Sunset Elementary School introduced the German International Studies (IS) Program in 1987 — the first such German program offered within a public school system in the United States — with a startup class of 18 students.  Since then, the program has grown to include a student body of approximately 150 children in grades first through fifth.  In addition to German, Sunset also offers IS programs in French and Spanish, as well as an International Education (IE) program.

Sunset’s German IS program provides students with two-and-a-half hours of intensive German instruction daily, taught by teachers who are native German speakers.  As a result, students in the program have an extended school day from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Half of the German instruction time is used to teach German language arts skills, such as grammar and vocabulary, while the other half (referred to as “German Content”)  expands upon these skills through the teaching of literature, science, social studies, history, geography, and music in German.  No English is spoken during the German portion of the day.

Sunset’s German IS program implements the highly regarded curriculum guidelines of the German state of North Rhine-Westfalia.  These rigorous academic guidelines meet all of the objectives and requirements set forth by the Miami-Dade County Public School system.  We are fortunate in that the German government assists us in the purchase of German textbooks and workbooks, and additionally provides us with financial support toward the salaries of our German teachers.

Students enjoy several fun-filled, globally minded events through the year.  In fifth grade, the elementary program has in previous years culminated with a two-week visit to Germany where the children stay with German host families and attend a German school.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  German IS students enrolled at Sunset have priority matriculation into the German IS program at GW Carver Middle School.  However, to ensure they meet the minimum admission requirements for the program, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools District requires that all students submit an application to GW Carver through the regular Magnet Schools application process.