Silicon Valley International School

Welcome to Silicon Valley International School (INTL), the premier international school on the U.S. West Coast which offers our students:

• Preschool through Grade 5 Immersion Programs - INTL offers Chinese, French, or German (K-5 only; German not available in PS/PK) immersion. All students study in both the chosen program language and English. There is no language competency requirement for those entering into INTL's Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, or Kindergarten. Students applying to Grades 1 - 5 will require a language proficiency assessment test to determine grade level proficiency in the chosen program language. 
• Grades 1 - 4 French Passport Program - For applicants to Grades 1 - 4 who are not proficient in Chinese, French, or German, INTL offers the French Passport Program; an intensive dual language track that integrates new French language learners into INTL's renowned French bilingual program. 
• Middle School or High School (6th - 12th) - INTL offers Chinese, French or German bilingual immersion or, beginning in 6th Grade, INTL's Upper School Language Acquisition Program (USLA) which is for students with no prior bilingual immersion experience in one of INTL's program languages.
  • Students applying to a bilingual program will be assessed for grade level language proficiency as part of the admission process.
  • Students applying to USLA will study beginning French Language Acquisition if entering Grade 6.
  • Students applying to USLA in Grade 9 may also have the option of intermediate Spanish, French, or Chinese (for intermediate level courses, an assessment will be part of the admission process).
• The full continuum of the International Baccalaureate - the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes.  
• Vibrant international community

INTL proudly provides a balanced and progressive inquiry-based education in a supportive, respectful environment while maintaining high expectations for all. Our rigorous academic program is enhanced by a variety of extracurricular offerings in sports, arts, clubs, domestic and international trips, and community service opportunities. We know that the rising generation will need an exceptional academic foundation and intellectual creativity to take on positions of global leadership and address the many challenges facing our world. At INTL, we foster a love of learning in our students who think critically, solve problems creatively, and enthusiastically accept the challenges of global citizenship. 

At INTL, our inquiry-based approach develops graduates who:

• Are fluent in a minimum of two languages
• Contribute a global perspective to current events
• Give back to their communities through volunteerism and community service
• Study the language, history, and arts of diverse cultures
• Are innovative problem solvers and approach problems from multiple perspectives
• Have excellent time management skills
• Extensive research, writing, and real-life experience and connections
• Are well-prepared for the rigor of college-level coursework

At INTL, your child becomes a part of a vibrant international community made of families of more than 40 different nationalities. Students learn and play alongside children from an incredible diversity of language and cultural backgrounds – giving them a truly special school experience only available through a bilingual, international education. In this international environment, students develop cross-cultural understanding, which promotes diversity in thinking and a global perspective - a much-needed ability in the world today. 

We embrace our location in the heart of Silicon Valley to provide our students with an innovative education that supports the development of future-oriented skills. With our computer science curriculum, tech integration, design thinking, and maker-education initiatives, we see innovation as a mindset – honing skills in our students such as creativity, problem-solving, iteration, risk-taking, and flexibility of thinking.

With the spirit of Silicon Valley innovation blended with academic tradition, INTL educates students through a rigorous and collaborative bilingual program, inspiring them to develop an inquisitive and responsible international mindset. At INTL we are committed to being a leader in international bilingual education while providing our students with a transformative educational journey that encourages compassion, independence, action, and gratitude.

Since 1979, we have been known as the leading international school in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley. Until 2020, we were known as the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) and in 2021 we merged with the Alto International School. Located only a few miles from Stanford University, INTL has campuses in Palo Alto and Menlo Park.