International Schools Directory

German Swiss International School (Deutsch-Schweizerische Internationale Schule) was established in 1969 as the first international school for German-speaking expatriates in Hong Kong, but serves both local families as well. It is split into two streams, a larger English Stream and a smaller German Stream. Over the years, it has a reputation for high academic results. Built on land provided by the Hong Kong government. It had 73 students in its opening year, but now has more than 1,200 students from over 30 different countries. GSIS is composed of four schools - a kindergarten, a primary school, a secondary school and a Berufsschule (vocational training school). The kindergarten, primary and secondary schools are separated into two 'streams', the German- and the English-speaking streams. The German stream students follow the German education system, taking the Abitur (German equivalent of the A-Level) in their final year. The English stream students follow the British system, including IGCSEs and A-levels. The English Stream currently follows the British Curriculum. Students take their GCSEs/IGCSEs at the end of Year 11, their AS-Levels at the end of Year 12, and their A-Levels at the end of Year 13. From Year 9 and onwards, German and Mathematics are divided into ability groups. The top group or sometimes two may take their exams early. Some candidates are entered for German GCSE and Chinese GCSE in Year 9, and Mathematics IGCSE in Year 10. Students may also opt to take their French GCSEs in Year 10. German is a major part of the students' education at GSIS, and is a compulsory subject until the end of Year 11, at the end of which the students must sit the GCSE German examination. Mathematics, German, English Language and English Literature are also compulsory GCSE subjects. There are no compulsory AS- or A-Level subjects. The German Stream follows the German Curriculum, and the German stream students are obliged to sit the Abitur exams. Facilities include a school solar panel that heats up the 25-meter swimming pool, two libraries, projector and an ActivBoard, computer, a DVD/VCR player, a cassette recorder and an iPod player in each classroom; some classrooms are also fitted with a scanner. The school also has 3 computer labs, which contain 50 computers each all with internet access. All students and staff have barcoded identification cards, allowing easy borrowing of textbooks and library books throughout the year. These staff and student cards can also be used as a 'smartcard' to pay for food bought from the school cafeteria, currently managed by the catering company Sodexho.