The GAIS Förderverein is a great way to stay in touch with both our school and the GAIS families who have returned to Europe.

As we prepare for our 20^th Anniversary on May 16^th at the Stanford University Faculty Club, we are very happy to learn that the GAIS "Förderverein" continues to be active in supporting the school and providing our families a means to network. Over the 20-year history of the school, hundreds of GAIS families have returned or re-located to the German-speaking Europe. The Förderverein offers these families a great opportunity to support this wonderful school while the alumni meetings allow them to keep up with old friends. Our website is intended to allow you to stay abreast with recent developments at the school, and continue to build the bridge of international awareness, clearly fitting in with our mission to educate global and critical thinkers.

Over the past few years, GAIS has evolved into a true international school. In February 2007, the International Baccalaureate Organization authorized GAIS as an IB World School offering the Primary Years Program. We are the only school to do so entirely in the German language.  Being a recognized IB School will clearly have an effect on attracting International families of German speaking origin as well as families looking for a truly international program. Being an IB school will also help in recruiting top native-speaking teachers, not only those looking for a California experience but also those wishing to move up in their professional careers. With our strong management team, new salary and benefits structure, and prudent financial control, we have taken the school a long way forward to become a successful and well-managed international school.

One of the fruits of our work was the excellent student performance in the recent ISA tests conducted for the second time in Grade Three.  These tests, run by the organization that conducts the PISA tests, are taken at most International Schools around the world.  The results show that our students performed above the average for International School students in Math and Reading and were right in the middle for writing skills.  Given the level of the schools we are being compared with, these results are superb!

Another, less tangible, outcome is the overwhelmingly positive and supportive atmosphere on campus.  After some tough years in the past, we have now clearly embraced a common direction based on shared values and open communication.  The refreshing cultural diversity and multitude of traditional social and cultural events, together with the broadened language concept (Spanish and French as part of the curriculum from 5th grade) make the German-American International School a real Euro-campus.

Having achieved our goal of implementing the International Baccalaureate program, and growing yearly at the rate of around 10 percent, we recently needed to upgrade our facilities to host all the new students.  To this end, we put in two new portables last year and are adding one more next year.

We are extremely thankful to all the families, alumni and corporations for their continued financial and hands-on support to help the school prosper and invest in the future.  The commitment and generosity of our families never ceases to amaze us. The German Förderverein was active last year and contributed Euro 1,400 to our school budget. Operating an outstanding school does have its financial ramifications, however, the most important favor you can do to our school does not cost you anything. Just tell your friends about GAIS, increase the awareness of what we offer, and make our recruiting of new families much easier.

Please come and visit or have a look at our new website at www.gais.org .  You would be surprised about how all the good things have stayed the same, yet how much we have developed in the past few years.  Just imagine what we will be in the future!

And to all our alumni around the word: We would love to hear how you are doing, please send any updates of your whereabouts to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so that we can keep in touch.   To learn more about the German Förderverein and for membership applications or tax-free donations, please contact the founder and secretary This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our Förderverein in Germany is a great way to keep in touch with the school for families who have moved back to Germany.