REVIEW OF German International School Toronto BY parent, Margarita Dejak

(5) Student Experience

We have five children enrolled at the German International School Toronto. They all started without any knowledge of the German language or any connection to Germany. Like many other families in Toronto, we were concerned about the quality of education provided in local public schools and chose GIST as an alternative. We were welcomed into the school community and felt that the school provided a nurturing and stimulating environment for our children. Our eldest daughter started in Grade 3 and received extra help and support with her German during her first year at GIST, while all the other children started in JK and transitioned into the elementary school seamlessly. All of our children were supported in their process of language acquisition through participation in the GermanPlus program introduced a few years later. Along with EnglishPlus, FrenchPlus and MathPlus, the goal of this initiative is to provide individually tailored support to children depending on their needs. What I love about GIST is that some children are learning English, others are new to German, and some are learning both! Not to mention French! The school environment is always very supportive, inclusive and learning a language is the norm! So no child ever stands out or feels left out because of their language ability. It is also important to mention that all teachers speak English, and school communications are always written in both German and English, so parents are never left out either.

Why German International School Toronto?

Having considered several other private schools, we felt that GIST provided clear advantages over other private schools. Small class sizes and teachers supported by multiple interns mean that our children would receive individual attention. However, what truly sets GIST apart from other private schools is the incorporation of the academically rigorous German curriculum. This was of fundamental importance to us, and not something readily available in other private schools, which generally follow the Ontario curriculum. The elementary school offers a deeper focus on the basics in math (number sense, addition, multiplication, etc), proper handwriting techniques and grammar basics are developed side by side in German and English. Light but regular homework helps solidify those key concepts. The Gymnasium (German high school) begins in Grade 5, offering a variety of additional subjects to the basics, including biology, history, geography, etc. Finally, and arguably most importantly, the high school offers the IB Diploma along with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma - opening up a world of opportunities for students. Universities favour the IB Diploma, which is an important factor in today's competitive university admission climate.

Expectations vs. Reality

We had an open mind when we enrolled our children at GIST. Aside from hoping they would like the school and transition smoothly, we expected a strong academic focus. Our eldest daughter has just started her IB studies, and we feel she was well prepared and ready to face the new academic challenges.

Your Advice

I heard a few English-speaking parents interested in GIST express concern about not being able to assist their children with homework or communicate with teachers. As someone who has gone through eight years of homework in every grade, I would like to assure you that this will not be an issue. Homework in the first grades focuses on the basics: practising writing letters, adding numbers, etc. The tasks are self-explanatory and easy to follow. As mentioned before, all teachers speak English and gladly support children from non-German-speaking households. The aftercare program also provides help with homework assignments after regular school hours.

(5) School Leadership

The school leadership and administration form a dedicated team of hardworking individuals. Always friendly to parents and to students, and always happy to help. They are easily reachable by phone and respond promptly to emails, available for a quick chat in the hallway or one-on-one meetings for longer discussions. Issues are addressed in a timely manner. The director of the school is also actively involved in day-to-day school and student life. From teaching classes to taking turns with other teachers greeting children in the morning at the door, he is readily available for meetings with parents if issues arise. Having his own children enrolled in the school demonstrates his commitment to the school and highlights the genuine motivation behind his hard work.

(5) Teaching

The teachers at GIST are knowledgeable and friendly. Some are local, English-speaking teachers, and others come from Germany to teach at GIST on a contract basis. They enrich school life with their unique backgrounds, experiences, and strengths. They are globally minded individuals who bring excitement and passion for the unique opportunity to teach abroad in Canada. Small class sizes allow teachers to really get to know each student and to be able to provide a lot of one-on-one attention in class. If a child needs some extra help outside class, the teacher reaches out to parents, recommending enrollment in the GermanPlus, MathPlus, or EnglishPlus programs or arranging alternative support. Tests and quizzes also provide feedback to both parents and students about their progress in class.

(5) Academics

GIST follows a combination of the German and Ontario curricula, resulting in a rigorous and enriched academic program. As mentioned previously, the elementary school focuses primarily on developing the basics: reading, writing, and math, with additional subjects such as IT, ethics, music, etc, playing a supporting role. Screen time during the school day is minimal, mainly in IT class, and homework is assigned in workbooks and worksheets. For those who are interested, additional practice exercises are available on the Anton app. The German high school (Gymnasium) begins in Grade 5, introducing students to a variety of new subjects, such as history, geography, biology, etc. This is also the time when students begin to use devices more often, but in a regulated way. Classes are now taught by subject teachers. And finally, in Grade 11, students begin the challenging IB curriculum, taught in both English and German, building and expanding on the foundations learned in previous years.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

Extracurricular programs take place after school hours and are organized through clubs that students can register for. The clubs vary year by year, but some of the popular ones include dance club, cooking club, soccer club… My children have their own extracurricular activities, outside school, so my familiarity is limited to discussions with other parents. I do hear that children enjoy participating in the after-school clubs, often enrolling in several at a time.

(5) Students

The student body at GIST is a vibrant mix of local children and those from expat families, who attend GIST to provide continuity upon returning to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, etc. Even though most local families have at least one German-speaking parent, there are also families like ours with no relation to Germany or the German language. New students are welcomed regularly into the school, coming from various places around the world and contributing to the unique global feel of the school. Students, teachers and administration are very fluent at accepting them into the school community. I feel that meeting new people is such an important life skill and is often so challenging for young people to develop, so I see these experiences as invaluable for our children.

(5) School Life

The school life at GIST has a nice rhythm of work and fun. While there is a strong focus on academic development, there are plenty of opportunities to build fun memories. The school administration organizes regular, fun-filled field trips throughout the school year. Elementary students start the year with the annual three-day trip to Camp Pinecrest in Muskoka. Various local field trips are sprinkled throughout the year including outings to High Park, Treetop Trekking, Young People's Theatre, the TSO, the ROM, Ripley’s Aquarium, and many more. It’s also worth mentioning the various educational outings students have a chance to participate in throughout the school year, including trips to the UofT Laboratory, Goethe Institute and even the German Consulate. The annual ski trip later in winter is enjoyed by the whole school. There are many more wonderful celebrations that children look forward to, including the Halloween potluck, Lantern Parade, Christmas Bazaar and many many more.

(5) Community

The school community is welcoming and friendly. From parking lot chats and playground playdates to birthday parties and parents’ nights out, there is no shortage of opportunities to connect and hang out with other parents. Not to mention the numerous events organized by the Parent Council, such as uniform and bake sales, and the much-loved and highly anticipated Christmas Bazaar. The administration also supports and encourages parent communication, providing plenty of opportunities to meet other families as well as teachers and staff. The school year kicks off with the welcome picnic and concludes with the spring picnic - fun-filled outdoor gatherings where parents chat and connect with other parents and staff, while the children run around and have fun. Reaching out to other parents is easy via parent contact lists shared by the school and grade-specific WhatsApp chat groups set up by Parent Council representatives. Getting involved in school life as a parent is easy and always welcome.

(4) School Location

The school is located in Etobicoke, close to Islington subway station, occupying part of a church building. The building is situated in a safe, predominantly residential neighbourhood and is readily accessible by public transit, allowing older students to commute to and from school independently. For those who drive, parking is available in front of the school entrance for drop-offs and pick-ups. Several parks are located within walking distance from the school, allowing children to enjoy short and fun excursions when the weather permits.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process was straightforward and simple, and it’s nicely summarized and outlined on the school website. There are no stressful interviews or tests to pass - just a few administrative steps. If you are interested in the school, I highly recommend arranging a visit for you and your child. You can tour the school to get a real feel for the atmosphere, meet the homeroom teacher and even take advantage of a trial day! If you would like to connect with another parent from the school for a different perspective, the administration can put you in touch with one of the family ambassadors, who will be happy to share their unique experience with GIST.