German International School graduates leave with two diplomas, the German International Abitur and a California high school diploma, and their math and physics classes are taught in German. Our tutors are current and former Stanford students who know these subjects deeply and explain them clearly in English.
Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a Stanford tutor who fits.
We tutor German International School (GISSV) students in math, physics, chemistry, biology and English, and help students prepare for exams, including the Abitur. Sessions are one-on-one, at your home or online.
Math and physics in German
GISSV high schoolers take math four periods a week every year, following German state curriculum guidelines alongside California standards, and physics is taught in German too. Exams use no multiple choice, and they test three levels of understanding, the highest called transfer: applying what a student knows to something new. A tutor works through the math and physics in English so the ideas are solid, and practices applying them to unfamiliar problems. Learn more about our math tutoring.
Up to thirteen subjects a year
A GISSV student can take as many as thirteen subjects in a single year, including math, English, German, at least two sciences and at least two social sciences, and in high school biology, chemistry and physics all run every year. A tutor helps a student keep that many subjects organized, plan the week around tests, and give extra time to the one that needs it most. Learn more about our academic coaching.
What parents say
“My daughter went from a C in Algebra II to an A- in one semester. The tutor was great, she really related to my daughter and made learning fun for her. Not only did her grade in math improve, her study habits improved and she’s doing better in all of her classes.”
Eduardo S., San Francisco
“The tutors themselves have been great: well-prepared, thoughtful and on-time. At each level of math needed, we found these Stanford students to be not just helpful tutors but great mentors as well. … This is a first class operation.”
Christy S., Portola Valley
“My son was a senior this year and I reached out to Cardinal Tutors and was lucky enough to find the most amazing tutor. I wish I had found him earlier.”
Sharon C., Los Altos
The Abitur exams
In February of senior year, GISSV students sit written Abitur exams in three subjects, followed by oral exams in two subjects in the late spring, overseen by an official from the German education authorities. A tutor helps a student review math, science or English for the written exams. Learn more about our test preparation.
Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a Stanford tutor who fits.