Twin Cities German Immersion Charter School

This school has a wonderful community, small classes, and a devoted staff. Our kindergartener is picking up German quickly even though we are not speakers at home. There are two adults, including one native speaker in every classroom. The classes are generally not over 25 students. The music program is very creative, and the after school programs have a lot of interesting variety. The kids get plenty of recess and have regular gym class. They also start learning Spanish in 5th grade. Parental involvement is exceptionally high.
—Submitted by a parent

All 4 of our children attend here, and we have been with TCGIS for 7 years. We have enjoyed volunteering in different programs that are a part of the School & PTO. I continue to be amazed when I hear my children speaking and singing in German, since we do not speak it at home. German is spoken in School throughout the school day. In third grade English class is introduced. Our oldest has been learning Spanish since 5th Grade, in addition to German and English--something we just couldn't find in our local public schools. We have hosted a couple of the German-speaking interns in our home. This came in handy for explaining homework in German, and it was interesting and fun getting to know them & about various aspects of German life and schooling directly from a German native! We are excited about the School moving to the Como neighborhood this next school year (2013-14.) There will be outdoor play space and larger auditorium/multipurpose spaces that have been lacking in our current building. The School has great leadership and caring teachers. 1 Con: There tends to be more teacher turnover than public schools due to the nature of having some native Germans who eventually return home.
—Submitted by a parent

Great balance of keeping kids interested in learning and academics. Our Kindergartener is thriving despite having no German roots or ties. By having him think in another way (ie German) during the day, he is being challenged and his mind is more flexible and creative. The teachers are supportive, caring, and have performed beyond my expectations. My kid came home one day telling me about balloons and how they change shape when weather changes (ie ideal GAS law concept!) or how he can make a "battery from a lemon!". We love conceptual based learning, and so far so good! The community at the school is also very supportive. Parents are very involved and truly care about the school and making it excel. My son is eager to go to school because it is "fun." He learns, uses his imagination, and plays whether it is during Sport/gym ("parachute game"), music class (exploring different instruments, types of music from all over the world, putting on performance at Carnival of Cultures), or learning math concepts in German! We really enjoy the International feel of the school. Great on-site afterschool activities as well (chess, musical instruments, yoga, etc). My boy loves Kinderclub too!.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter will be entering second grade this fall, and can't wait for school to start. Her teachers have been wonderful - they really care about the children. We love the small class sizes, and individual attention she receives. Although German is the language of instruction, the school has a truly global feel, with children learning art and music from around the world. Our daughter has made wonderful friends, who have the nicest parents. We have not yet felt the pressure to buy certain things just to fit in. The kids play imagination games on the playground, along with other fun free play - balls, cones, hula hoops - good 'old fashioned' fun and movement. I'm excited that she will get to learn Spanish starting in fifth grade, too. We'll be sending our younger two children here in a few years, as well. The school is searching for a new permanent principal, so that aspect is currently up in the air, but I have faith that the board will make a good selection to lead this growing school forward, and continue this truly global education for our children.
—Submitted by a parent

This language immersion school has as its mission educating children for global citizenship. In its relatively short existence, the founders, administrators, faculty, staff, parents--and students--are successfully fulfilling that mission. The school is characterized by a rigorous, German-based curriculum; strong leadership; active parent involvement; commitment to the arts and to service; and a lovely community. It is an excellent school that is easy to recommend to prospective parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at TCGIS in 1st grade and is now in 4th grade. She speaks highly of her learning experiences and brags to others about her school. As a parent, and public school teacher myself, her attitude speaks volumes about the success she feels as a learner. She has excelled in learning German, spoken and written, and is a confident learner in English, math, science and arts classes. The small class size as well as teacher and intern in each classroom has been wonderful. TCGIS is a great fit for our daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

TCGIS provides a great learning environment for kids. Our two children are thriving, and impress us with what they are learning, not just concerning the German language. Each and every staff member is devoted and caring. Individual learning styles and personalities are met with respect, and the small class sizes ensure that problem areas are noticed and help is given. The international community is fun and supportive, which makes it easy for us as parents to identify with our kids' school. And that in turn helps our children to give their best.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so pleased and proud to be a part of TCGIS! My daughter loves attending, and misses it on the weekends! I love the small classes, and especially that every class has an intern. The staff is nurturing and supportive. My community school would have been easier, but I know that TCGIS is the best fit for my daughter and family
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled that our son has the opportunity to be challenged academically and learn a second language at the same time. Our kindergartner is already speaking German sentences and shows enthusiasm for exploring other languages as well. The school has a warm environment, created by the teachers, parents and children themselves. At recess time, the kids use their imaginations to come up with ways to play, and my son says he has more fun outside now than when he attended a preschool with 3 full playgrounds at his disposal. The teachers are engaging, parents are involved, class sizes are small and each room has a German intern to assist the teacher. We are very happy with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love our experience at TCGIS! Excellent curriculum, great dedicated teachers and staff, fantastic leadership and unprecedented partent & community involvement. The small class sizes are so suitable for Kindergarteners to feel inclusive and save. We could not have made a better choice.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so pleased with our experience at TCGIS! The sense of community is strong, and the personal attention our child is getting cannot be matched.
—Submitted by a parent

It's the only school in the Twin Cities that let's my son learn in a German environment. Also, it has a great community between the teachers and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! Great curriculum & love the small class sizes.
—Submitted by a parent

We are not German speakers however we value learning another language and culture. The small class sizes and the ability to become bilingual are tremendous benefits. In my opinion, the lack of a playground or gym is the biggest drawback for developing large motor skills and just having time for fun. There are many opportunities to volunteer, which benefits every child and the community. This has been a very good school and I would recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children attending this school and they love it. We lived in Germany before moving to St. Paul and we are thrilled that this school exists. My children are challenged academically and feel very comfortable at this school. The school is growing and sometimes the growing pains are evident but all the staff is caring and want to do what is best for the students. What I really enjoy about the school is the sense of community. There are many different opportunities to get involved and my experience has been not only positive but fun! I really appreciate the small class size and the fact that every classroom has not only the teacher but also an intern from germany. This school is the perfect fit for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is lacking playground facilities, physical education facilities and there is interaction with older children that are present in the school. The school also lacks a well rounded faculty and the student population. I choose to put my child in a different immersion school.
—Submitted by a parent

Sometimes, I can't believe how much I lucked out with finding this public school! My son and daughter are thriving at TCGIS, and are very happy there. As non-German speakers, my husband and I are amazed at their language skills and at their curiosity about the world. Parent involvement at the school is extremely high. As a parent I feel like my concerns are heard and addressed, and more importantly that if there is something about the school that bothers me, I can affect change. My voice makes a difference, which is something we did not find when our oldest went to a typical public school in a large district. What the school lacks in playground equipment, they more than make up for in a challenging curriculum, safe environment, small classroom sizes, wonderful staff, and involved community.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 kids at the school; this is our 3rd year. We are not German speakers and don't have any special connection to Germany, but were drawn by the promise of small classes, an intimate learning environment, and the chance to give our kids the gift of bilingualism--something that can be hard to come by in the U.S. if your family has been here for awhile. We have been very pleased. The school manages to do a great deal on a tight budget. The facility isn't perfect, but the staff is fantastic and we found people to be very welcoming once we realized that you don't have to speak German to be involved. I appreciate all the volunteerism, which benefits every kid, and also like the positivity and energy of the PTO. And the new director is a gift. Sharing the bldg. with a HS hasn't been a problem.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! We are very pleased with the teachers and the director of the school. My child's teacher is incredibly kind, generous with her time, and manages the classroom extremely well. The school follows the Responsive Classroom guidelines, basically the social curriculum is as important as the academic one. I've had a couple of issues that I've taken to the director - she handled them swiftly and fairly. Very impressed with her! Children are occassionally sent another classroom to 'take a break', to help them collect themselves to return to their classroom. This is no different than other schools. I have found the discipline procedures to be incredibly fair, non-punitive, non-shaming, and given as growth opportunities for the children. The school community is open and welcoming. The fact that my child is also learning German is secondary at this excellent school. I highly recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a non-German speaking household with 2 kids who love this school. Our somewhat shy oldest can read, write, and speak German with ease and confidence. Under the guidance of our phenomenal Kindergarten teacher (she's smart, kind, creative, motivating, understands different learning styles, has great classroom management skills...), our youngest is finding her way in what is essentially a foreign country to her. As a parent, I appreciate the multitude of ways to get involved and to be a part of an interesting, international community. I have great confidence in the leadership of the school--a thoughtful Board, an active (and very fun) PTO, and a Director with a vision and an action plan for educating children to be bilingual, informed, active world citizens. It's a newer school with bumps as it grows, but after four years, we know the big package is a great fit for our family.
—Submitted by a parent