News

2023

  • 8th Graders Complete DSD 1 Written Exam

    Our 8th grade students completed the written part of the Deutsches Sprachdiplom 1 examination last Thursday, and they will complete the oral examination March 21. Under the tutelage of German Department Chair Ulf Hennig, the students prepared extensively for the exam. The actual written exams are externally assessed in Germany, and passing marks certify our students’ German language proficiency to attend school in Germany. This examination represents our school’s and our students’ culminating experience in their commitment to study German, to speak German, to read German, and to write in German. Congratulations to our 8th grade students, who will receive their results in the next few months!

    We thank Mr. Hennig for administering and proctoring the examination, and appreciate GISC Enrollment Director Danica Polanski's help with the oral exams. 

  • Fasching 2023

    On February 17, we kicked off our February Break by celebrating Fasching at GISC! We dressed up in costumes, hosted a special assembly, and even had a few dance parties in Preschool and Elementary School. 

    Fasching, or Karneval, is the German name for pre-Lenten Carnival celebrations. In cities all over Germany, partygoers don costumes or masks and attend events and parades through town. Learn more about one of Germany's most festive holidays here!

  • GISC State of the School 2023

    Thank you for attending our 2023 State of the School presentations on February 8! GISC Director Ben Hebebrand walked us through the status of the school, our exciting plans for the future, and more. Throughout the day, members of the GISC faculty including Ulf Hennig, Katharina Koch, and Dr. Inka Kirchenbuechler also spoke, shedding light on the school's IB curriculum, our German language program, and our various STEAM initiatives. Ben closed by quoting a few of our graduating 8th graders, who mentioned global opportunity and bilingualism as defining aspects of their time at GISC. 

    If you would like to see a recording of the State of the School virtual session, please visit our YouTube page here. You can also view the State of the School presentation here. 

    We look forward to hosting everyone again next year!

  • GISC Plans to Commit to ZfA Partnership

    Following a yearlong exploration of GISC joining the network of 135 official German Schools Abroad, the GISC Board of Trustees has authorized Director Ben Hebebrand to pursue an official membership agreement with the Zentralstelle für das Auslandschulwesen (ZfA – Central Office of German Schools Abroad).
     
    Our exploration culminated last school year with a two-day visit by our regional ZfA officer, who designated our school as a worthy ZfA German School Abroad based on our curriculum, mission, results, and track record. Throughout the exploration of membership in this network of German Schools Abroad, our school learned that the missions of GISC and the ZfA share common goals such as:
    • Developing bilingualism/multilingualism of students, leading to high competency levels in the German language
    • Emphasizing intercultural learning and democratic values
    • Offering students the opportunity to pursue German and internationally-recognized diplomas so that students may pursue higher education throughout the world
    • Valuing independent and critical thinking 
    • Supporting students of all national backgrounds to immerse in German language and culture
    GISC believes that the synergy between the missions of the school and the ZfA will lay the foundation of a long-standing, mutually beneficial partnership.

  • North American German School Directors Meet in Berlin

    The directors of growing German International Schools in Toronto, Brooklyn, Portland, and Chicago had a wonderful meeting at the conference for the network of the 140 German Schools Abroad, taking place now in Berlin! Together, our schools are just a few of the 40 German Schools Abroad committed to the International Baccalaureate curriculum framework.

    GISC Director Ben Hebebrand is enjoying his time at the conference and can't wait to return to school next week!
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1726 W Berteau Ave. Chicago, IL 60613 | (773) 880-8812 | info@germanschoolchicago.com 
German International School Chicago is a pre-K through 8th grade school that prepares students to become well-rounded, creative, and responsible global citizens. We provide students with a rigorous German-English bilingual education in a supportive and individualized learning environment.

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