THE GERMAN SCHOOL OF SOUTH FLORIDA

is the only South Florida German language program of its kind, located in Miami. Starting in first grade, the program runs from elementary school through middle school and ends in high school with the prestigious IB diploma.

SUNSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is where the program starts, from first grade through fifth grade. Here students learn the basics of the German language in a highly sought after elementary school with a consistent A+ rating. Here the magnet students are prepared for the challenges at their next step:

G.W. CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL – the only middle school of this kind in Miami, exclusively for language magnet students. Every class at G. W. Carver Middle School is an advanced class and expectations toward students’ performances are at a superior level. Only students adhering to those standards are admitted and allowed to continue their studies at Carver. Students from the Sunset Elementary School language programs have automatic access to Carver Middle School (grades permitting) and continue their studies in the IS (International Studies) program, starting with grade 6 through grade 8. Carver also admits a limited number of students new to the language through a lottery system. Those students start their new language studies in the IE (International Education) program sharing all other classes with their IS counterparts. After 8^th grade, the IS German language program students have the opportunity to continue their studies at

CORAL REEF HIGH SCHOOL:  which is a one-of-a-kind magnet-only high school in Miami, offering the prestigious IB (International Baccalaureate) program to the students who graduated from the Carver IS German language program. Other foreign language students have the opportunity to be admitted through a lottery system. In the German IB program, students can to take the “Sprachdiplom” test and later have the opportunity to study at universities throughout Europe.

GIPA, THE GERMAN INTERNATIONAL PARENT ORGANIZATIONis a non-profit volunteer-run parent organization is in charge of raising and allocating funds as well as working closely with the Miami Dade County School Board and the German Government, ensuring the German Program’s high academic standard and future growth.

GERMAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING: In 2001 GIPA negotiated a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between the German Government and Miami-Dade Public Schools, where both parties state their commitment to the German Program, obtaining funding from the German Government to pay an additional German teacher.

ADDITIONAL GIPA PAID TEACHERS: Through German Government funding and consistent GIPA fundraising activities, GIPA is able to pay additional teachers’ salaries, thus reducing class sizes and improving student learning.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: GIPA organizes and sponsors countless traditional and cultural activities for their students, families and the entire community like the annual Oktoberfest, GIPA Gala, traditional German ‘Schultueten’ and ‘Nikolaus’-stockings, just to mention a few. You will see more about these activities on the following pages.

CLASSROOM RESOURCES: GIPA has consistently provided technology for the German Program classes like VCRs which are compatible with the German TV system, German TV programs and movies, computers, etc. to enhance the students’ ability to obtain information and help them better understand the German culture.

KEEPING OUR PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS INFORMED: GIPA is always trying to reach out to their families through their web site, newsletters and now this yearbook. Every year GIPA holds two General Meetings where everybody is welcome to hear about GIPA’s State of Finances, newest developments in laws and county policies, GIPA activities and leadership and about how to get involved and help make this program better and more successful.