The German International School New York (also known as Deutsche Internationale Schule New York, or 'GISNY' for short) is a

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bilingual Multilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers. It is believed that multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. More than half of all E ...

(

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

)

college preparatory school A college-preparatory school (usually shortened to preparatory school or prep school) is a type of secondary school. The term refers to public, private independent or parochial schools primarily designed to prepare students for higher education ...

that enrolls over 400 students in grades Pre-K through 12. The School is located in

White Plains, New York (Always Faithful) , image_seal = WhitePlainsSeal.png , seal_link = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = U.S. state, State , su ...

, approximately 25 miles north of

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

, and is divided into three schools on the same campus: the Lower School, the Middle School and the Upper School. Many GISNY students are citizens of German-speaking countries. Increasingly, however, the school enrolls a diverse community that includes families from all over the world. Today, more than a third of GISNY students are US citizens or reside in the US permanently. GISNY is accredited by the

New York State Association of Independent Schools The New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) is an association of 201 independent schools and organizations, ranging from nurseries to high schools, in New York (state), New York State. Founded in 1947, NYSAIS is the second la ...

( NYSAIS), the Permanent Conference of the Departments of Education of the Federal Republic of Germany(

: ''Ständige Konferenz der Kultusminister der Länder in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland''), and is a New York non-public Elementary and Secondary School. GISNY is a partner school of the German initiative "Schulen: Partner der Zukunft" and was awarded the title of "excellent foreign school" by the German '' Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA)'' in August 2009 and again in November 2014.Deutsche Schule New York - Facts
/ref>

School Facts at a Glance

* 420: Average number of students in Pre-K through 12th grade * 90: Percentage of faculty who hold an advanced degree (Master of Art or European equivalent) * 30: Percentage of students (and growing) who were born in the United States or who reside in the United States permanently * 10+: Number of native languages spoken by GISNY students with their families * 2: Diplomas awarded to GISNY graduates: NY State High School Diploma & German International Abitur (Deutsches Internationales Abitur, DIA) * 25: Miles north of New York City * 1: Lunch program ranked as the Best of Westchester 2013 by Westchester Magazine * 20: Acres of trees and rolling green hills that the campus sits on

History

Founding

German International School New York was founded by Siegfried A. Kessler in response to the need to provide educational continuity for the children of German-speaking executives based in the Tri-State area of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. German-speaking parents feared that, by taking foreign assignments, their children would be inadequately prepared and might even fail examinations upon their return to Europe. In 1978, Mr. Kessler, former president of

Carl Zeiss AG Carl Zeiss AG (), branded as ZEISS, is a German manufacturer of optical systems and optoelectronics, founded in Jena, Germany in 1846 by optician Carl Zeiss. Together with Ernst Abbe (joined 1866) and Otto Schott (joined 1884) he laid the f ...

, founded a non-profit organization called the "German Forum". The organization's prime goal was to found a school offering German-speaking children an education that would be recognized in their home countries. Kessler's hope was that the institution would be "one that would contribute to improving relations between nations." The school officially opened on September 8, 1980. On September 23, 1980, Germany's Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hans Dietrich Genscher, led the dedication ceremony. Speaking as the designated representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, he affirmed that the school would primarily provide German-speaking children with an education that would be recognized in their home countries. He also emphasized, however, that the school should not isolate itself, but should integrate into its surroundings and incorporate its American context into its own activities and perspectives. This way, the school would become a bridge and meeting point between Germans and Americans.

Expansion and enhancement

Beginning with the purchase of its existing school building in White Plains, NY in 1982, GISNY has undergone several changes. To accommodate more students of different age groups, an Upper School was added to the Lower School. The first high school graduation took place on May 15, 1989. By the school's 30th anniversary in 2010, the student body had increased to 350 with a faculty of over 40 teachers. The period between 1997 and 2001 saw the largest of many improvements to the school's facilities with the construction of a state-of-the-art gym complete with a professional rock-climbing wall. In September 2010, the school completed the installment of solar panels on the gym's roof as part of an ongoing effort to reduce its ecological footprint. Today, the solar panels generate, on average, 20% of the school's electricity. There have also been changes to the school's educational program, including the introduction of the twelve-year curriculum, the German International Abitur (Deutsches Internationales Abitur - DIA) (the class of 2017 will be the first to receive this diploma), and more recently a Pre-Kindergarten program for three- and four-year-olds (September 2014). At the Annual Meeting of Members in November 2013, the Corporation approved a proposal to change the name of the school from German School New York to German International School New York, or GISNY for short. The name change became official on September 2, 2014, at a ceremony attended by White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach an
German Consul General Brita Wagener

Academics

Lower School

In first through fourth grades, students learn to read fluently and to express themselves clearly in both written and spoken German and English. To establish a solid foundation for the academic rigors of the International Abitur curriculum in the Middle and Upper Schools, most subjects are taught in German. However, all students receive daily individualized English instruction taught by native English-speaking teachers. For students for whom German is not their first language, the school provides German as a Second Language (GSL) support during the school day as well as an optional after-school class.

Middle and Upper Schools

As GISNY students transition from the Lower School to the Middle and Upper Schools, they are welcomed into a new world of challenging academic instruction. In addition to languages, students receive intensive instruction in math, sciences (physics, chemistry, biology), history and social studies (both European and American), economics, geography, art and music. The rigorous International Abitur curriculum, recognized globally for its depth and breadth – for example, GISNY students begin studying biology in 5th grade, physics in 7th grade and chemistry in 8th grade – prepares students for the world's most selective colleges and universities. GISNY employs highly qualified faculty from the US, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, 90% of whom hold an advanced degree and are considered highly trained experts in their fields. ''Languages'' In our Middle and Upper Schools, students take English every year. The English Department offers differentiated instruction based on a student's level of English fluency. Students in Advanced English (native speakers and those who wish to attend a US university) and those taking English elective courses receive instruction from veteran native English-speaking teachers. For students who are less familiar with English, GISNY also offers English as a Second Language (ESL). In addition to German and English, students add either French or Spanish beginning in 6th grade, and as of 10th grade may choose to add the other language in lieu of physics. Additionally, Latin is offered as an elective course beginning in 7th grade. ''The Bilingual Curriculum'' Beginning in 5th grade, geography, biology and physical education are taught in both German and English. Music theory and visual arts courses are taught increasingly in English from 5th through 9th grades and exclusively in English from 10th grade on. Also taught in English are American History, which begins in 8th grade, and economics, which begins in 10th grade. ''The German International Abitur (Deutsches Internationales Abitur - DIA)'' GISNY confers upon its graduates both the New York State

high school diploma A high school diploma or high school degree is a North American academic school leaving qualification awarded upon high school graduation. The high school diploma is typically obtained after a course of study lasting four years, from grade 9 to gra ...

and the German International

Abitur ''Abitur'' (), often shortened colloquially to ''Abi'', is a qualification granted at the end of secondary education in Germany. It is conferred on students who pass their final exams at the end of ISCED 3, usually after twelve or thirteen year ...

, known in German as the Deutsche Internationale Abitur, or DIA. The DIA grants students the possibility of attending competitive colleges and universities through the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Europe, providing them with truly global options. The program leading to the International

at GISNY includes the following subjects: * German language and literature * English language and literature * European history * American studies/Politics * French language and literature * Spanish language and literature * Latin ptional* Mathematics * Biology * Chemistry * Physics * Music theory and history * Art studio and history * Physical Education

School Traditions and Clubs

Students, faculty and parents take part in several events throughout the school year, such as the participation in the

German-American Steuben Parade Von Steuben Day is a holiday traditionally held on a weekend in mid-September (von Steuben was born September 17), celebrating the Prussian-born Baron Friedrich von Steuben, who arrived in the United States as a volunteer offering his services to ...

along

Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue is a major and prominent thoroughfare in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It stretches north from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to West 143rd Street in Harlem. It is one of the most expensive shopping stre ...

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

, as well as the annual ''Weihnachtsbasar'' (holiday event) and sporting events. The GISNY literary week also takes place every year, welcoming prominent German and/or American authors and writers to the school. The GISNY is partnered with the Westchester Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, allowing students to participate in political events and debates with surrounding schools. In addition, the school shares ties with the Alexander von Humboldt German International School of

Montréal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-p ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

, the German School Washington, D.C. and the ''Colegio Humboldt'' in

San José, Costa Rica San José (; meaning "Saint Joseph") is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is in the center of the country, in the mid-west of the Central Valley, within San José Canton. San ...

, allowing numerous programs between schools. GISNY students are encouraged to participate in school clubs, such as the German School Literary Magazine, Yearbook Club, Human Rights and Environment Club, Biology Club,

Model United Nations Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. At a MUN conference, students work as the representative of a count ...

, Mock Trial, Theater Club, School Choir, Glee Club, School Band, School Orchestra and the Home Economics Club. Students may also choose to additionally take part in various athletics such as Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Badminton and Tennis.

German Language School at GISNY

For over 20 years, GISNY has been home to the German Language School (

: ''Deutsche Sprachschule''), giving students outside the GISNY the opportunity to learn and practice their

German language German ( ) is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language mainly spoken in Central Europe. It is the most widely spoken and Official language, official or co-official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Ita ...

skills in a cultural and international environment. The German Language School offers a number of exams including:About us - DSS-White Plains
/ref> * SOPA: Student Oral Proficiency Assessment * National German Language Exam * Comprehensive New York State German Regents Exam *

SAT II SAT Subject Tests were 20 multiple-choice standardized tests given by the College Board on individual subjects, typically taken to improve a student's credentials for college admissions in the United States. On January 19, 2021, the College Board ...

– German *

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course ...

( AP) Exam - German * ''Deutsches Sprachdiplom der KMK – Niveaustufen: A2, A2/B1 + B2/C1''

References

External links

* Official Websit
www.gisny.org
* GISNY Parents' Association (

: ''Elternbeirat''
www.gisny.org/parentsassoc
* German Language School at GISN
http://www.germanlanguageschoolwhiteplains.org/
{{Authority control Schools in White Plains, New York High schools in White Plains, New York German-American culture in New York (state) International schools in New York (state)

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

Bilingual schools in the United States Private K-12 schools in Westchester County, New York Educational institutions established in 1980 1980 establishments in New York (state)