Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
170 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
36 |
Most common nationality |
International |
Ratio of local students to international students |
1:4 |
Native English and German speaking teachers |
Yes |
Language support for students not fluent in English and German |
Yes |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, Spanish |
Max. number of students per class |
18 |
Average number of students per class |
13 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Smart boards, laptops, and iPads are as much part of GISC teaching and learning as books, paper, pencils, paint brushes, etc. As there is WiFi throughout the School, students work with GISC-owned iPads and laptops on specific projects. |
Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes - GISC has developed a plan for fully remote learning as a response to the ongoing pandemic |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
No |
Student access to education psychologist |
No |
Entry evaluation for students |
Language Assessment |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
German language skills |
Waiting list |
No |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
No deadline |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
School start time |
8:30am |
School finish time |
3:00pm |
Supervised care before/after school |
Before-school care is available upon request from 7:30 am – 8:00 am. After-school care is offered from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Session 1: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm; Session 2: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm). |
School bus service available |
Normally, GISC offers a morning school bus service with convenient pick-up locations from Hyde Park, the South Loop, West side, North side, and the Northern suburbs. During the pandemic, this bus route is suspended. |
School provided lunches |
No |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
No |
Uniform required |
No |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Chess, coding, ballet, soccer, yoga, Zumba, piano, violin, karate, art, clay creations, guitar, theater |
Sports activities included |
We offer a wide range of after-school physical activities including soccer and karate. |
Facilities at the school |
There is a German-language library, STEM science room, and music room. |
Sports facilities at the school |
We have a gymnasium, outdoor play area with basketball hoop, and small soccer field. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
The German International School Chicago is a private, non-profit IB World School that provides students with a bilingual, international education from Preschool through Grade 8. |
Teaching approach of the school |
GISC’s curriculum is taught mainly in German with an intercultural approach drawing on the best of the German, American, and international education systems. GISC students work on transdisciplinary units with global perspectives within the framework of the International Baccalaureate.
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