Welcome to the German Pacific School San Diego !
Welcome to the school year 2022/23!
Willkommen zum neuen Schuljahr!
Classes will start on September 10th, 2022.
Registration will open August 20th 2022. Please check back.
We offer German classes to native and non-native speakers, from 4 years old through adults, with a core program for grades K-12. Our school year consists of 30 weeks starting in September through early June the following year. Our instruction schedule follows roughly the holiday schedule of the public schools.
Different language level classes are offered on Saturday mornings, weekday afternoons and weeknights, as well as field trips and camps with a diverse learning focus.
Our classes are offered for in-person instruction at our La Jolla and Clairemont locations. In addition, we are offering a range of online classes if you can not join us in the classroom on campus. Driven by the ongoing corona virus situation, adjustments to in-person classes may be made. Depending on availability, joining during the school year is possible as well.
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 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.
Our team.
Peter Teriete, D. Phil.
President
Christine Johnson
Principal
Uli Heine
Board Member
Sibylle Hauser
Board Member
Volker Huether
Treasurer
Birgit Wester
Administration
Andrea Palczewski
Teacher
Kathrin Grosse
Teacher
Vicky Ripart
Teacher
Raschel Bouajram
Teacher
Magdalena 'Magi' Gawlik
Teacher
Erin Pfeil
Teacher
Colette Vogler
Teacher
Celi Mangione
Teacher
Katrin Traynor
Teacher
Eva Vallon
Teacher
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!
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 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
2022-23 Class Information and Registration for Child and Adult Classes
Note: The class schedule for the school year 2022/23 will be posted here on August 20th! Please check back.
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year at 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 will need to be worn when inside the classroom as well as outside except for eating/drinking.
- 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 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 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.
Note: The class schedule for the school year 2022/23 will be posted here on August 20th! Please check back.
2022-23 Class Schedule and Tuition
Registration opens: Saturday, 8/20/22
First Day of School Year: Saturday, 9/10/2022
(weekday classes begin the week of 9/12/22)
Last Day of School: Saturday, 6/3/23 (End of year Summerfest)
1. Tuition and Registration (Please read!)
- Tuition is for the whole school year except for adult classes.
- A non-refundable registration fee of $30/student is due upon registration.
- Tuition does include fees for materials, text/-workbooks needed for class work.
- Exam fees of $50 for the DSD 1 and DSD 2 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. Selecting your child’s class (Please read!)
- Use your child’s grade level for the 2022-2023 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 PreK (must be 4 yrs old) through grade 5, we only offer in-person instruction. Classes will take place Saturdays from 9AM-12PM in La Jolla (SDFAS Campus). To register, select Class ID #1.
*Children entering 6th grade which are beginner learners, may choose to stay with the elementary-age children for in-person instruction.
*If registering for Saturday morning, you do NOT need to indicate any class level. We will put the classes together based on skill level and age. - 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 1 exam taken in 8th grade the earliest)
B2/C1 – Advanced/Mastery (students working towards DSD 2 exam)
AP is an American High School Exam. Students can enroll in the AP® German Language and Culture Course after completing the DSD 1 exam) - Enrollment in any exam prep class is based on teacher recommendation.
- 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 pick, 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.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy 2022/23
- In case of withdrawal, notification must be made in writing to the Administration at info@gpssd.org.
- No refund of tuition after the 2nd week of classes.
- The $30 registration fee is non-refundable.
If you are interested in joining after the start of the current semester, please contact us by email at info@gpssd.org before registration, so we can confirm that we have a spot in the right class available. Thank you!
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
Note: The class schedule for the school year 2022/23 will be posted here on August 20th! Please check back.
Calendar School Year 2022/23
Registration opens: Saturday, 8/20/22
First Day of School Year: Saturday, 9/10/2022
(weekday classes begin the week of 9/12/22)
Last Day of School: Saturday, 6/3/23 (End of year Summerfest)
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