Annual Report 2025/26
TABLE OF CONTENTS
At GISSV, one education earns two diplomas: the German International Abitur and the American high school diploma, opening doors to leading universities worldwide.
Welcome
03
The Stewards of GISSV
04
GISSV belongs to a global network of 135 officially recognized German Schools Abroad (Deutsche Auslandsschulen), a distinction it maintains through regular evaluations by German education officials and a rigorous accreditation process. Within that network, GISSV holds the highest tier of recognition: certification as an Excellent German School Abroad (Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule), a status the German Federal Government awards only after a comprehensive on-site inspection (the Bund-Länder-Inspektion) of GISSV’s academic and program quality.
Mission and Vision
05
Leadership 2026/27
06
Many Voices, One Community
08
Moments and Milestones
10
Financial Overview
12
Fundraising
13
Beyond its German credentials, GISSV is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Both agencies conduct routine qualityassurance reviews confirming that GISSV meets the highest standards of private education in California.
Rooted and Rising
14
Setting Our Course
15
Welcome
Welcome from the Head of School A year ago, I ended my foreword with a cautious hope: if the following years felt as inspiring as my first eight months, we would be on an excellent path. I am pleased to report that the path held. The strategic plan the Board adopted in May 2025 produced its first tangible result within months: leadership teams on each campus, guided by a Core Leadership Team, so that decisions are made closer to the classrooms they affect. Our community delivered the strongest Annual Fund in the school’s history, close to half a million dollars. And ten Professional Learning Communities, involving almost every teacher we have, turned strategy into things students can actually see. To name just a few: an AI policy, a cultural calendar, the first steps toward selfdirected learning in elementary school, and Goldie, our eagle. Five of them are continuing this year. What I am most looking forward to is building on that. A sharper focus on academic excellence. Students who take more ownership of their learning, from Kibili to the Abitur. And a faculty with the time and trust to teach at its best. In short: fewer things at once, done better. Thank you for being part of it.
Welcome from the President of the Board of Directors Dear GISSV Community, This year marked a decisive step from foundation-building to stewardship. With Dr. Wolfram Schrimpf firmly established as our Head of School, the Board’s focus turned to supporting his leadership as he set his vision in motion. Dr. Schrimpf has proven himself an exceptional leader, and together with our remarkable faculty, staff, and leadership team, he continues to move GISSV forward with clarity and purpose. A defining achievement this year was securing the lease for our Mountain View campus, resolving a long-standing question and giving our community the stability it deserves. This milestone anchors our future and allows us to plan with confidence. Looking ahead, the Board’s vision is clear: the disciplined execution of our Strategic Plan 2025-2030 and unwavering support for our head of school and his team. Our role is to steward that direction with the highest standards of governance. I thank my fellow trustees and this extraordinary community. With warm regards,
Dr. Wolfram Schrimpf Head of School Shamala Hinrichsen
The Stewards of GISSV “Serving on the board of trustees means becoming a steward of the school, not just a parent. Trustees play a critical role in safeguarding GISSV’s mission, values and financial health for students today and in the future. The decisions we make today shape the school for decades to come.” Lisa Gimbel, Election Committee Chair, GISSV Board of Directors
GISSV BOARD OF DIRECTORS Shamala Hinrichsen President Onur Cinar Vice President Zouhair Belkoura Treasurer Julian Merten Vice Treasurer Brigitte Binkert Secretary Keerthi Vishnudas Vice Secretary Lisa Gimbel Rima Mutreja Supriya Solbach Matthias Grundmann Zahar Barth-Manzoori GISSV GENERAL MANAGER/ BEAUFTRAGTER DES VORSTANDS In January 2026, the board hired Jeff Beauregard as General Manager/Beauftragter des Vorstands, a standing role bridging the board and leadership to ensure continuity.
Mission and Vision
Everything begins with our mission and vision.
OUR MISSION
At GISSV, we foster academic excellence, champion belonging, and equip students with the skills to navigate languages, cultures, and the complexities of a global society. We provide a rigorous, multilingual learning environment for students that seek a German-American education beginning in preschool and culminating in both a German Abitur and American high school diploma. In our strong community, close student-teacher relationships cultivate both intellectual and emotional growth. Together, we shape the future.
Wir vermitteln mehr als Fachwissen: Wir fördern das Denken, Verstehen und Mitfühlen. Die Kinder und Jugendlichen lernen auf Deutsch und Englisch – in einem Umfeld, das herausfordert und unterstützt. Wir begleiten sie von der frühen Kindheit bis zum deutschen Abitur und zum amerikanischen High-School-Abschluss. Dabei wachsen sie nicht nur akademisch, sondern auch als Persönlichkeiten: stark, sozial und bereit für eine vernetzte Welt.
VISION
We go beyond preparing students for the future. We empower them to shape it.
Grounded in GISSV’s mission, vision, and values, and guided by our governance responsibility as a board elected by you, the society, we have worked this year to deliver on our promise to empower a thriving school community. A visionary head of school and a strategic plan decisively in motion are proof of that commitment. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, and we look forward to seeing these improvements take further shape in the year ahead.
Wir machen Kinder und Jugendliche stark für eine globale Zukunft: neugierig denkend, kulturell offen und verantwortungsvoll handelnd.
Leadership 2026/27 Supported by the board, Head of School Dr. Wolfram Schrimpf and his core leadership team chart the school’s operational and pedagogical direction. Campus leaders, faculty, and staff bring that direction to life every day, driving student growth and achievement.
CORE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Wolfram Schrimpf Head of School
Dr. Frauke Ritter Vice Head of School, MV
Désirée Appadurai Chief Administrative Officer
Stefanie Wenk 2nd Vice Head of School, SF
MOUNTAIN VIEW LEADERSHIP
Morena Waack Head of Kibili
Michelle Catudal Head of Elementary School
Tanja Zimmermann Head of Middle School
Nadine HeckmannZakharov Head of Elementary School
Hannah Wexler Head of Middle School
Angelika Schilli Head of Student Support Team
Wlad Paiva Head of Auxiliary Programs
Sebastian Berk Head of High School
(Preschool & Kindergarten)
SAN FRANCISCO LEADERSHIP
Noëlle McGregor Head of Kibili (Preschool & Kindergarten)
CROSS-CAMPUS LEADERSHIP
Jenny Jungeblut U.S. Dean of Academic & College Counseling
(Afternoon & Summer Camp Programs)
Many Voices, One Community
At GISSV, students grow up among many cultures in one close-knit community, learning early that the world is wonderfully diverse and deeply connected.
“I am a neuroscientist and as a brain researcher I can say: A bilingual education and immersion does amazing things for the brain. And it expands not only the way you think about language, but also about cultures and about how the world works. It is amazing that [students] can start learning two languages at such a young age.” Brett, Grade 1 Parent
German and English run through daily school life, bringing together students, families, and educators from many backgrounds and fostering genuine openness, collaboration, and intercultural understanding.
OUR ENROLLMENT San Francisco Mountain View 44 28 28
131
136
106 80
Kibili
Elementary
Middle School
High School
GISSV offers an internationally recognized, college-preparatory education that is academically rigorous, culturally rich, and multilingual to students of all nationalities and backgrounds. With a well-rounded curriculum spanning languages, STEM, and the arts, GISSV nurtures curious, openminded, independent thinkers and opens doors to leading colleges and universities across North America and Europe.
DUAL-DIPLOMA AND MULTILINGUAL CURRICULUM
PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADUATION
553
29
STUDENTS ACROSS TWO CAMPUSES
LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STUDENTS
52
NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED
Moments and Milestones
At GISSV, learning reaches beyond the classroom as students carry knowledge into real-world experiences that spark curiosity and build independence. KIBILI NATURE PLAY “Sending our four-year-old son to a school that prioritizes nature and outdoor play has been wonderful to watch. He spends so much of his day outside, with the freedom to run, explore, discover, and make up games and little adventures with his friends using whatever they find around them. This kind of play-based exploration has sparked his imagination and, most of all, helped his confidence blossom. We’re incredibly grateful that he gets to learn and grow while still having the freedom to simply be a kid.“ Preschool Parent
STUDENT EXCHANGE “The exchange isn’t just a trip; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity [that] shaped me into an independent young adult who can navigate whole new cultures and language barriers on my own. It gave me worldwide friendships, unforgettable memories, and a newly discovered appreciation for German style döner (kebap)!” Elisabeth Smarr, Grade 10 Student
Graduate destinations: Germany (44%) United States (31%) Switzerland Austria England France Italy Japan Netherlands Scotland
Universities attended: Stanford TU München Columbia UC Berkeley Universität Heidelberg
Fields of study: BA/Management Medicine Biology Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Chemistry Computer Science/ Engineering Economics Law Physics/Mathematics Political Science Linguistics Psychology Sports/Exercise Science Architecture Film/Television Music Neuroscience Philosophy
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION Winner Best Bilingual Preschool (MV campus) ParentsPress 2026 Winner Best Bilingual Elementary School (MV + SF campuses) ParentsPress 2026 Winner Best Independent High School (MV campus) ParentsPress 2026 Winner Best Preschool Best Private School Mountain View Voice Best of 2025
Financial Overview We have maintained a strong financial position this year. Tuition remains our primary source of income by a significant margin, and by expanding our fundraising efforts together, we can sustain this position even as enrollment fluctuates from year to year. Every contribution strengthens GISSV for current and future families. Last year’s unaudited results and this year’s budget projections appear below.
For the upcoming school year, our budget balances fiscal stability with targeted investment. We are pleased to report that enrollment has already exceeded our projection: 546 full-time students (FTE) are currently enrolled, with 549 signed contracts. In response to rising costs, we have implemented tuition increases of 4.5% in Mountain View and 5% in San Francisco. As financial support from Germany gradually declines, we are strengthening our fundraising efforts to maintain tuition within a moderate and competitive range for our families. The budget incorporates a 2.75% cost-of-living adjustment for all staff, in addition to standard step increases for faculty. The board has undertaken the task of evaluating GISSV’s compensation practices to ensure we are keeping pace with the Bay Area market. We have also allocated funding to support teacher retention, building on last year’s Annual Fund campaign. We are pleased to confirm that all positions are currently filled.
$23,854,042
Revenue Unaudited 2025/26
$23,732,574
Expenses Unaudited 2025/26
Tuition and Fees (74%)
Instructional and Teaching Expenses (51.2%)
Rental and Other Income (6.5%)
Depreciation (4.1%)
In-Kind Grant - Germany (8.4%)
General and Administrative (11.3%)
Monetary Grant - Germany (1%)
Rent and Facilities (20.1%)
Fundraising and Donations (3.5%)
Tuition Assistance -
After School and Student Enrichment (6.6%)
Rebates, Discounts, Financial Aid (7.6%) Fundraising Expenses (1.1%) After School and Student Enrichment (4.6%)
$23,978,092
Revenue Budget 2026/27
$24,914,230
Expenses Budget 2026/27
Tuition and Fees (75.5%)
Instructional and Teaching Expenses (52.5%)
Rental and Other Income (5.6%)
Depreciation (4.4%)
In-Kind Grant - Germany (9.1%)
General and Administrative (13.1%)
Monetary Grant - Germany (0.8%)
Rent and Facilities (16.2%)
Fundraising and Donations (2.9%)
Tuition Assistance -
After School and Student Enrichment (6.1%)
Rebates, Discounts, Financial Aid (7.9%) Fundraising Expenses (1.1%) After School and Student Enrichment (4.8%)
Fundraising To our donors and sponsors, and to the parents, faculty, staff, and students who gave their time to our 2025/26 fundraising efforts, thank you. Your generosity and commitment have made a lasting difference at GISSV, and we are deeply grateful for all you have done.
$450K
$611K
SPONSOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT 2025 Gold-Level Sponsor
$161K
Holiday Market
Annual Fund
Subtotal
A record-breaking year: This year we surpassed our Annual Fund goal by a wide margin, raising $450,000, the best result in GISSV’s history. Together with a successful German Holiday Market, fundraising proceeds reached $611,000, making 2025/26 our strongest year yet. These results allow us to invest directly in the people who bring GISSV to life. This year, we supported our faculty and staff through 121 year-end bonuses, 20 housing stipends for eligible recipients, and increased relocation assistance, all concrete steps toward attracting and retaining the exceptional team shaping our students’ success.
2025 Silver-Level Sponsor
2025 Bronze-Level Sponsor
Board President Shamala Hinrichsen signing GISSV’s new MV lease on May 7, 2026.
Rooted and Rising Our silver jubilee behind us, an open horizon ahead: where is GISSV going from here?
Dedicated leadership teams on both campuses have strengthened local decision-making and responsiveness, allowing each campus to reflect its unique student population, stage of growth, and local context while sharing a unified educational vision. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have become an engine of improvement, driving progress on school culture, language development, inclusion, and facilities.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IN MOTION Launched in the 2025/26 academic year, our five-pillar strategic plan anchors GISSV’s vision and commitments through 2030. Thanks to the energy and effort of many within our school community, we are already seeing meaningful results:
A new long-term lease secures our Mountain View campus home through 2056, clearing the way to invest decisively there while sustaining essential upkeep in San Francisco, with $1.3M approved across both campuses for 2026/27.
Each of these alone is an achievement. Together, they are momentum.
Setting Our Course As we settle into the new school year, we do so with gratitude for how far we’ve come and excitement for what lies ahead. We now turn our attention to shaping the next twenty-five years of GISSV. Our focus this year is clear:
Supporting our Head of School
Advancing our Strategic Plan
These commitments will guide the board’s work this year and beyond, ensuring GISSV continues to thrive as a place of excellence, belonging, and opportunity. With your continued support and partnership, we move forward rooted in our mission and in one another. None of this would be possible without you: the students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni who make GISSV what it is. As the work evolves, we look forward to sharing our progress, hearing your ideas, and marking each milestone together.
Deepening our Roots and Culture
To reach the GISSV Board of Directors with feedback or questions, please write to: board-communications@gissv.org