The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) is a school educating children from preschool to grade 12 using bilingual full immersion at sites in Mountain View, Emeryville and San Francisco in California. Students graduate the school with both the German International Abitur and the California High School Diploma. The school is accredited with the Western Association of Schools (WASC) as well as by the German government. At the end of 2018 the Emeryville campus will close and reorganize as a separate school.
History
The German School of Silicon Valley (GSSV) was established in November 1999 as a spin-out of the German-American International School (now Alto International School) in Menlo Park. Instruction began in February 2000 with 34 students. In July 2000, the school moved to the site of the former Whisman Elementary School in Mountain View. In 2003, the GSSV officially changed its name to the German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV).
In 2012 the GSSV opened a campus at the site of the Hillside Elementary School in Berkeley, but this was closed in December 2016 due to unmet seismic retrofit needs. The Mountain View site, which is shared with Yew Chung International School, is to be expanded with the addition of portable classrooms to house the middle school.
The German International Abitur
The five Abitur exams (three written exams and two oral exams) are in the following subjects: German Literature, European History or Economics or Math or a Natural Science or a language. In February of senior year, all students take the written examinations for the German International Abitur in three subjects including German. In late spring, grade 12 students have mandatory oral examinations in two subjects, which are overseen by a German educational official. The final GPA includes grades from both junior and senior years, as well as for the five Abitur exams. The final diploma that students receive after successful completion of these exams allows them to qualify for admission to Universities in Germany.
Locations
- Mountain View, California
- San Francisco Presidio, California
- East Bay Campus at the Ex-Anna Yates School in Emeryville - Will close after spring 2018 and reorganize into a separate school, called the East Bay German International School.
References
