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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
Availability Not shared by this school
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.

giswashington.org

8617 Chateau Dr, Potomac, MD 20854, United States

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
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
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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
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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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
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