Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus vs German International School of Silicon Valley - Mountain View Campus

	E Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley - Elementary School Campus San Francisco, United States	G German International School of Silicon Valley - Mountain View Campus San Francisco, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $38,150 - 43,200	Fees / year $15,500 - 42,225
Age range	Age range 2 - 11 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, French Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 519
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English	Instruction language German, English
Opened	Opened 1977	Opened 1999
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Two Berkeley campuses: Elementary School Campus at 1009 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 and Middle School Campus at 901 Grayson Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. The school serves preschool through 8th grade. Both campuses are located in Berkeley, California.	Location GISSV has two campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area: Mountain View and San Francisco. The Mountain View Campus is at 310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043. The San Francisco Campus is at 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA 94114.
Stages	Stages Preschool & Kindergarten; Lower School; Middle School. An Accelerated French Program (AFP) offers late-entry points in Lower School (G1 and G2) and in Middle School (G6).	Stages Mountain View: Preschool–12; San Francisco: Preschool–8.
School type	School type Private bilingual day school	School type Independent, nonprofit preschool–12 school with two campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 60 nationalities represented in the school community.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Lower School offers French as a Foreign Language (French as a Second Language) for students who need it; bilingual teachers support each student linguistically and academically.	Additional learning support Inclusion Specialists work with students who benefit from extra support due to learning differences or physical challenges; they collaborate with teachers to adapt curriculum and provide small-group or individualized instruction. Counselors focus on social-emotional learning and overall well-being.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation American International Section (Section Internationale Américaine) integrated into EB's primary program.	Country affiliation Germany; dual-language education based on the German curriculum of Thuringia; accredited by the German Government (ZfA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Preschool/Kindergarten: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Elementary (1st–5th): 8:25 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Middle (6th–8th): 8:15 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. Extended Day care runs 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	School day structure Preschool options include 7:30 am–5:00 pm (Mountain View) or 8:00 am–5:00 pm (San Francisco). For Elementary, classes start at 8:00 am and generally end at 1:50 pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Non-refundable application fee: USD 75 due when submitting the application form. Enrollment deposit / reservation fee - A non-refundable enrollment/reservation deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition is required to finalize enrollment; this deposit is due within 10 days of acceptance. The 10% deposit is applied toward the annual tuition balance. Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts for 2026–2027) - Preschool & Kindergarten (annual): USD 38,150. - Grades 1–5 (annual): USD 39,015. - Grades 6–8 (annual; includes Middle School Accelerated French Program): USD 43,200. Installment / per-payment detail (options available for the annual tuition above) - Option 1 — One payment: - One payment due in June. - Early-payment discount: USD 100 off the annual tuition (school pays the Blackbaud annual fee for this option). - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 − USD 100 = USD 38,050 (one-time June payment). - Option 2 — Two equal payments: - Two equal payments due in June and September (payer may choose the 5th or the 20th of the month). - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 2 = USD 19,075 per payment (plus the USD 50 Blackbaud fee for the plan). - Option 3 — Four equal payments: - Four equal payments due in June, July, August and September. - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example: Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 4 = USD 9,537.50 per payment (plus the USD 50 Blackbaud fee for the plan). - Option 4 — Twelve equal monthly payments: - Twelve equal monthly payments between June and May of the following year. - A 5% per annum interest charge applies to this plan (reduced to 1.50% per annum for families receiving Tuition Assistance or Bourses Scolaires). - A Blackbaud Tuition Management annual administrative fee of USD 50 applies. - Example (base monthly before interest): Preschool/K: USD 38,150 ÷ 12 ≈ USD 3,179.17 per month (the actual monthly amount will be slightly higher when the 5% annual interest is applied). Additional program and grade-specific fees - Lower School Accelerated French Program (G1–G3): additional annual program fee of USD 2,860. Required and optional fees and typical other costs - One-time enrollment fee (Preschool and Lower School only): USD 1,950 (required at enrollment). - Tuition refund insurance: 1.4% of tuition (mandatory for a family's first year at the school, optional thereafter). - Extended Day Package (optional; unlimited morning and afternoon care during school days for the year): USD 2,250. - Extended Day drop-in rate (optional): USD 14.04 per hour. - School Breaks Package (optional; day camps during Fall, Winter and Spring breaks for the school year): USD 1,250. - Hot lunch (optional; price per meal): USD 6.75 to USD 7.25 (subject to change). - Optional overnight field trips (Grades 5, 7 and 8): approximately USD 2,650. - Required overnight field trips (Grades 3, 4 and 6): ranges from USD 695 to USD 1,370. - After-school activities: costs vary by activity. - Note on uniform: no separate uniform fee is listed among the school's required or optional fees. Billing schedule and payment terms - Enrollment: accepted families must return a signed enrollment agreement and pay the 10% non-refundable deposit within 10 days of acceptance to secure the student's place. - Balance payment: after the deposit, families choose one of the four payment options described above (one, two, four, or twelve payments); specific due months are June (one-payment option) or the months listed for the multi-payment options. Two-payment plan pay dates may be either the 5th or the 20th of the designated month. The four-payment schedule runs June–September; the twelve-payment schedule runs June–May. - Administrative fees and interest: Option 1 carries no Blackbaud fee (school covers it) and a USD 100 early-payment discount; Options 2–4 incur a USD 50 Blackbaud annual fee; the 12-month plan incurs a 5% per annum interest charge (1.50% for families receiving financial aid). Boarding - Boarding fees: Not applicable. Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is a preschool through grade 8 bilingual day school and does not operate a boarding program. Refund information - The enrollment/reservation deposit (10% of annual tuition) is non-refundable. - Tuition refund insurance is offered (1.4% of tuition) and is mandatory for families in their first year at the school; this insurance is the mechanism the school lists for managing tuition refunds. Fee payment options and accepted payment method - The school's tuition and fee payment system is Blackbaud Tuition Management. Blackbaud Tuition Management accepts credit card payments; administrative fees for using Blackbaud vary depending on the payment plan selected.	Fee details Application fee - New student application fee (per child): USD 75. One-time and annual school-wide fees - Enrollment fee (annual, per child): USD 825. - Society membership fee (annual, per family account): USD 150. - Facilities fee (annual, per family account): USD 1,250. Rebates and sibling discounts - Loyalty rebate: USD 700 per child after five years of consecutive enrollment; USD 1,200 per child after seven years of consecutive enrollment. - Sibling rebate: 10% off the lower of two tuitions; 20% off the lowest of three (or more) tuitions. Annual tuition — Mountain View campus (2026/27 school year) - Preschool & Kindergarten - Preschool (Ages 2–3) 5‑day AM: USD 26,000. - Preschool (Ages 3–4.11) 5‑day AM: USD 26,900. - Preschool (Ages 3–4.11) 5‑day Full‑Day: USD 35,250. - Kindergarten 5‑day AM (Ages 5–6): USD 26,900. - Kindergarten 5‑day Full‑Day (Ages 5–6): USD 35,250. - Grades 1–12 (Morning Program, 8:00 am–1:50 pm) - Grades 1–4 (annual): USD 27,700. - Grades 5–8 (annual): USD 32,200. - Grades 9–12 (annual): USD 35,750. - Afternoon Program (5 days/week; 2:00–5:00 pm) - Grades 1–4 (annual): USD 6,600. - Grades 5–8 (annual): USD 6,100. Annual tuition — San Francisco campus (2026/27 school year) - Preschool & Kindergarten - Preschool 5‑day AM (Ages 3–4.11): USD 30,550. - Preschool 5‑day Full‑Day (Ages 3–4.11): USD 40,000. - Kindergarten 5‑day AM (Ages 5–6): USD 30,550. - Kindergarten 5‑day Full‑Day (Ages 5–6): USD 40,000. - Grades 1–8 (Morning Program, 8:00 am–1:50 pm) - Grades 1–4 (annual): USD 31,850. - Grades 5–8 (annual): USD 35,300. - Grade 9 (added 2026/27): USD 35,750 (2026/27). - Afternoon Program (5 days/week; 2:00–5:00 pm) - Grades 1–8 (annual): USD 9,200. Per‑term figures (calculation note) - The published tuition rates on the school pages are stated as annual amounts for each program and grade band. The school notes that annual tuition may be prorated for students who start mid‑year; several annual fees are explicitly non‑prorated. The per‑term amounts below are an arithmetic division of the listed annual tuition by three (3) to provide an illustrative per‑term figure for database display where a per‑term field is required. This per‑term breakdown is an arithmetic inference (annual ÷ 3) and is shown only to provide consistent per‑term entries; the school publishes tuition as annual amounts. - Example per‑term (Mountain View, Grades 1–4): Annual USD 27,700 → Per term (illustrative) USD 9,233.33 (27,700 ÷ 3). - Example per‑term (San Francisco, Grades 1–4): Annual USD 31,850 → Per term (illustrative) USD 10,616.67 (31,850 ÷ 3). Billing schedule and payment terms - The school lists the enrollment, society membership and facilities fees as annual charges (fees will not be prorated). Annual tuition is published by program and grade; the school states that annual tuition might be prorated for mid‑year starts. - Visiting students pay a daily fee and must present payment in full by the first day of the visit; guest (non‑U.S. resident) students must pay tuition in full at enrollment (tuition will be prorated for guest students but annual fees may not be). - The school's bylaws note that membership (required for attendance) may be terminated for non‑payment after a written reminder if fees remain unpaid for 30 days following that reminder. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. GISSV operates two day campuses (Mountain View and San Francisco) and does not list boarding or residential options. Other costs and typical additional charges - Afternoon/extended‑care program fees (annual rates listed above) apply if enrolled in those programs. - Parents should expect additional, separate costs for items such as spiritwear/uniforms (Spiritwear store), library and school supplies, field trips, exam fees, and optional extracurricular activities. A school Spiritwear/online store and a Library & School Supplies section are part of the school's published program resources. These items are generally billed or purchased separately from tuition. Refund information - For summer programs, the school publishes a specific refund schedule (examples: full refund within a short cancellation window after registration; staged refunds with decreasing percentages the closer to camp start date), and summer refunds are processed within business days as noted in the camp policy. Summer camp refund rules and schedules are explicit for camp registration. - For visiting/guest student arrangements, visiting students pay per day and that payment is applied to tuition if they enroll full time; guest students must pay in full at enrollment (the site indicates tuition for guest students will be prorated). - Annual enrollment, society membership and facilities fees are presented as non‑prorated annual charges; the school's published material indicates these annual fees will not be prorated. Fee payment options - The school uses an online parent/administration portal for account access and online payments. The school's giving/payments information confirms acceptance of credit card and eCheck (ACH) payments through its secure online payment system; the school also supports payments submitted through the school's parent portals. Historic payment instructions reference the school's online payment portal for one‑time fee payments. Notes on timing and display for a database - The listed tuition numbers are the school's published annual rates for the 2026/27 school year for each campus and program. The school states some fees will not be prorated while annual tuition may be prorated for delayed starts; guest students and visiting students have distinct payment requirements. Use the annual figures as the authoritative amounts and the per‑term figures above only as an arithmetic, illustrative division (annual ÷ 3) if a per‑term field is required by your database.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Mid-morning snack includes fruits, vegetables, or French baguette. Lunch is eaten together in the classroom, after which students may read inside or play outside.	Food options Lunch service is provided for GISSV Saturday School Summer Camp by My Green Lunch, five days a week. The program offers multiple hot and cold entrees daily, with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options; meals are prepaid online.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Trustees.	Governance and ownership GISSV is an independent nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Directors. The Head of School and a representative of the German Consulate General in San Francisco attend Board meetings as non-voting members. GISSV is accredited by the Conference of German Cultural Ministers, the German Foreign Office and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers a bilingual English-French curriculum from Preschool through 8th grade, with language development at the core of instruction in both languages. A co-teaching model supports students at their language and academic levels, with French as a Second Language support and learning specialists, and Etude after-school homework help. In Lower School, the balance of instruction shifts from French immersion to bilingual: Grades 1–2 are 80–20, Grade 3 65–35, and Grades 4–5 50–50. Vers le Pacifique begins in Preschool and Kindergarten and continues through Grade 2; Grades 3–5 focus on conflict resolution and identity. Middle School maintains bilingual and biliterate instruction across language arts, science, history, and math, with students choosing a third language (Spanish or Mandarin) and continuing content in both languages. The science program aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and the French program; math blends Singapore Math and Eureka Math in a bilingual setting, and field trips, arts, and service learning are integrated.	Curriculum details GISSV provides preschool-12 dual-language education in German and English at two Bay Area campuses. All programs are bilingual and based on the Thuringian curriculum with English and California standards integrated. A multilingual curriculum begins in preschool and adds language courses in grade 6 (French in Mountain View; Spanish in Mountain View and San Francisco). The upper grades follow the German education structure and prepare for Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma. Graduates earn two diplomas—the German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma—enabling admission to universities in the United States, Germany and other European countries. Student-teacher ratios average under 20:1 at school and about 10:1 in preschool; the school is accredited by the German government and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Average class size is 17 students. The school maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio.	Student teacher ratio Student-teacher ratios average under 20:1 at school and about 10:1 in preschool.
Exam results	Exam results High School placement: 95% of students applying to private high schools get their top choice.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates earn two diplomas—the German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma—enabling admission to universities in the United States, Germany and other European countries.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Accelerated French Programs are available at Lower School and Middle School for motivated, high-achieving students, providing small class sizes and advanced bilingual learning.	Gifted and talented Differentiated learning opportunities with individualized learning plans support entering students; small class sizes facilitate personalized attention.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning EB fosters social and emotional learning by inviting students, families, and staff to bring their whole selves to school and by celebrating the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the community. The school is a place of warmth, joy, kindness, and belonging that welcomes all people. It nurtures curiosity, compassion, courage, and an enduring sense of community in its students. The EB environment emphasizes inclusion and equity, with ongoing efforts to provide equitable opportunities for every member of the school community. The school aims to create a supportive culture where students feel respected and empowered to engage with others across differences.	Social & emotional learning At GISSV, every student is supported to succeed—academically, socially, and emotionally. The Student Support Team provides tailored assistance from preschool through secondary school to help students with diverse learning needs thrive in the classroom and feel fully included in the school community. Inclusion Specialists work with students who benefit from extra support due to learning differences or physical challenges. They collaborate with teachers to adapt curriculum, provide small-group or individualized instruction, and help create inclusive classroom environments. Counselors focus on social-emotional learning and overall well-being, supporting students with coping strategies, SEL programs, and guidance for navigating challenges, helping every child feel confident and connected.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Inclusion Specialists work with students who benefit from extra support due to learning differences or physical challenges. They collaborate with teachers to adapt curriculum, provide small-group or individualized instruction, and help create inclusive classroom environments. Our Student Support Team provides tailored assistance from preschool through secondary school to ensure learners with diverse needs thrive in the classroom and feel fully included. Our approach emphasizes that every student is valued and supported to reach their full potential.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late entry points at G1, G2 and G6 for students with no prior French exposure. AFP offers students the opportunity to acquire fluent proficiency in a second language and to be well positioned for high school placement after 8th grade.	English as an additional language For children who enter our program with little or no knowledge of German or English, we offer strong language learning support in both DaZ (German as a 2nd language) and ESL (English as a 2nd language).
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Counselors focus on social-emotional learning and overall well-being. They support students with coping strategies, SEL programs, and guidance for navigating challenges, helping every child feel confident and connected.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Two Berkeley campuses make up Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley: the Lower School Campus at 1009 Heinz Ave and the Middle School Campus at 901 Grayson Street. The school teaches in English and French as part of its bilingual immersion program. The Lower School Campus features a bilingual library with hundreds of books, a maker space and art room, a music room, an educational vegetable garden, a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten, and an expansive outdoor learning environment with a water creek and amphitheater. The Middle School Campus features a bilingual library, a science and art lab, a basketball court, an educational vegetable garden, an outdoor student lounge, and an outdoor stage with sound and lights. The South-West Berkeley neighborhood surrounds the campuses, offering local eateries, gyms, and spaces used for athletic practice nearby.	Facilities overview GISSV operates two campuses in Mountain View and San Francisco. All programs are bilingual and based on the German curriculum of Thuringia. The preschool–12 program emphasizes small class sizes and a strong student-to-teacher ratio, with project-based and differentiated learning. The curriculum includes science and technology resources to support learning.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The Middle School Campus has a basketball court, and the Lower School Campus has a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten. At the Lower School, after-school sports opportunities are integrated into classes that include activities such as dance, martial arts, or yoga. In the Middle School, students can participate in co-ed fall flag football, winter basketball, and spring volleyball as part of the East Bay Independent Athletic League, where EB bilingual teams have accumulated numerous championships. The Jaguars have earned 70 league championship titles since 1992.	Sports facilities Sports are part of school life at GISSV. The program emphasizes physical development and includes physical skills. A volleyball team is depicted among student activities. The school values sports alongside music, culture and arts.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Lower School features include a bilingual library with hundreds of books, magazines, and pedagogical resources, a maker space and art room, a music room, an educational vegetable garden, a gymnastic space for preschool and kindergarten, and an expansive outdoor learning environment with a water creek and amphitheater. Middle School features include a bilingual library, a science and art lab, a basketball court, an educational vegetable garden, an outdoor student lounge, and an outdoor stage with sound & lights. These facilities support the school's integrated bilingual curriculum across both campus levels.	Academic facilities The curriculum provides rich project-based and differentiated learning experiences. The program supports social-emotional competency, critical thinking, artistic expression and physical skills. It offers science and technology resources to support learning. Small class sizes and a high student-to-teacher ratio are reported. All programs are bilingual and based on the German curriculum of Thuringia.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Enrichment & Aftercare offers clubs and after-school enrichment classes for preschool through middle school, including sports, science, visual arts, music, cooking, and language classes, with some activities conducted in French. The Extended Day program provides before- and after-school care with flexible options and schedules. Étude (French for Study Hall) is offered to Elementary students three days a week for quiet homework time with teacher support. Camps include Le Camp d'Été, a summer camp for Preschool to rising Grade 6, plus Fall/Winter/Spring Camps with themed activities and field trips. School Foodies hot lunch service is available on both campuses.	Extra curricular facilities GISSV offers experiences beyond the classroom, including events and after-school programs. The school fosters a strong sense of community with activities that involve students, teachers and parents. The two Bay Area campuses connect students to local environments through field experiences. Eco-School and other school-life programs are part of the extracurricular offerings.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History EB was founded by pioneering parents to provide bilingual education in the East Bay. It opened in fall 1977 with six teachers, 50 students, and 10 nationalities. The original Heinz & Ninth building became EB's campus when the school opened in 1977. The Middle School opened in 1988 and moved to 901 Grayson Street in 1991. Today EB serves more than 400 students from Toute Petite Section (2.5 years old) through grade 8, with more than 60 nationalities represented; alumni have lived and worked in 55 countries.	History The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) was founded in 1999 by six German and American families who desired a German and California accredited curriculum. The Mountain View campus welcomed its first 34 students in February 2000. In 2003, the school officially changed its name to German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV). A San Francisco campus opened in 2011 in the Presidio and moved to Castro in August 2020. The Berkeley/East Bay campus opened in 2007 and later relocated to Emeryville in 2017, where it now operates as East Bay German International School, an independent school.
Community	Community EB's community is at the heart of the school experience; all parents are warmly invited to join in as active members of this diverse, fun, and inclusive group. World Celebrations showcases the many diverse cultures represented at EB and celebrates them through food, dance, and music. Welcome Day invites all parents and students to meet teachers and classmates; Halloween Parade, La Boum, Family & Friends Day, Move-a-thon, Spring Soirée & Fundraiser, La Place du Marché, and EB First Friday & Third Thursday Coffees are among the events that foster community.	Community GISSV has a vibrant international school community thanks to small class sizes and a cohesive preschool–12 structure, with enriching events that involve all students, teachers and parents. The school operates across two campuses in Mountain View and San Francisco with bilingual German-English programming. The Parent Association coordinates volunteering, fundraising and signature events such as the Holiday Market in Mountain View and the Laternenfest in San Francisco.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association La Boum is hosted by the Parents' Association as a fall gathering for parents and caregivers. The Association coordinates Family & Friends Day, Move-a-thon, Spring Soirée & Fundraiser, La Place du Marché, and First Friday / Third Thursday coffees to connect families with the school community. To volunteer, contact the Parents' Association at askpa@eb.org or sign up on the Parent Portal. For general involvement questions, contact Anaïs Wilson at awilson@eb.org.	Parent teacher association Each GISSV campus has a Parent Association that works closely with the school administration and the Board of Directors. The PA includes representatives from each school division who meet with division heads to discuss issues. The PA coordinates parent committees and volunteers, and supports fundraising and signature events such as the annual Holiday Market in Mountain View or the Laternenfest in San Francisco. PA priorities include improving communication, fostering community, working with teachers, assisting with resolving issues, fundraising, encouraging volunteerism, and promoting GISSV. The PA uses the My GISSV portal for communication, including a PA newsletter and meeting minutes. Mountain View Campus contact: office@gissv.org; San Francisco Campus contact: sf-office@gissv.org.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school is a preschool-8th grade bilingual immersion program with instruction in French and English. In Preschool & Kindergarten, Maternelle is project-centered and play-based, with French immersion about 80% of the day; five hours of English per week support language development as teachers from French and English collaborate. In elementary school, language development shifts from French immersion toward bilingual instruction, with grade-by-grade balances such as 1st–2nd at 80–20 (French–English) and 4th–5th at 50–50, fostering oral language, reading, and writing in both languages. The Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late-entry points at Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 6 for students with no prior French exposure to develop fluency and support High School placement after 8th grade.	Academic & intellectual 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.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The visual arts, music, and theater are core components of the elementary curriculum; arts are integrated into classroom instruction in Grade 1, with specialists for music starting in Grade 2 and visual arts in Grade 3. Students explore art as a means of self-expression and connect artistic learning to other subjects within the school's STEAM focus.	Arts & creative 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.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school offers a Section Internationale Américaine, a bilateral-bicultural program that integrates language and culture from partner countries, with primary-level International Sections in the U.S. since September 2020. The program supports bilingual and bicultural learning for students from elementary through higher levels and includes partnerships with local cultural institutions (e.g., Theater de Berkeley) and connections to French and international educational networks to facilitate exchanges and intercultural projects.	Cultural & language 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.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies In elementary and beyond, after-school enrichment includes activities such as yoga and soccer, and the Etude program provides group homework support after school led by bilingual teachers. The school encourages experiential learning through field trips and collaborative projects that extend classroom learning into real-world contexts.	Social & hobbies 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.
Community & service	Community & service Experiential trips and service learning are integral to citizenship education. Formal community service begins in fourth grade, with opportunities to engage in activities that connect students to the wider community and cultivate social responsibility.	Community & service 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.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional 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.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is emphasized as essential, with dedicated P.E. instruction from Grade 2 onward and a range of sports and movement activities, including dance. The school also runs after-school athletic and enrichment options and implements a Restorative Justice framework for social-emotional learning, including Vers le Pacifique, a bilingual SEL program that begins in Preschool and continues through Grade 2.	Lifestyle & wellbeing 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.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision French and English are the languages of instruction. English Language Arts follows California Common Core Standards, while the French curriculum aligns with the official French Ministry of Education framework in AFP and related tracks. A third language (Spanish or Mandarin) is introduced in Middle School AFP. By the second year, AFP students can be prepared to take the DELF A1 exam, demonstrating French proficiency.	Language provision German and English are the languages of instruction; the curriculum is based on the German state of Thuringia, and the Abitur program is offered.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school is a preschool-8th grade bilingual immersion school where students learn in French and English. Students speak, write, and think in two languages every day. Accelerated French Program (AFP) provides late entry points at G1, G2, and G6 for students with no prior French exposure to join the bilingual immersion track.	Bilingual teaching Preschool–12 dual language education in German and English across two Bay Area locations.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Lower School AFP provides a two-year bridge for Grade 1 and Grade 2 students with no prior French exposure; instruction is 85% in French and 15% in English, with two classrooms (bilingual and AFP) and a dedicated AFP teacher. Entry points are Grade 1 (CP) and Grade 2 (CE1), and students join the full immersion program by Grade 3 or Grade 4. In the second year, many AFP students are prepared to take the DELF A1 exam. Middle School AFP offers 40% daily instruction in French and 60% in English, with six accelerated French classes per week, and may integrate into the bilingual immersion program; the school is affiliated with AEFE and MLF, connecting students to a global network.	Immersion programs Dual-language learning with immersion in German and English across all grade levels.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 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.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships 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]
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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