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German International School New York

United States, New York

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees $28,450
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1980
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, German, Latin, Spanish
Strengths STEM, Outdoor Education, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

German International School New York (GISNY) is a private, independent, non-profit bilingual international day school located on a 20-acre campus in White Plains, New York, serving students ages 3 to 18. Affiliated with Germany, GISNY offers a dual-curriculum approach that combines German and American programs in an immersive, academically rigorous setting. The school emphasizes a nature-based program, with outdoor classrooms for early childhood and a spiral curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12. Languages are integral to learning, with a strong bilingual program beginning in Pre-K and additional language offerings. STEM is embedded at all grade levels, and graduates pursue the German International Abitur alongside a U.S. High School Diploma. The campus features a vibrant library with more than 13,000 items, a state-of-the-art Science Wing with labs and a MakerSpace, arts and music spaces, an auditorium, and extensive athletics facilities. Enrollment exceeds 420 students from over 20 nationalities. A welcoming community.

50 Partridge Rd, White Plains, NY 10605, United States

The Essentials

German International School New York has instruction in German, English.

Location
Located at 50 Partridge Road, White Plains, NY 10605. GISNY sits on a 20-acre campus in White Plains, Westchester County, with a nature-based learning environment.

Stages
Pre-K through Grade 12, with Lower School (grades 1-4), Middle School (grades 5-9), and Upper School (grades 10-12). Pre-K and Kindergarten are included.

Type
private, independent, non-profit bilingual international day school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Diverse international student body.

Additional learning support
A variety of language-support classes to assist with language challenges.

Country affiliation
Germany

School day structure
School day begins at 8:30 am. First dismissal at 2:05 pm; second dismissal at 3:45 pm. After-school program runs from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Bus service
GISNY does not provide bus transportation. Westchester residents may use district bus transportation; Manhattan families may use Cheese Bus routes; private arrangements may be made for other areas.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school provides daily lunch options through Flik Independent School Dining. Lunch is available to all students in grades 1–12 with a salad and sandwich bar in the cafeteria; Pre-K and Kindergarten meals are served in classrooms, family-style. Snacks are available for grades 5–12, and allergies are communicated to the chef.

Governance and Ownership
GISNY is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit education corporation in New York, governed by a Board of Trustees. Members of the GISNY Corporation—parents or guardians—meet annually to ratify Board actions and elect five Trustees for a three-year term; the Board consists of fifteen elected members.
Fees

Annual tuition at German International School New York ranges from USD 28,450 for 2026/27.

Application & Acceptance Fees

- One-time non-refundable application fee: USD 350.
- One-time non-refundable acceptance fee (due upon acceptance): USD 1,000.

Tuition — Yearly & Per-Term Detail (academic year 2025–2026)

- Annual tuition (Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12): USD 28,450 per year. Tuition includes the cost of lunch, books, and all courses.

Payment plans and amounts (two options):
- Full payment (single payment): USD 27,450 if payment is received by May 15, 2025 (early‑payer discount of USD 1,000); otherwise USD 28,450.
- Semi‑annual payment plan:
- Early‑payer semi‑annual (to receive the USD 1,000 discount): first installment USD 14,225 due May 15, 2025; second installment USD 13,225 due August 15, 2025 (total USD 27,450).
- Standard semi‑annual (no early‑payer discount): USD 14,225 due May 15, 2025 and USD 14,225 due August 15, 2025 (total USD 28,450).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- All enrollment or re‑enrollment agreements and tuition payments are processed through the Blackbaud Tuition Management parent portal.
- Early‑payment deadline for discounts and the full/first installment due dates: May 15 (see plan details above). Second installment due date for semi‑annual schedules: August 15.
- Late fee: 1.5% per month on past‑due balances (equivalent to an annual rate of 18%) applied after August 15, 2025. The school reserves the right to restrict participation in activities and to withhold grades/transcripts if tuition or fees remain past due.
- The enrollment contract is for the full academic year (September through June) and contains no deductions for absence, withdrawal, or dismissal. Signatures and required non‑refundable enrollment/re‑enrollment fees must be received by the stated contract deadlines.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. GISNY operates as a private day school; there is no boarding program and therefore no boarding fees.

Other costs and additional fees

- Annual membership dues to the German International School New York Corporation: USD 60 per person; invoiced separately.
- After‑school / extracurricular charges (examples):
- GISNY AGs (school‑run clubs) for Grades 1–6: USD 300 per AG per semester.
- AfterCare (Pre‑K & Kindergarten) — fees per semester per session/day: e.g., USD 400 per session per day per semester (pricing scales with number of days/sessions; examples listed per semester).
- Homework Supervision (Grades 1–6) — per semester: USD 300 (one day), USD 600 (two days), USD 900 (three days), USD 1,200 (four days).
- External AGs and Extended Day Care: fees vary depending on the provider and class selected.
- Transportation: GISNY does not provide school bus transportation; families arrange transportation (district services, private bus companies, or commercial services). Any transportation fees are billed separately by the transportation provider.

Refund policy

- Tuition is non‑refundable. In cases of demonstrated special hardship, the school may consider issuing a partial refund; such requests must be submitted in writing to the Business Manager for review. The enrollment contract covers the full school year with no automatic proration for absence, withdrawal, or dismissal.

Fee payment options

- All tuition payments must be remitted through Blackbaud Tuition Management (parent portal). Blackbaud Tuition Management supports multiple payment methods, including bank account (ACH) payments and credit/debit card payments (availability and any card‑processing/platform fees are subject to the tuition‑management provider's and school's payment policies). Payments are made via the Blackbaud tuition portal for invoicing and schedule management.

Notes on contracts and obligations

- Enrollment or re‑enrollment requires execution of the electronic contract and payment of required non‑refundable fees by stated deadlines. Parents or legal guardians are jointly and severally responsible for payment obligations under the contract. The school may take collection actions and recover associated costs if payments are not made when due.
Academics

German International School New York teaches Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Immersive, academically challenging curricula and nature-based programming. Spiral Curriculum from Pre-K through grade 12. Languages are integral to learning, with a strong bilingual program starting in Pre-K and additional language offerings. STEM is emphasized at all grade levels. The Dual Diploma leads to a High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, preparing graduates for higher education worldwide.

Higher Education Progression
GISNY graduates earn both a High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, preparing graduates to attend colleges and universities worldwide.

Gifted and Talented
Digitale Drehtuer is an enrichment program for advanced learners offered for grades 5–11; selected students participate in live courses and self-paced modules to explore topics beyond the regular curriculum.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
SEL is integrated into GISNY's program. The school collaborates with the Morningside Center in New York to implement weekly class circles to build social and emotional skills and classroom community. Class circles address topics such as friendship, stress, standing up against discrimination, cliques, social media, bullying, gender identity, and academic success. The school emphasizes a strong sense of community and provides ongoing faculty development to support SEL.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Resource specialists provide a comprehensive range of services: support for students with individualized learning plans; guidance and advice to teachers and families; professional development on topics such as classroom management and supporting neurodivergent learners; implementation of accommodations in classroom and assessments; and collaboration with local entities, including the White Plains school district, to coordinate additional services.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Language is integral to learning at GISNY. From Pre-K to Grade 12, GISNY uses bilingual learning with German and English as foundations and offers a third language (French or Spanish) later. The Pre-K to Kindergarten use a one-teacher–one-language approach; Grades 1–4 emphasize German proficiency with extensive English lessons; Grades 5 and up include more bilingual classes in subjects such as Biology, Geography, Music, and Art, with American History taught in English; In Grades 10–12, many subjects are taught in English; The Abitur is bilingual in Music, Art, Biology, and Economics; English instruction offers Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels with extra help for language learners; Latin is available for select grades.

Mental Wellbeing
A School Nurse and a Mental Health Counselor support student well-being. The Nurse provides everyday health care and ensures compliance with New York State health regulations, including immunization standards. The Mental Health Counselor offers mental health support within the school.

Safeguarding
GISNY operates a Safe Space Concept (Schutzraumkonzept) as part of safeguarding, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives include safeguarding-related resources and practices.
Parent Experience

History
German International School New York opened its doors in 1980 as the first German school serving New York City and the surrounding area. In 1978, German expatriates led by Siegfried A. Kessler founded the German Forum to establish a German school in the New York area; in 1986 the German Forum and the Deutscher Auslandsschulverein New York formed the German School New York, the corporation that governs the school. The school welcomed its first 64 students on September 8, 1980. The White Plains campus was acquired in 1982, followed by expansions in 1986 (lower school), 1989 (upper school, library, offices), 2000 (gym and running track), 2010 (solar panels), 2018 (cafeteria, classrooms, library), and 2022 (science labs and MakerSpace). Milestones include the first Abitur graduation in 1989, NYSAIS accreditation in 1990, curriculum realignment to 12 years in 1994, and Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule accreditation in 2009; bilingual pre-kindergarten was introduced in 2014; transition to the German International Abitur curriculum in 2017. In 2014 the school became GISNY to reflect its international outlook. The Campus of the Future development began in 2017, with a 2018 extension and a 2022 Science Wing opening. Heads of School have included Dr. Karl Eckmann (1980–1985), Jürgen Hildebrand (1985–1988), Johannes Kettlack (1988–1994), Wolfgang Ditscheid (1994–2002), Udo Bochinger (2002–2008), Wolfgang Dietrich (2008–2013), Ulrich Weghoff (2013–2018), Lars Hierath (2018–2024), and Volker Ovelgönne (2024–present). Enrollment now exceeds 420 students with about 60 faculty from more than 20 nationalities.

Community
GISNY is a supportive community for your entire family. When your child enrolls, your family becomes part of a welcoming community that gathers for breakfasts, art fairs, flea markets, sports days, field trips, class parties, career days, holiday celebrations, and more. The community is vibrant, engaged, and diverse, sustained by a strong tradition of family and alumni involvement. Families come from over 20 countries and cultures and speak more than 18 native languages at home. Get involved by volunteering, joining the Board of Trustees, becoming a Parents' Association representative, or helping organize events such as Winterfest and other gatherings.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents' Association drives many social and cultural events, including the Talent Show, Winterfest, Flea Markets, and class parties; two Class Representatives per classroom serve on the PA and connect with faculty and the Board. The PA partners with school stakeholders to address community issues and participates in Board and faculty meetings, with annual leadership elections. If you want to contribute, email elternbeirat@gisny.org. The Parent Community page also notes a Newcomers' Club for new families and a Swiss Parents' Association for Swiss families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus spans a 20-acre site in White Plains with wide-open green spaces. Outdoor Classrooms and the Nature-Based Early Childhood Program allow the youngest students to spend most of their day outdoors. The library is vibrant and expansive, with over 13,000 items, and there is a state-of-the-art Science Wing with labs and a MakerSpace. Arts and Music Classrooms, an auditorium for performances, an Energy Garden, and a dedicated playground support learning and community life. Athletics facilities include a multifunctional gym, a tartan running track, an outdoor basketball court, and a soccer field; IT resources and a student lounge with table tennis and arcade games complete the on-campus experience.

Sports Facilities
GISNY has athletics facilities on campus, including a multifunctional gym, a tartan running track, an outdoor basketball court, and a soccer field. These spaces support the school's athletics program for students across grade levels. The campus design emphasizes movement and physical activity as part of daily life. Outdoor spaces such as the Energy Garden and playground extend opportunities for active recreation beyond the gym and fields.

Academic Facilities
The Science Wing includes science labs and a MakerSpace with cutting-edge technology. The library is expansive, hosting over 13,000 items. Information Technology resources support learning with cloud tools, interactive displays, devices for younger students, and BYOD for older students. The campus integrates technology and STEM learning across grade levels.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Arts and Music Classrooms provide space for art, music, and performing arts, including music classrooms and practice rooms, plus an auditorium for exhibitions, concerts, and theater performances. The Student Lounge for upper school students offers a social space with sofas, table tennis, and arcade games. Outdoor spaces including the Energy Garden and a dedicated playground support recreation and community building. The campus provides spaces that support a variety of extracurricular activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
GISNY offers an after-school program with four pillars: STEM, Art & Creative Expression, Sports & Physical Wellness, and Business-Minded Activities. GISNY AGs include STEM clubs, and a Swiss culture strand called Schwitzerdütsch, plus general sports and fitness options such as soccer, running club, and yoga. External AGs are taught by outside professionals and Performing AGs include Marimba, Choir, Band, and Theater, with selection by teachers for the full year. GISNY hosts an annual Science Fair that highlights student research and projects.

Arts & Creative
Art & Creative Expression is a core pillar of the after-school program. Performing AGs include Marimba, Choir, Band, and Theater, offering a creative outlet and opportunities to develop teamwork and self-expression. Participation in Performing AGs requires additional commitment and is selected at the teachers' discretion; enrollment is for the full school year and Performing AGs are free of charge.

Cultural & Language
Swiss culture is offered through the Swiss AG, which covers Swiss culture and Schwitzerdütsch. Cultural Corner boards and other DEI activities promote cultural understanding and language awareness within the school community.

Social & Hobbies
Student Council empowers students through representation, with elections for grades 5–12 and two Faculty Advisors. The Council coordinates events such as school dances and movie nights. The DEI Club also runs projects focused on community service and DEI awareness.

Community & Service
DEI initiatives include Community Service Projects. The DEI Fund supports programs that champion inclusion and diversity. Buddy Days pair older and younger classes to strengthen the school community.

Leadership & Professional
Student Council provides leadership opportunities for students, with elected representatives from grades 5–12 and annual Faculty Advisors for guidance and mediation. The Council regularly shapes events and decisions within GISNY.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Athletics at GISNY fosters teamwork and lifelong fitness, bridging cultures through sport. The Middle School offers a Modified Program and the Upper School a Varsity Program with emphasis on participation, skill development, conditioning, and socio-emotional growth. Coaches include Billy Cherry, John DiBetta, Kamila Eisenberg, Nils Köhler, and Dr. Jacqlyne Thornton.
Languages

Language Provision
German is taught for four years and German History for four years; English is taught for four years, including English American History for two years; French or Spanish is offered for two to four years; the curriculum emphasizes bilingualism and alignment with both German and New York State requirements. On graduation, students earn both the German International Abitur (DIA) and the New York State High School Diploma. AP courses include English Language and Composition and German Language and Culture.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has a bilingual program in German and English with a distinctive bilingual, multicultural approach to teaching and learning.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
GISNY offers an inquiry process via the online inquiry form, an Open House, and a Personalized Meeting (in-person, virtual, or phone). After you inquire, the Admissions Team will respond with important information and upcoming events. An Open House lets families meet the Admissions Team and faculty. A Personalized Meeting can be scheduled on a day/time that works for you. GISNY graduates earn both a High School Diploma and the German International Abitur. Admissions are based on German language proficiency (Grades 1–12), academic achievement and potential. 220.

Scholarships
GISNY offers need-based financial assistance. Financial assistance applications must be submitted through Clarity by April 15 for the upcoming school year. The Financial Assistance average award size is about $17,700, equal to roughly 64% of full tuition. Financial assistance can cover up to 90% of annual tuition and is awarded at the school's discretion based on Clarity's recommendations and budget. Awards are annual and must be reapplied for each year with updated financial information. Clarity charges a $60 application fee. The Family Application Guide explains how to apply. Eligible ages are PreK through Grade 12. GISNY does not offer full scholarships or merit-based scholarships. Applying for financial assistance does not affect the admissions decision. Important dates: financial aid applications become available online mid-October and are due by April 15. Contact our Business Manager for more information. (Note: the information is provided here as a summary of the Financial Assistance page.)
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