Willkommen to the German Pacific School San Diego!
- Enrichment Programs -
Sadly, GPSSD closed its doors as a DSD school in 2023.
Are you interested in keeping the German language and culture in our community alive? Please join us for our first networking event on May 29th, 2024. See details below.
about us.
The German Pacific School San Diego (GPSSD) is a non-profit organization that was founded in August of 2013. GPSSD is a language and cultural immersion school open to all students who desire to improve or master their German language skills and enhance their cultural understanding.
GPSSD offers German language classes for native and non-native speakers from age three to adult. Our core program aligns with the requirements set forth by the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA) that is part of Germany’s Federal Office of Administration (BVA).
GPSSD is accredited by the German government to administer all levels of German language exams, including the German Language Diploma (DSD I and II ) which serve as proof of necessary language skills required in order to enroll in college-level courses in Germany (DSD I) and evidence of language proficiency required to attend a German university (DSD II). We also offer classes to prepare for the SAT Subject Test German and the Advanced Placement (AP) German Language Test.
Our school is governed by a dedicated board of directors consisting of educators, parents of students, and community members. GPSSD benefits from the unselfish leadership of our volunteer board members. In 2018, GPSSD stakeholders consisting of board members, principal, teachers, and students achieved accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Our Locations.
See current class schedule for all online and in-person classes that are offered at a respective location.
La Jolla
Classes are held at the
San Diego French American School
6550 Soledad Mountain Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
Clairemont
Classes are held at the
Clairemont Lutheran Church
4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
Our Mission.
The German Pacific School San Diego (GPSSD) is a language and cultural immersion school open to all students K-12 who desire to master the German language, or to enhance their German language skills.
Our Vision.
GPSSD strives to foster global awareness of the traditions and cultural heritage of German speaking countries. The goal is to prepare students to become informed and critically thinking global citizens of the 21st century who are able to communicate inter-culturally.
GPSSD is dedicated to broaden and improve its currently existing language program to the next level of excellency by offering more access throughout San Diego County, resulting in a yearly increase of students mastering higher levels of German education. GPSSD is determined to become the premier educational organization in San Diego County for German language and cultural heritage.
Teachers
Our teachers are native or near native german speakers with love for the language and passion to share it with others.
Growth
From Pre-K through Grade 12 and for adults, we offer early language acquisition and build a strong foundation for growth.
Community
GPSSD is a supportive community of parents, students and teachers. In addition to our regular classes, we offer a variety of cultural events throughout the year.
Our team.
Our School Leadership and Administration.
Christine Johnson
Principal/School Leadership
Annette Persechini
Principal/School Leadership
Birgit Wester
Administration
Our Teachers.
Andrea Palczewski
Teacher
Colette Vogler
Teacher
Kathrin Grosse
Teacher
Katrin Bichler
Teacher
Magdalena 'Magi' Gawlik
Teacher
Raschel Bouajram
Teacher
Vicky Ripart
Teacher
Erin Pfeil
Substitute Teacher
Eva Vallon
Substitute Teacher
Our Board Members.
Peter Teriete, D. Phil.
President
Christine Johnson
Principal/Board Member
Sibylle Hauser
Board Member
Volker Huether
Treasurer
Uli Heine
Board Member
2023-24 Class Information and Registration information
Welcome to GPSSD!
Please read through the following information. Classes with in-person instruction are offered at our La Jolla and Clairemont locations. In addition, a variety of online classes are being offered.
IN-PERSON CLASSES
- GPSSD Covid-19 policies will be enforced at all times to provide a safe learning environment for our students and staff.
- Masks are not required and optional for students and staff to wear when inside the classroom.
- Class size will be limited to allow for student-teacher/student-student interaction and physical distancing as required.
- We will follow all guidelines and rules as set forth by the health authorities as they become public.
- GPSSD does not refund for instruction missed due to student isolation/quarantine. We will do our best to provide online support/instruction for students that can not come to campus due to Covid exposure or illness.
- We reserve the right to move a class session from in-person to online instruction or offer a make up date if a teacher has to isolate/quarantine and can not be on campus.
- Students will be taught remotely live via Zoom video conferencing. Synchronous instruction will be complemented by other learning activities via Google classroom, and other digital tools as appropriate and effective for learning and engagement.
- Online classes are 2hrs in length plus 30min of online office hour/homework help and support each week.
- Class size will be limited to allow for student-teacher and student-student interaction.
- Students will interact, collaborate, and work during class time. If appropriate, students will be using break out rooms.
2023-24 Class Schedule and Tuition
Registration for the school year 2023/24 runs from May 1st, 2023 through June 1st, 2023.
Late registration starting June 2nd, 2023.
First Day of School Year: Saturday, September 9th 2023
(weekday classes begin the week of 9/11/23)
End of School Year Celebration: Saturday, 5/18/24
GPSSD will not reopen for the 2023/24 school year.
1. Tuition and Registration (Please read!)
- Tuition for child classes is for the whole school year (30 class sessions).
- Tuition does include fees for materials, text/-workbooks needed for class work.
- A $200 deposit (towards the tuition) and a non-refundable registration fee of $50/student is due upon registration.
- Non-refundable late registration fee will be $250 after 6/1/23. Register before June 1st!
- Remainder of tuition will be electronically invoiced on July 15, 2023 and has to be fully paid by 8/1/23.
- Late Payment Fee of $200 is applied for final payments made after 8/1/23 (fee per family, non-refundable).
- Exam fees of $50 for the DSD I and $100 for the DSD II in-person exams will be due at the time of exam registration.
- If registering multiple children, a registration form has to be completed for each child individually.
- All classes are subject to minimum and maximum enrollment. We can not guarantee that all classes are offered.
2. How to select your child’s class (Please read!)
- Use your child’s grade level for the 2023-2024 school year to guide you.
- If your child is a returning student, check with your child’s teacher or the recommended progression in their latest report card.
- PreK and Elementary Age Group class selection:
*For children Pre-K (must be 3 yrs old) through grade 5, we only offer in-person instruction. Classes will take place Saturdays from 9AM-12PM in La Jolla (SDFAS Campus). You do NOT need to indicate any class level. We will put the classes together based on language skill level and age. To register, simply select Class ID #1 during the registration process. - General guidelines for the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) levels:
A1 – Beginner (student completes A1.1 and A1.2 before taking A1 exam)
A2 – Elementary (student completes A2.1 and A2.2 before taking A2 exam)
B1 – Intermediate (students working towards DSD I exam taken in 8th grade the earliest)
B2 – Advanced (students working towards AP* exam and DSD II exam)
B2/C1 – Advanced/Mastery (students preparing to take the DSD II exam)*AP is an American High School Exam. Students can enroll in “B2 -Advanced” after completing the DSD I exam, and take the AP exam when ready.
Our AP® German Language and Culture Course content is approved by the college board. - Enrollment in any exam prep class is based on teacher recommendation. For more information see the Exam Progression flow chart.
- If you are new to the school, you/your child will be asked to complete a language skill assessment form.
- Students will be grouped by considering language abilities, age/maturity, grade level, and teacher input. Adjustments will be made as required.
- If you are unsure what class to select, please send us a quick email and we will gladly help! Email: info@gpssd.org
All classes are subject to minimum/maximum enrollment.
Priority consideration will be given to registered students of returning families.
If you have any questions about selecting the right class for your child, please contact us by email at info@gpssd.org. We are happy to assist you!
Referral Reward!
Love learning at the German Pacific School? Spread the word!
Register for a class and refer a friend/new family to GPSSD. Earn a $100 referral reward when your friends also sign up for a class for the upcoming school year 2023/24! (Referred families/students must be new to GPSSD.)
Tell your friends to mention your name during the online registration process to receive your reward!
Withdrawal and Refund Policy 2023/24
In case of withdrawal, notification must be made in writing to the Administration at info@gpssd.org.
Tuition will be refunded as follows. Registration fees, late fees, payment processing fees are not refundable
2023-24 Adult German Classes
Adult class schedule for courses starting in the fall will be posted here in August 2023.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at: info@gpssd.org
Language Proficiency Standards and Exams: CEFR-ACTFL
The two major frameworks for learning, teaching, and assessing foreign language skills are: the U.S. defined scales of proficiency, i.e., the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines/ILR Skill Level Descriptions, and the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). Please see below for details of each framework and how those two systems have been aligned.
1. CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Language).
The self-assessment grid below illustrates the levels of proficiency described in the CEFR. For more information, please follow the source link.
Source: Council of Europe
2. Correspondences ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Levels and CEFR
For more information and to read the complete text of the Assigning CEFR Ratings to ACTFL Assessments follow the source link.
Source: https://www.actfl.org/resources/assigning-cefr-ratings-actfl-assessments
Calendar School Year 2022/23
Registration opens: Saturday, 8/20/22
First Day of School Year: Saturday, September 10th 2022
(weekday classes begin the week of 9/12/22)
End of School Year Celebration: Saturday, 5/20/23
JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
Interested in joining our team?
We are always looking to increase our pool of qualified candidates that could teach or substitute teach.
Qualifications:
- Native or near native oral and written skills in German
- Availability on weekdays late afternoons/evenings and/or Saturday mornings
- Excellent communication skills with students, parents, staff members
- Teaching experience preferred
Please send your resume to info@gpssd.org. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Get in Touch.
Here for you
info@gpssd.org
858-461-9118
German Pacific School
San Diego
4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.,
San Diego, CA 92117