Teaching Philosophy

No! A child can enroll in Preschool or Kindergarten with no exposure to the German or Chinese language.

Yes! All GIS students receive music, art and PE each week

Near-native or native fluency of the German or Chinese language is a requirement for all teachers who instruct in German or Chinese, including Head classroom teachers. Teaching assistants are either native or proficient in the language. All English teachers are native English speakers. Read all about our staff!

We are the only school (preschool-5th grade) in the Portland metro area that offers German language as an immersion program; our graduates will speak German fluently upon graduation. The addition of a Chinese track option gives parents even more language-immersion choice. Our academic standard is very high, we hire experienced teachers, keep class sizes small, and teach using a German curriculum within the International Baccalaureate framework, recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities.

Who?

For motivated students entering grades 1 through 3 with little to no German or Mandarin skills.

What?

One-year accelerated program that embeds students in a language immersion classroom with individual or small group pull-out sessions to offer intensive language support.

How?

Relevant and hands-on learning opportunities with real-life connections

Interactive language software

small group instruction

one-on-one coaching

Language immersion classroom

Expert visits

Field trips