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German International School Washington D.C.

United States, Washington DC

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees $16,430 - 31,830
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 500
Type Co-educational
Opened 1961
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Taught languages German, English, French, Spanish, Latin
Strengths STEM, Languages, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

German International School Washington D.C. is an independent bilingual school serving students aged 2 to 18 in Washington, DC. Founded in 1961, GISW provides a dual German‑American program that blends a German curriculum with English lessons to U.S. standards and lab science. Preschool serves ages 2 through 4, with morning groups and optional afternoon care. Elementary School combines German curricula with English instruction and hands‑on science, while Grades 5–12 lead to both a U.S. High School Diploma and German International Abitur, opening doors to universities worldwide. The STEM/MINT program deepens mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, and technology through problem solving and research. GISW is part of the network of German Schools Abroad (over 130 schools). A bus service spans Maryland, Virginia, DC.; SageDining operates the cafeteria with labeling; Bookstore and Health Room serve community. Kindergarten emphasizes play-based learning, time outdoors. The FastTrack language program supports learners, and NEWBEES help families settle.

8617 Chateau Dr, Potomac, MD 20854, United States

The Essentials

German International School Washington D.C. has 500 pupils, instruction in German, English.

Location
The GISW campus is at 8617 Chateau Drive, Potomac, MD 20854. The school sits in a residential area near Washington, D.C. A Shuttle Bus Service runs from the Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Dr., Potomac, MD 20854, to the GISW campus, with multiple buses facilitating morning and after-school transportation.

Stages
Preschool (ages 2–4) with morning groups and an optional Afternoon Program and Extended Care; Elementary School from entry level through 4th grade with German curricula and English lessons at U.S. standards; Grades 5 through 12 earn the German International Abitur and a U.S. High School Diploma.

Type
Independent, bilingual.

Country affiliation
Germany

Bus service
Shuttle Bus Service from Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Dr., Potomac, MD 20854 to GISW and back. Three buses shuttle in the morning; the first leaves Bolger Center at 8:40 am. After classes, the first bus departs GISW between 11:35 and 11:40 am and returns to the Bolger Center. Direct drop-off or pick-up at GISW on Saturday mornings is not allowed; a parking pass is required to park on GISW grounds; buses are the default option for students and drivers with passes.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school does not require a uniform.

Food Options
The school provides lunch through SageDining. Meals are prepared daily with allergen labeling on the online menu and in the cafeteria. Lunch must be signed up for during the admissions process and is served daily in the cafeteria for Grades 1 through 12; preschool meals are prepared daily in the cafeteria with preschoolers eating in classrooms.

Governance and Ownership
The German International School Washington D.C. is governed by the German School Society, composed largely of GISW parents. Membership is open to adults 18+ who agree with the Society's purpose and pay an annual fee. The Board of Directors consists of nine members and oversees affairs not requiring Membership decisions; the Board includes the Head of School, the Director of Administration, a representative of the German Embassy, and the Chairs of the Parents' Association and Employees' Association.
Fees

Annual tuition at German International School Washington D.C. ranges from USD 16,430 to USD 31,830 for 2026/27.

Overview (fees listed below apply to the published 2025/26 schedule)

Application & enrollment fees
- Application fee (non‑refundable): USD 150.
- New student enrollment fee (non‑refundable, per student): USD 2,500. A reduced enrollment fee of USD 1,400 applies for students moving from GISW Preschool to the School Entry Level (SEL).
- Contract deposit (non‑refundable at signing; deducted from billing statement): USD 1,000 per student.
- School Society membership fee (per family, per school year): USD 150.
- Technology fee (per student, grades 1–12, per school year): USD 200.
- Class account fee (per student, per school year): USD 150.

Tuition — annual amounts by program and year group (full‑year tuition shown; two columns reflect the published early‑contract rate and the standard rate)
- Preschool (5 days, Mon–Fri) — 2‑year‑old programs:
- Morning Program only (8:00–13:15): USD 20,223 (early/required contract date) / USD 21,223 (standard).
- Morning + Afternoon Program (8:00–14:45): USD 23,928 / USD 24,928.
- Morning + Afternoon + Extended Care (8:00–16:45): USD 29,967 / USD 30,967.
- Preschool — 3/4‑year‑old programs:
- Morning Program only (8:00–13:15): USD 16,430 / USD 17,430.
- Morning + Afternoon Program (8:00–14:45): USD 20,135 / USD 21,135.
- Morning + Afternoon + Extended Care (8:00–16:45): USD 26,174 / USD 27,174.
- School Entry Level (SEL) through Grade 12 — School day (includes afternoon program until 15:15):
- SEL: USD 24,166 / USD 25,166.
- Grades 1–6: USD 25,418 / USD 26,418.
- Grades 7–12: USD 26,293 / USD 27,293.
- SEL through Grade 9 — School day with Extended Care (15:15–16:45):
- SEL: USD 29,703 / USD 30,703.
- Grades 1–6: USD 30,955 / USD 31,955.
- Grades 7–9: USD 31,830 / USD 32,830.
- Extended Care drop‑in fee (Preschool–Grade 9), per instance: USD 50.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Accepted payment schedules: annual (single payment), semi‑annual (two equal installments — typically August and January), or monthly (ten equal installments — typically August through May) processed through a tuition management system. Installment schedules divide the published annual tuition into equal payments for the chosen schedule. Credit card payments may incur a convenience fee charged by the tuition processor in addition to tuition.
- Payment processing: tuition installments and recurring payments are handled through Blackbaud Tuition Management; families receive an enrollment email and set up their payment method (bank account or credit card). Semi‑annual withdrawals occur in August and January; monthly withdrawals are processed on the 5th or the 20th of each month (depending on family selection). Returned check, change, and late payment fees apply as published.
- Payment by check/wire is accepted; when paying by automatic deduction, bank routing/ABA and account numbers are required. If paying by credit card, a processor convenience fee will be billed separately.

Bus, cafeteria and other recurring program fees
- Bus (annual, service available mornings and afternoons at 15:20 and 16:55) — zone pricing by route:
- Zone A: USD 2,707; Zone B: USD 3,198; Zone C: USD 3,669; Zone D: USD 4,160; Zone E: USD 4,751. Single ticket (one‑way): USD 15.
- Cafeteria (annual fee for Preschool–Grade 12): USD 1,260.
- Returned check fee: USD 50. Change fee: USD 50. Second replacement bus pass fee and other minor administrative fees apply as published. Late payment fees are charged monthly until the account is current.
- Bookstore and sports uniform purchases: books, school supplies, and sports uniforms are available for purchase through the school bookstore; payments accepted in USD by major credit card, cash, or US check. Sports uniforms are required only for athletic teams where applicable.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable. GISW operates as a day school; there are no boarding fees.

Other one‑time or occasional costs
- New student enrollment fee (non‑refundable) as noted above: USD 2,500 (or USD 1,400 for Preschool→SEL transition).
- Class account fee: USD 150 per student, per school year.
- Technology fee for Grades 1–12: USD 200 per student, per school year.
- Parents' or School Society membership fee: USD 150 per family, per school year.
- Occasional program or activity fees (school trips, athletics team fees, special course fees) may apply; sports team uniforms are purchased separately through the bookstore. Returned check and administrative change fees apply as listed above.

Refund information and withdrawal terms
- Tuition and fees are non‑refundable if a student leaves the school before the end of the school year. In cases of special hardship or family relocation that requires withdrawal during the school year, the school will consider a partial refund of prepaid tuition and/or waiver of remaining installments; decisions are made according to school policy and require a written request submitted within 10 days of withdrawal. Attendance for any part of a month is billed for the full month; leaves of absence require full payment of tuition and fees for the period.

Fee payment options (methods accepted)
- Automatic bank account withdrawal (ACH) or automatic credit card charge via Blackbaud Tuition Management (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). A convenience fee applies for credit card payments and is billed separately. Families may also pay by check or wire transfer to the school; specific bank details are provided during tuition enrollment/registration for payments.

(End of fee overview.)
Academics

German International School Washington D.C. teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Preschool: Ages 2 through 4; morning groups with the option of staying for the afternoon program and for extended care. Elementary School runs from School Entry Level through 4th grade with a modern learning environment, German curricula, English lessons at U.S. standards, and lab science. Grades 5 through 12 graduate with the U.S. High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, opening doors to universities worldwide. STEM/MINT is offered to allow students to specialize in rigorous mathematics and science curricula focused on problem-solving and research.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates earn both the German International Abitur and a U.S. High School Diploma, enabling admission to universities worldwide.

Gifted and Talented
STEM/MINT Education offers specialized mathematics and science curricula focused on problem-solving and research.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Counselor Grades 1-4 provides students with opportunities to address problems and conflicts during office hours. Social learning takes place daily across the school. GREIF stands for group-oriented, respectful, empathetic, interested, and friendly. The elementary team uses GREIF tokens to reward students who demonstrate these values. Tokens can be exchanged for small gifts; in Grades 1–2, students earn a gift after 10 griffins, and in Grades 3–4 after 15 griffins. The counselor coordinates parent meetings and collaborates with the secondary school counselor to support students' social and emotional development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Language enrichment is embedded in daily life in the Preschool, with daily sessions helping children acquire German or English as a second language and learn about German and U.S. cultures. The two programs for language acquisition in early childhood, Finki, ich & wir and Hocus & Lotus, are designed to be playful and age-appropriate. The enrichment modules are integrated into daily life and can be combined in diverse ways to meet different development levels. An Overall Language Concept extends language learning from the Preschool through high school graduation.

Mental Wellbeing
The Counselor for Grades 5–12 provides individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, student observation, responsive counseling, college counseling, referrals, and parent and teacher support. The counselor coordinates programs dealing with drug awareness and assertiveness training, peer mediation, and crisis intervention. The Counseling section also offers guidance resources with crisis hotlines and community resources for mental health support. The counselor can be reached at counselor@giswashington.org.

Safeguarding
The Health Room serves preschool through twelfth grade and operates weekdays 7:45am–3:15pm. The health care team includes a Health Care Manager, an Administrative Assistant, and counselors for the Elementary School and the Upper School. Absences due to illness are reported to the Health Room via the provided email or phone contact. Before admission, health forms are submitted, and after admission families receive access to Magnus Health to store medical documents; immunization requirements are listed and updated for entry and ongoing compliance. Basic immunizations include MMR and Varicella, with additional requirements for vaccines as students progress through grades SEL–12. Magnus Health login is used to upload documents and update emergency contacts. Anti-bullying policy and safeguarding-related resources are included in counseling materials and resources.
Parent Experience

History
GISW is an independent bilingual German-American school serving the Washington, D.C. area, founded in 1961. It has delivered German-American education for more than 60 years. Students graduate with both the German International Abitur and a U.S. High School Diploma. It is part of the global network of German Schools Abroad, with more than 130 schools worldwide. Its motto is 'Independent. Bilingual. Weltoffen' (Open to the world).

Community
FRIENDS of the GISW is the volunteer booster club for GISW, established in 1969. The Newbees are dedicated parents who help new families settle in. An Alumni network connects former students, families, teachers, and staff. The campus life section highlights Open House events and features a Griffin Chatbot that answers questions about GISW.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
FRIENDS of the GISW is the volunteer booster club of the German International School Washington D.C. It was established in 1969. The site invites readers to join the FRIENDS. It is a community group that participates in GISW events and activities. It is listed on GISW's site alongside other community groups such as The Newbees and Alumni.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
GISW has a compact campus life with essential facilities to support daily routines. The school runs a bus program serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., with morning service and afternoon dismissals at 3:10 pm and 4:45 pm; an early release bus route is available at 12:30 pm on short days. The Cafeteria, operated by SageDining, serves hot meals daily for Preschool through Grade 12 with allergen labeling on the menu. The Bookstore sells school books, supplies, and GISW merchandise, and the Health Room supports students from preschool through 12th grade.

Academic Facilities
GISW provides Preschool, Elementary, and Grades 5 through 12 with STEM/MINT offerings. Elementary School features a modern learning environment, German curricula, English lessons at U.S. standards, and lab science. GISW graduates with the U.S. High School Diploma and the German International Abitur. The STEM/MINT program provides rigorous mathematics and science curricula focused on problem-solving and research. The FastTrack Program accelerates German language acquisition for students up to Grade 5, and NEWBEES offers support for new families.

Extra Curricular Facilities
GISW offers STEM/MINT Extracurricular activities, including Course Science for Experts, Neuroscience, Students Experiment, and Project Science Journalists. Competitions include Jugend präsentiert, Math Olympiad, Kangaroo of Mathematics, Pi Day, Pangea, Brain Bee Competition, Computer Science Beaver Competition, and FIRST LEGO League.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Authentic-STEM Projekt: Ninth-grade students solve real mathematical problems with international teams of scientists, students, and experts from German and American companies. Vogelprojekt: Environmental projects on campus enrich science instruction. Makeathon 2025: Makeathon projects bring young people from different countries and cultures together to develop innovations and solve problems. STEM/MINT: The STEM/MINT program allows GISW students to shape their profile in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, and technology.

Arts & Creative
Musik: All children love music; the kindergarten promotes movement and music, with biweekly official music sessions. German songs support language learning and English songs help us understand our environment. We dance and engage in musical counting and movement games, sometimes using simple Orff instruments, and we sing traditional German songs alongside contemporary English pieces. Kindergarten children march to the music circle with enthusiasm.

Cultural & Language
Bilingualism: Your child learns and grows in a bilingual environment—German and English—for a global future. Internationally connected: GISW is part of a global network of over 130 German international schools, signaling quality and worldwide orientation.

Social & Hobbies
FRIENDS of the GISW is the school's volunteer booster club. NEWBEES are engaged parents who help new families settle in. Alumni stay connected after their time at the school and gather as a community.

Community & Service
FRIENDS supports GISW through volunteer activities. NEWBEES provide orientation and assistance to new families joining GISW.

Leadership & Professional
25 Years of MINT-EC – School Leadership Conference 2025 reflects GISW's engagement with STEM/MINT leadership and collaboration with national and international partners.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Kindergarten emphasizes play-based learning and lots of time outdoors. The kindergarten operates five groups with two-year-olds to four-year-olds in morning sessions from 8:00 to 13:15, with many children staying in aftercare until 14:45 or 16:45. The program also offers intensive language support in German and English, and a mix of half-day and full-day placements.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught: German and English. German curricula are used, and English lessons are provided at U.S. standards. The school offers a bilingual environment with language support through the FastTrack Program. Students graduate with both the German International Abitur and the U.S. High School Diploma.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides bilingual education in German and English.

Immersion Programs
FastTrack Program: Accelerated German language acquisition for students up to Grade 5; personalized support for quick integration.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Create an account on GISW's application portal to start the online application. Submit the required information and supporting documents via the portal. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to availability. The fee schedule includes an Application Fee of $150, a New Student Enrollment Fee of $2,500 (with contract signing and non-refundable), and a Contract Deposit of $1,000 (added to tuition, non-refundable). 2. After the Admissions Office reviews the application, the decision is posted in the application portal. The typical processing time is four to six weeks. GISW cannot accept new students in Grade 12. Application checklists cover Preschool (2, 3, 4-year-olds), Grades K-4, and Grades 5-11. 3. If admitted, sign the enrollment contract in the application portal. The contract submission is due 10 days after receipt. For questions, contact the Director of Enrollment Management, Ms.

Scholarships
GISW offers need-based financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) provides the need analysis used to determine awards. Awards typically range from 10% to 40% of tuition, with a maximum of $4,000 per student for Preschool. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; those submitted by February 20, 2026 are guaranteed a response by March 27, 2026 via email.
School Events
The school has not added events
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