Silicon Valley International School - Cohn Campus

United States, San Francisco

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English, Mandarin, French, German

Fees $39,970 - 49,130

Ages 2 - 11 years

Type Co-educational

Opened 1979

Bus Service No

Part of

Academic offering

Curriculum IB (PYP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum

Taught languages English, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish

Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Service and Sustainability

Clubs Leadership and Professional, Arts and Creative, Community and Service

Stages Early Years, Primary School

Introduction

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) is a bilingual IB World School serving students from preschool to 12th grade across two campuses: the Cohn Campus in Palo Alto and the Willows Campus in Menlo Park. Formed in 2021 from the merger of Peninsula French-American School and Alto International School, INTL offers the full IB continuum—Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme—alongside bilingual curricula in Mandarin Chinese/English, French/English, and German/English. The Upper School Language Acquisition program provides a second language pathway for 6th–12th grade English-speaking students, culminating in the IB Diploma. The school emphasizes inquiry-based learning, social-emotional development, and a dynamic bilingual approach. Facilities support arts, design thinking, computer science and educational technology, athletics, and extensive after‑school activities. Distinctive programs include Round Square exchanges and international service trips, alongside Duke of Edinburgh's Award opportunities for older students. The campus culture celebrates multilingual collaboration, global citizenship, and hands-on learning across disciplines.

This campus is part of Silicon Valley International School

151 Laura Ln, Palo Alto, CA 94303, United States

Gallery

The school has not added photos

The Essentials

Location

Two campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area: Willows Campus, 475 Pope Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025-2826; and Cohn Campus, 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303-3221.

Stages

Preschool and Pre-K on the Willows Campus; Kindergarten–5th Grade on the Cohn Campus; 6th–12th Grade on the Willows Campus.

Type

IB World School

Bus service

Bus service is available for students from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and surrounding areas. Routes include North: San Mateo and Redwood City; South: Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Service runs Monday through Friday on days when school is in session and is currently offered at no cost. Registration is via SchoolPass; there are 80 seats for the Willows Campus bus and 60 seats for the Cohn Campus bus.

Diving Deeper

Food Options

The school offers an optional hot lunch program. Prices are determined by My Green Lunch and for 2025-2026 range from $7.10 to $9.20 per meal.

House System

The school has a house system for student team-building activities.

Governance and Ownership

Governance is through Silicon Valley International School's Board of Directors. Charlotte de Géry is the founder.

Fees

Application fee

- Application fee: USD 100 for Preschool–Grade 11 applicants.

One-time enrollment / registration fee

- One-time new-student enrollment fee (due at enrollment): USD 2,000.

Tuition — annual amounts by year group (2026–2027 academic year)

- Early Years Program (Preschool – Prekindergarten): USD 39,970 per year.
- Elementary School (Kindergarten – Grade 5): USD 42,630 per year.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD 44,750 per year.
- High School (Grades 9–12): USD 49,130 per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- One Payment: full annual tuition due May 1.
- Two Payments: first payment due May 1; second payment due September 1. The Tuition Refund Plan is included when using this option.
- Eight Payments: first payment due May 1; six equal monthly payments due the 1st of each month; final payment due by December 1. The Tuition Refund Plan is included when using this option.

Tuition Refund Plan / refund-related arrangements

- A Tuition Refund Plan is offered by Dewar. It is optional for families who pay the full tuition in a single lump sum and is mandatory for families who choose the two-payment or eight-payment plans, families receiving variable tuition, recipients of the French Bourse, or families receiving tuition remission. Specific coverage and claim rules are administered by the Tuition Refund Plan provider.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not listed as a program or fee; there are no boarding fees (the school operates as day campuses).

Other costs and variable fees

- English language acquisition (ELA) support: additional, varying fee depending on level and services.
- Optional hot-lunch program: priced through the lunch vendor; 2025–2026 sample lunch prices ranged approximately USD 7.10 to USD 9.20 per meal.
- After-school activities / extended care: costs vary by program. Extended care is available for Preschool–Grade 5 (hours noted in the program listing); some early-years mini-camp and summer-camp sessions are included for Preschool and Pre-K.
- International exchange and optional travel trips: costs vary by trip and grade level (some high-school volunteer travel is covered by tuition; many international and service trips incur additional charges).
- Spirit/store purchases (optional school-branded clothing and merchandise) are available through the school spirit store; these items are optional and paid separately.

Refunds, deposits and enrollment requirements

- To secure an offered seat, families must return the signed Enrollment Agreement within the stated time frame and provide the required registration/enrollment deposit. The one-time new-student enrollment fee of USD 2,000 is charged at enrollment. The Tuition Refund Plan provides insurance-style coverage; whether tuition (or portions of it) is refundable in specific withdrawal scenarios depends on the terms of that plan and the school's enrollment agreement.

Fee payment options

- The school accepts payment methods commonly used for gifts, tuition administration, and school business: paper check and credit card are accepted for development and advancement payments, with online credit-card giving and eCheck options noted for gifts; the school lists processes for check and online credit-card transactions. Families should follow the school's tuition billing instructions and payment portal/process given in their enrollment materials for tuition payments.

Summary of items that may be charged in addition to annual tuition

- Application fee: USD 100 per applicant.
- One-time new-student enrollment fee: USD 2,000.
- ELA support: varying fee.
- Hot lunch: vendor-priced (example 2025–2026: USD 7.10–9.20 per meal).
- After-school activities, optional trips, and ancillary program fees: varying costs.
- Optional spirit-store purchases: varying costs.

(End of fee overview)

Academics

Curriculum

Preschool–12th grade IB World School with a bilingual program in Chinese, French, and German. The school offers the full IB continuum (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme). The Upper School Language Acquisition program provides a second-language curriculum for 6th–12th grade English-speaking students, culminating in the IB Diploma.

Exam Results

Class of 2025: 100% IB Diploma pass rate; average DP score 35; three Advanced Bilingual Diploma and three Bilingual Diploma recipients. Class of 2024: 100% pass rate; average DP score 33; bilingual diplomas awarded.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates gain admission to top colleges and universities worldwide; college counseling begins in 9th grade; alumni have been accepted to and attend institutions including American University, Bucknell University, Berlin International University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Brunel University (UK), CalArts, CSU campuses, Carleton College, NYU, McGill University, Middlebury College, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, University of Toronto, and more.

Parent Experience

History

INTL formed through the January 1, 2021 merger of Peninsula French-American School and Alto International School, uniting the two campuses under Silicon Valley International School (INTL). INTL offers Chinese, French, and German language programs for preschool through 12th grade, plus an Upper School Language Acquisition program and the full International Baccalaureate continuum. INTL traces its roots to 1979 when Peninsula French-American School opened as a French immersion school founded by Mme Charlotte de Géry with nine students. It became the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) in 1996, moved to Palo Alto in 1999, was authorized for the IB Primary Years Programme in 2019 and for the IB Middle Years Programme later, and was renamed Silicon Valley International School in 2020.

Community

INTL hosts annual cultural events organized by the PTA, including the Moon Festival featuring lantern parades and performances tied to Chinese language activities. PTA events foster relationships among parents, students, administration, and teachers and celebrate INTL's multicultural environment with Chinese, French, and German programs. The PTA supports community initiatives such as Gamble Garden Festival of Trees. Volunteer opportunities are coordinated through the Office of Advancement and the PTA.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The PTA organizes INTL's cultural events, including the Moon Festival. Moon Festival includes lantern parades, student performances, and language-program integration. Event chairs coordinate Moon Festival planning with school administration and language departments. PTA events foster relationships among parents, students, administration, and teachers. The PTA also supports community initiatives such as Gamble Garden's Festival of Trees, and volunteer opportunities are coordinated by the Office of Advancement and the PTA.

Facilities

Facilities Overview

The Cohn Campus (Main) is in Palo Alto and the Willows Campus is in Menlo Park. Silicon Valley International School is a bilingual IB world school serving Preschool through 12th grade. Elementary programs offer bilingual curricula in Chinese (Mandarin)/English, French/English, and German/English. The high school delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with the Middle Years Programme offered in 9th and 10th grades. The Upper School Language Acquisition program provides a second language curriculum for 6th-12th grade English-speaking students, culminating in the IB Diploma. The school emphasizes dynamic bilingual learning, inquiry-based learning, and social-emotional learning.

Academic Facilities

The school offers a full continuum of bilingual and IB-aligned academics across all divisions. Elementary programs include bilingual curricula in Mandarin Chinese/English, French/English, and German/English. The Upper School Language Acquisition program supports 6th-12th grade English-speaking students with a second language curriculum and IB Diploma. The high school delivers the IB Diploma Programme after the Middle Years Programme in 9th and 10th grades, and the programme emphasizes inquiry-based learning and social-emotional learning. Programs in Arts, Design Thinking, Computer Science and Educational Technology, Athletics, and After School Activities support a holistic academic experience.

Extra Curricular Facilities

There is a broad range of after-school activities in English, Chinese, French, and German for all grades, including arts & crafts, sports, science, dance, cultural activities, and more. After-school options include Study Hall for Elementary and Middle School students and Extended Care, with activities available on both campuses. Sample after-school activities include Yoga, Cooking, Painting & Sketching, Science Exploration, Dance, Fencing, Music, Drama, and Design and Architecture. Clubs exist in the Early Years.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

After-school activities run in English, Chinese, French, and German for all grades, including arts & crafts, sports, science, and dance. Design Thinking, Computer Science and Educational Technology, and Science Exploration extend classroom learning beyond the school day. Drama, Music, and other clubs support intellectual growth and cross‑grade collaboration; Study Hall is available for Elementary and Middle School students.

Arts & Creative

Arts are central to INTL, including visual arts, music, and performing arts. In elementary school, arts are taught in the target language by specialists and are integrated with units of inquiry, with student work showcased at community events. Upper School arts focus on expression, art history, and performance, including an end‑of‑year theater production and band participation.

Cultural & Language

INTL provides bilingual immersion in Chinese/English, French/English, and German/English from early years through high school. Upper Elementary and Middle School students have opportunities to participate in international exchange and travel, including trips to Taiwan and a Paris‑region experience, and German program trips to Germany. High School students can participate in international service and cultural trips and may spend a semester abroad through Round Square. Round Square offers worldwide exchanges, international conferences, service, and research projects for middle and high school.

Social & Hobbies

After-school activities include Yoga, Cooking, Painting & Sketching, Science Exploration, Dance, Fencing, Music, Drama, and Design Thinking, with clubs available in the Early Years. Activities and clubs are offered across both campuses, with Study Hall and Extended Care options for younger students.

Community & Service

Experiential education and foreign exchange emphasize collaboration and adventure, with local and domestic experiential learning opportunities across grades. Upper Elementary and Middle School students have international exchange and travel experiences, and High School students may participate in service trips such as Costa Rica and Nicaragua, plus a semester abroad through Round Square. CAS goals are part of the IB program, integrating service and experiential learning.

Leadership & Professional

Round Square is a network of 200 schools offering student exchanges, international conferences, service, and research projects for middle and high school. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is available, with students designing their own program to include voluntary service, physical recreation, skills, an adventurous journey, and a residential project.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Athletics are part of after-school activities, with examples including Yoga, Dance, Fencing, and other physical activities. The program promotes physical health, well-being, and collaboration across cultures, aligning with INTL's emphasis on holistic development.

Languages

Language Provision

Languages taught include Mandarin Chinese, French, German, and English. The school offers a Preschool-12 IB world school. The elementary program uses language pairings of Chinese (Mandarin)/English, French/English, and German/English; the middle school blends U.S. standards with the French national curriculum and other influences, and the high school delivers the IB Diploma Programme.

Bilingual Teaching

The school offers a Preschool-12 bilingual IB world program. It teaches Mandarin Chinese, French, German, and English. In elementary, instruction is bilingual in Chinese (Mandarin)/English, French/English, and German/English. The middle school provides a bilingual curriculum blending U.S. standards with the French national curriculum, with curricula influenced by China, Taiwan, and Germany. The Upper School Language Acquisition program serves 6th-12th Grade English-speaking students and culminates in the IB Diploma.

Immersion Programs

The Early Years Center provides bilingual immersion for preschool and pre-kindergarten. The elementary program uses bilingual curricula in Chinese (Mandarin)/English, French/English, and German/English, supporting immersion across the early grades.

Admissions

Every September Silicon Valley International School begins the application process for the following academic year. After March, rolling admissions are available for grades with open seats. Applications, supplemental forms, and activities are due in January 2026; grade‑specific requirements appear in Ravenna. Language requirements: Preschool, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten have no language proficiency requirement; 1st–11th Grade students applying to German, French, or Chinese programs will be assessed for language proficiency during the application process (scheduled January–February). Upper School language acquisition expectations apply to 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th Grade and may be discussed during parent interviews. Age requirements: 3 years old for Preschool, 4 for PreKindergarten, 5 for Kindergarten by September 1; children must be potty trained. Foreign students must comply with US immigration regulations, and guidance for I‑20 visas is available from the admissions team. Admissions checklists by grade include: Preschool, PreKindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st Grade applicants — attend a tour and virtual information session, submit an Application and a $100 fee, schedule a Parent Conversation, attend a playdate assessment (January/February), and submit a Teacher Recommendation Form; 2nd–5th Grade — attend a tour, virtual information session, submit an Application and fee, schedule a Parent Conversation, attend a student visit day and 1:1 Language Assessment, submit a Teacher Recommendation Form, and submit Report Cards; 6th–8th Grade — tour/Open House, virtual information session, submit an Application and fee, schedule a Parent Conversation, attend a student visit day, 1:1 Language Assessment, submit a Teacher Recommendation Form, and submit Report Cards; 9th–11th Grade — tour/Open House, virtual information session, submit an Application and fee, schedule a Student Interview, attend a student visit day, 1:1 Language Assessment, submit two Teacher Recommendations, and submit Report Cards; 12th Grade — contact admissions regarding IB DP requirements. Important dates include January 13, 2026 (Application for Admission Due, PS–11th), January 20, 2026 (Variable Tuition Application Deadline), January 30, 2026 (Supplemental Forms Due), March 19, 2026 (Admission Decision for PS–8th, 12:00 noon), and March 20, 2026 (Admission Decision for 9th–12th, after 4:00 pm). Decisions are published in March via Ravenna. If accepted, the Enrollment Agreement must be returned within 7 days with a registration deposit. Spaces not filled after the 7‑day return period are offered to wait‑pooled applicants on a rolling basis, continuing until the start of school in August, space permitting. Inquiries are welcome year‑round; rolling admissions are available for grades with open seats.

Waitlist

Spaces not filled after enrollment deposits are made available to wait‑pooled applicants on a rolling basis. Rolling admissions continue until the start of school in August, depending on space in each class.

School Events

The school has not added events

FAQs

Where is the Cohn Campus located and which grades does it serve?

The Cohn Campus is at 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303-3221 and serves Kindergarten–5th Grade students (approximately ages 5–11). The school is part of Silicon Valley International School, which also operates the Willows Campus in Menlo Park for other divisions.

Is Silicon Valley International School - Cohn Campus an international or bilingual school?

Yes, INTL is an IB World School offering a bilingual IB curriculum. The school provides bilingual programs in Mandarin Chinese/English, French/English, and German/English across its divisions and delivers the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).

What is the school's educational approach and curriculum at the Cohn Campus?

The Cohn Campus follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme with a bilingual, inquiry-based approach and an emphasis on social-emotional development. Elementary students learn in bilingual pathways (Mandarin, French, or German paired with English) with specialist instruction in arts and other subjects integrated into units of inquiry.

How do I begin the admissions process and when should I apply?

The formal application cycle opens each September for the following academic year, with key application materials due January 13, 2026 for Preschool–11th Grade and supplemental forms due January 30, 2026. After March, rolling admissions are available for grades with open seats and families may contact admissions year‑round for inquiries.

What application and enrollment fees should I expect when applying?

The application fee is USD 100 for Preschool–Grade 11 applicants, and there is a one-time new-student enrollment fee of USD 2,000 due at enrollment to secure a place. To confirm an offered seat, families must return the signed Enrollment Agreement within the stated time frame and provide the required registration/enrollment deposit.

How does the waitlist and rolling admissions work if a seat isn't immediately available?

Spaces not filled after the enrollment deposit deadline are offered to wait‑pooled applicants on a rolling basis, and rolling admissions continue until the start of school in August depending on space in each class. Families on the wait pool may be offered seats as they become available.

What languages are taught at the Cohn Campus and is it truly immersion?

Elementary programs at the Cohn Campus use bilingual curricula in Mandarin (Chinese)/English, French/English, and German/English, providing immersion-style instruction in the target language. Arts and specialist subjects are also taught in the target language to support bilingual development.

If English is not my child's first language, what language support options are available?

The school offers an Upper School Language Acquisition program for 6th–12th grade and English language acquisition (ELA) support is available for an additional fee, with specific costs varying by level and services. Younger students applying to language-track programs are assessed for language proficiency as part of the admissions process.

What are the school's IB exam results and college preparation outcomes?

The Class of 2025 achieved a 100% IB Diploma pass rate with an average DP score of 35, and the Class of 2024 also had a 100% pass rate with an average DP score of 33. College counseling begins in 9th grade and graduates have been admitted to universities worldwide, including UC Berkeley, NYU, McGill, Middlebury, and the University of Toronto among others.

How are classes organized in the elementary program and are specialist subjects available?

Elementary students follow the IB Primary Years Programme with bilingual instruction and receive specialist classes in arts, music, and other disciplines taught in the target language. The curriculum integrates arts, design thinking, computer science, and educational technology to support hands-on, interdisciplinary learning.

What facilities support arts, design thinking, and technology at the Cohn Campus?

The school's facilities support arts, design thinking, computer science, and educational technology across its campuses, enabling hands-on projects and maker-style learning. Student work is showcased at community events and Upper School programs extend into more advanced arts and technology offerings.

What extracurricular activities and after-school options are offered for elementary students?

After-school activities run in English, Chinese, French, and German and include arts & crafts, sports, science, dance, fencing, music, drama, and Design Thinking. The school provides Extended Care and Study Hall for Elementary and Middle School students, with program costs varying by activity.

Does INTL offer international exchanges or service trips for younger students?

Upper Elementary and Middle School students have opportunities for international exchange and travel, including trips to Taiwan and the Paris region, and German program trips to Germany. High School students have additional Round Square exchanges, international service trips, and the option of a semester abroad.

What leadership and award programs are available to students beyond academics?

Students can participate in Round Square global exchanges and conferences as well as the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, where older students design programs including service, physical activity, skills, and an adventurous journey. These programs integrate well with IB CAS goals in Upper School.

How does the school support students' wellbeing and social-emotional development?

INTL emphasizes social-emotional development as part of its inquiry-based approach and promotes physical health and wellbeing through after-school athletics and movement activities such as Yoga and Dance. The school integrates social-emotional learning across curriculum and extracurricular programming to support holistic development.

Does the Cohn Campus offer school bus service for families coming from nearby cities?

Yes, bus service is available for students from Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and surrounding areas including routes to San Mateo, Redwood City, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale. Service runs Monday through Friday on school days, is currently offered at no cost, and registration is via SchoolPass with 80 seats for the Willows Campus and 60 seats for the Cohn Campus.

Is boarding available at the Cohn Campus or elsewhere in the school?

No, boarding is not offered; Silicon Valley International School operates as day campuses with no boarding program and therefore no boarding fees. All students attend as day students.

Is there a school lunch program and how much does it generally cost?

An optional hot lunch program is available through the vendor My Green Lunch, with sample 2025–2026 meal prices ranging from USD 7.10 to USD 9.20 per meal. Families may opt in to the vendor program and pay for lunches separately.

What is the school's governance and who founded the school?

Silicon Valley International School is governed by a Board of Directors and the Head of School is Barbara Greiner. The school traces its roots to 1979 when Peninsula French-American School was founded by Charlotte de Géry and later merged with Alto International School to form INTL in 2021.

How active is the parent community and what kinds of community events does the school host?

The PTA is active and organizes annual cultural events, including the Moon Festival with lantern parades and student performances that celebrate the school's Chinese, French, and German programs. Volunteer opportunities and community initiatives are coordinated through the Office of Advancement and the PTA, supporting strong parent‑school collaboration.

What are the tuition fees at Silicon Valley International School - Cohn Campus?

Annual tuition at Silicon Valley International School - Cohn Campus ranges from USD 39,970 to USD 49,130 depending on year group. Fees are reviewed each year, so check the school's current fee schedule before applying.

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