Alto’s mission is to provide an outstanding international, multilingual education focused on inquiry-based learning with the goal of fostering confident, creative, respectful and responsible lifelong learners.

Founded in 1988, Alto International School (or the German-American International School as it was then) is an independent, non-profit IB World School and is the only school in the Bay Area that offers the complete IB program to students, preschool to high school. We are also fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). At Alto, students from over 40 nationalities benefit from a truly international experience.

Alto provides a broad and balanced education in an atmosphere that is supportive, encouraging, and based on the principle of respect. Alto promotes excellence in learning and in individual student growth and development. Increased individual attention is a vital component of a quality education, and this is reflected in our low teacher-student ratio and small class sizes. A challenging academic program is supplemented by sports, the arts, after-school clubs, trips, and community service opportunities.

In our preschool, elementary, middle, and high school, all students are encouraged to achieve at the highest level in a happy and friendly environment, with the support and encouragement of outstanding teachers. Our aim is to foster a love of learning by enthusing, engaging and inspiring a generation of critically aware, creative, and knowledgeable global citizens; ready for the challenges and changes that lie ahead.