. Outdoor spaces and field trips support physical activity and outdoor learning. Wandertag and other excursions connect students with the local Bay Area environment.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages of instruction are German and English. Spanish and French are offered as additional world languages. German and English begin in first grade; Spanish begins in Grade 6.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches in German and English. It offers a bilingual/dual-immersion program from Preschool through Grade 12.

Immersion Programs
Dual Immersion Program (German and English) for Preschool and Kindergarten. Dual Language Program (German and English) for Elementary and Middle School. A third foreign language (Spanish) begins in Grade 6.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
Official German School Abroad; accredited by CAIS; two campuses share the same German curriculum and bilingual program.
Admissions

Admissions
This page provides admissions information for both the San Francisco and Mountain View campuses. Preschool & Kindergarten: 1) Submit online inquiry. 2) Attend a tour, Open House, or Open Classrooms (Step 1 and Step 2 are prerequisites for enrollment). 3) Submit the application with the $75 application fee. 4) Submit the Parent Interview Form and the Student Evaluation/Recommendation from the previous preschool or daycare (if applicable). 5) An online parent interview may be required by the Division Head. 6) A decision is communicated to parents by the end of February. 7) A spot is awarded; please accept and continue. 8) Sign the contract and submit annual fees. 9) Complete all health- and other required forms. Note: Preschool-aged children are not admitted to the current school year after February to ensure a smooth transition. Grades 1–12: 1) Submit online inquiry. 2) Attend a tour, Open House or Open Classrooms (Step 1 and Step 2 are prerequisites for enrollment). 3) Submit the application together with the $75 fee. 4) Submit the last two report cards or the final report card when issued by the current school. 5) If needed, conduct a German Language Assessment for non-native German speakers starting in Grade 2; Schedule and conduct a Parent/Student Interview with the Division Head. 6) Decision is communicated to parents by the end of February (or later if enrolling during the school year). 7) A spot will be awarded by email; please accept and continue. 8) Sign the contract and pay annual fees. 9) Complete health- and other required forms. Enrollment terms: the enrollment period runs December and January for the upcoming school year, and enrollment is possible throughout the school year based on availability. Sibling priority: siblings of existing students and children of staff have priority when spots are awarded, with the process to be completed by January 31; starting February 1, new families become eligible for open spots. Documents needed: enrollment agreement, application form, society membership form, copy of child's passport or birth certificate, vaccination record, copies of the last two report cards, health exam/report as applicable, physician's report (for preschool/kindergarten), parent's report (preschool/kindergarten), and Parent's Rights/Personal Rights forms as applicable. This guidance applies to both Bay Area locations.

Scholarships
Need-Based Scholarships: Families can apply for financial aid for students in grades K–12. GISSV uses professional third-party specialists to assess household income/assets and each family's ability to pay. The school makes every effort to meet demonstrated need, but funds are not guaranteed to cover all requests. Applications should be completed by prescribed deadlines; new students must submit a school application before financial aid is considered. Qualifying families are not eligible for other rebates or discounts that the school offers, and students must remain enrolled for the entire school year to remain eligible. How to apply: use the Clarity platform to begin the financial aid application, provide required income verification (including IRS verification for US taxpayers when applicable), and upload supporting documents by the stated deadlines. The next financial aid application period is for the 2026–2027 school year, with award decisions communicated by April 30, 2026.
School Events
The school has not added events
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