German International School Dubai

The German International School Dubai is part of the German Ministry of Education network that has over 140 registered German schools. Also known as the Deutsche Internationale Schule Dubai (DISD), the school was founded in 2008. It was rated as an ‘Excellent German School abroad’ by the German Ministry of Interior in the Bund-Lander (Federal Government–Federal States) inspection. The school is located in Academic City and follows the German curriculum. It gives German-speaking students the opportunity to apply for admissions to all grades anytime during the academic year.

The German International School Dubai is a popular German school in the country and is counted amongst the 25 best German schools in the city. In 2011, German International School Dubai was approved by the Kultusministerkonferenz (Ministry of Education in Germany) to prepare pupils for the internationally recognised German school-leaving examination (Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung). The school offers co-ed classes from kindergarten to secondary grades. It gives German nationals preference, especially at the kindergarten level.

• Location: Academic City
• School fees: AED 37,631 - AED 71,094
• Curriculum: Thuringia / German curriculum
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-ed
• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Years offered: Pre-KG- Grade 12

Families residing in the below-mentioned areas can consider sending their kids to German International School.

• Dubai Silicon Oasis
• The Villa
• Nad Al Sheba

People looking for residential options in proximity to the school can consider:

• Apartments for rent near German International School
• Apartments for sale near German International School

Established more than a decade ago, The German International School Dubai was rated as ‘Good’ in 2019 by the KHDA. The private K-12 school was previously located in Al Quoz, and the new, purpose-built campus in Academic City became operational in 2015. Most students are native German speakers.

The campus split equally among three sections is spacious enough to facilitate 950 students who are currently enrolled.

There is a separate building for the kindergarten level, slightly away from the primary and secondary sections. The main building has sports facilities and specialist rooms for music and art.

There is a large canteen and an assembly room. To promote a healthy lifestyle among students and instil sportsmanship, the school has state-of-the-art sports facilities, including a standard football pitch with running tracks and athletics facilities, a swimming pool, a beach volleyball field, a triple sports hall and an outdoor basketball court.

The German International School Dubai is one of the many schools in Academic City. The area is tucked away from the city’s centre, close to the southern outskirts at a short drive from Emirates Road. The campus is in proximity to Zayed University and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University. There are popular residential and commercial districts around the school, including Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), The Villa, Nad Al Sheba and International City. German families living in any of these areas can consider the German International School Dubai for their school going kids.

German International School Dubai was established in 2008 by Al Jagla with the plan to become one of the top German schools in the city. It is an ideal school for German expatriate students. While following the German curriculum (based on the German Federal State of Thuringia), the school also emphasises Arabic and English teachings and follows the MOE guidelines. Enrolled students come from 30 different nations but German students are in majority.

As one of the best German schools in the country, it has also received a ‘Good’ rating from KHDA. The well-planned, well-designed curriculum enables students to achieve academic excellence. The Thuringen curriculum has a strong school-specific approach.

German International School Dubai appeals to German-speaking families. The focus is on developing students’ personalities while working on their social skills. Students are provided opportunities to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills besides a friendly and learning atmosphere that prepare them for the future.

The German International School Dubai follows the German curriculum. For subjects such as Arabic and English, the syllabus is designed according to the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) guidelines. Geography is taught in English from Grade 8 onwards and from Grade 9, History is taught bilingually–in English and German. Arabic is taught as a mandatory subject.

Parents looking to enrol their kids in kindergarten can consider German International School Dubai. Elementary school years include Kindergarten 1 and 2 while primary and secondary classes cover grades until Grade 12.

The core focus is on individual learning especially in pre-school. German is not always the first language for kindergarten students; the school offers German foreign language programs that help students overcome language barriers. The language is taught with a playful approach through supplementary DaF lessons. At German International School Dubai, students are encouraged to discover their interests and use their full potential to achieve academic success.

As stated earlier, the school follows the German curriculum with a little change to meet the learning needs of the student as laid down by the Ministry of Education (MoE). According to KHDA, the school curriculum is Very Good in the KG and Good in other sections. However, the school has incorporated some changes to match it with the diverse learning needs of students.

Kindergarten in German International School

Kindergarten students are allowed to decide the pace and duration of their playtime. Properly planned playtime promotes good social behaviour, motor skills and a friend-making approach in young kids.

Primary School in German International School

Primary school at German International School Dubai links kindergarten and secondary school. Lessons are planned as per the Free State of Thuringia. The Secondary Level (Hauptschule) starts from Level 5 and continues until Level 12.

Grade 5 is the Orientation Level. Like other German schools, the secondary level at DISD is divided into Secondary Level I and Secondary Level II. At the end of Class 10, students take a class examination set by “Kultusministerkonferenz” (KMK–Conference of Ministers of Education). Class 10 is also the entry-level of Secondary Level II.

Secondary School in German International School

The secondary level is further divided into three levels: secondary, secondary modern and grammar school. After passing the Grade 5 exams, a recommendation is given regarding the secondary level that’s the best fit for the student. At the end of class 9, it is possible to move to Grammar School.

In Grade 9, subjects are divided into two streams: Realschule and Gymnasium as per the German secondary school system. The gymnasium is ranked higher and is closer to the English Grammar School system while Realschule is a more technically oriented programme.

Other than German, students learn French and Arabic in Class 6. At the secondary level, students take bilingual exams–in English and German to enrol in international universities. Core subjects in school are Mathematics, English, Social Studies, German, Islamic Studies and Arabic.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) inspects private schools in Dubai based on their facilities and academic results. Schools receive ratings such as Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak and Very Weak. The KHDA focuses on maintaining a high quality of education as well as the happiness and wellbeing of students and educators.

German International School Dubai KHDA rating for the year 2023-2024 is ‘Very Good’.

The academic year at German international School Dubai starts in the last week of August and ends in the last week of June. There are three terms in an academic calendar, with important dates as follows:

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the first week of December. This is followed by a winter break from the second week of December to the last week of December.
• The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the fourth week of March. This is followed by a spring break that ends in the second week of April.
• The third term starts in the third week of April and ends in the last week of June.

The school calendar is subject to change according to local public holidays announced by the UAE authorities. You can view the academic calendar for German International School on the website.

Parents and legal guardians interested in kindergarten admissions can fill the online application form. The admission process is based on the guidelines issued by the KHDA. Those looking for admissions in KG must be at least 3 years of age on 31st December of the school year.

Kindergarten students need not prove their German language skills but one parent should be fluent in German. Children aged above 4 years have to prove they have the required German language skills. For this, a standardised language test is conducted. Those who fail the test have to take a compulsory chargeable language development program to polish their German language skills that starts when the child is 5 years old.

Priority is given to:

• Native German speakers (personal meeting is held to determine fluency in German)
• Students with SEND
• Siblings of already enrolled students.
• Older children are given preference. The admission is offered in the sequence of age and therefore, older children are admitted first.

German-speaking families and parents have a smoother admission process. If seats are unavailable, applicants remain on the waiting list for the respective year. However, a new application must be made for a new school year.

Admission for pre-schoolers in German International School Dubai solely depends on the outcome of the standardised screening process and overall observation of the student. Generally, the admission management meets the parents and sometimes, expert opinions are also taken. They invite parents with children who look older than their age for preschool for a discussion regarding their children’s school career planning.

Class 1 applicants looking to join the primary school in German International School Dubai have to pay a re-registration fee. Parents have to fill out and sign the registration form before submitting it with other necessary documents to the school administration. Students who are already part of the preschool program in DISD have to undergo a screening test in October.

Children who have not previously attended preschool in German International School Dubai are welcomed when the seats are available. These children must be 6 years of age by 31st December to apply for class 1 in primary school.

If the enrolment procedure is followed correctly, the school management will assess the application. However, the German language test is also mandatory in this case. If students fail the test, it is compulsory to take part in the German language support program (as a foreign language).

If students have been studying in other boards or curricula from Grade 2 to 12 and are applying for admission to the school, German International School Dubai will request information from the previously attended school at the time of admission.

All guidelines laid by KHDA are strictly followed by the school. At the time of registration, parents also give their consent to request students’ files from the last school. Upon approval from the school management, parents receive ‘conditional admission.’ The student then has to go through a standardised grading test according to his/her age that determines the knowledge and skills required for the academic subjects such as German, Mathematics and Secondary Level I English.

If students lack the necessary language skills, they must enrol in the German language support programme. Students enrolling until Grade 7 are given more leniency with German-language ability as they can pick up the key concepts easily. For admissions beyond this stage, German language proficiency is mandatory.

The result of the admission test is based on the grading test, reports from the previous school and expert opinions. The result will also determine the grading level of the student and the language programme students are required to enrol in.

Students who achieve far below average results than their age are counted as Special Educational Needs (SEND) candidates. German International School Dubai believes that each student has different intellectual and emotional needs and the school tries its best to support children with underlying learning and behavioural challenges.

The school has an Inclusion Support Team to fulfil the needs of such students and offers a special educational curriculum. This should be agreed on by the parents as it comes at an additional cost.

Parents are expected to be honest in informing the school about their children’s cognitive, emotional and behavioural patterns. For kindergarten students, the parents should duly fill a special questionnaire. This helps the school to provide maximum support and nurture a conducive learning environment. If the school realises that such information was not disclosed at the time of admission, it reserves the right to cancel the admission without the reimbursement of the admission fee. They will only take this decision after a meeting between parents and the school management.

A computerised Admission/Placement test is conducted from Year 2 to Year 10. For primary school (Year 2 to Year 4), a one-hour test is arranged. For the secondary level (Year 5 to Year 10), a 3-hour test is arranged.

For admission to Year 11 onwards, a detailed consultation with the management of Secondary Level II is required rather than the usual computer test. The admission test dates will be updated through an invitation sent from the secretary’s office.

The school is responsible for informing parents about the learning difficulties of their kids and it offers an internal support programme to help the student in this regard. German International School Dubai also emphasises taking help from expert medical personnel with regards to dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism spectrum disorder and other mentally challenging illnesses. In such cases, the school requests the parents to seek expert medical opinion.

If the school finds that a student requires additional support after getting admission, the support programme will be mandatory. The school will discuss each rule with the parents before admission. If parents disagree on any point, the school reserves the right to hold the admission for the respective year. All deadlines and regulations laid by the KHDA are to be strictly followed.

The following documents are required for applying to German International School Dubai:

• Registration form
• Form of Special Needs (if required)
• Copy of the birth certificate
• Copy of passport
• Copy of Emirates ID
• Copies of parents’ passport
• Copies of parents’ Emirates ID
• Proof of custody (if required)
• Copy of previous school’s report of the past three years
• School bus registration form and regulation (if required)

Special school tours are arranged on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, parents are required to request one by emailing info@germanschool.ae. Further details regarding German International School admissions are available on the official school website.

Before seeking admission, parents must ensure that their child follows the age placement guideline provided below.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for schools beginning in September). Source: KHDA

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

Applicants are charged a one-time registration fee of AED 500. It has to be paid right after the registration is approved. At the time of admission, 30% off the annual fee is charged per student.

At the time of enrolling for admission, parents are required to pay a non-recurrent admission fee, within one week of receiving the placement offer. If the payment is not made within the due date, the student will lose the seat.

A special discount is offered to students whose siblings are already studying at German International School Dubai. The third (third eldest) child comes under the sibling discount category.

The school charges an additional fee for the supplementary services it offers such as German as a foreign language programme and afternoon programmes. The charges for such services are to be paid before the commencement of the programme.

There are three modes of payment for school fees:

• Transfer the AED amount into DISD amount
• Cheque
• Cash payment in AED

German International School Dubai's fee structure for the current year is as follows:

Here are other charges for optional services offered by the school:

The other charges are based on the info available in KHDA’s fee fact sheet.

At German International School Dubai, the school has a private initiative to collect sponsorship funds. These funds are collected by employees, parents and the Board.

Parents in need of financial support can apply for these funds either personally at the school or by email at info@germanschool.ae. The allocation of the funds is decided by the Funds Committee. Distribution is made at the Annual Assembly of the school.

German International School Dubai aims to promote healthy eating habits among students. Currently, the school has outsources its catering services to SwissCanonica and offers different meal packages available on their portal. The booking link is always open from the 15th to the 25th of each month.

If you would like to order a lunch afterwards, please contact SwissCanonica directly at canteen-disd@swisscanonica.ae.

Apart from providing complete meals, the canteen also boast a Grab-an-Go counter where students can buy healthy snacks, salads, sandwiches, freshly baked parties and drinks.

German International School Dubai has a bus service and the registration form is available online on the official website.

The bus shuttles through the residential areas where most students reside. All buses provide the pick-up and drop services from the predefined bus stops marked within the residential areas.

Mercedes Benz buses owned by DSID are compliant with RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) Dubai safety guidelines. They are equipped with 3-point safety belts and the drivers are carefully hired and trained. Bus service for an academic year is charged at AED 11,246.

Areas served by the school bus include these:

The school also serves as the venue for Gulf Star Sports Fall Camp for kids aged 3 to 13 years in October. Camp activities include football, dodgeball, martial arts, performing arts, gymnastics and other adventure games.

German International School Dubai is one of the best options for parents looking for a modern school with state-of-the-art sports facilities.

The campus has dedicated a large space for a variety of sports. There is a FIFA standard football pitch with a special running track and other athletic facilities.

A triple sports hall and a swimming pool measuring 25m x 15m are part of the school campus. Students who are into volleyball and basketball can play in the respective sports court within the school premises.

It is crucial for students to engage in some kind of extracurricular activity as it helps with mental and emotional health development. The school offers dance classes for interested students. Parents who would like to enrol their kids in self-defence and other such activities can consider martial arts classes.

All field trips at the German International School are integrated with classroom learning.

Educational and study camps are held for primary and secondary students once every year. Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 are offered these class trips every year. Language trips to Paris and England were arranged for Grades 8 and 1o. However, these language trips are not compulsory.

Apart from these trips, one-day trips are held for different class groups. Past ventures include visits to the Dubai Opera, Wildlife Centre, OliOli and Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque and Centre.

Being socially active, connecting with other kids, managing teamwork and using imagination is important mental development tool.

For incorporating positive attributes in students, DISD gives multiple options to parents and students. They can choose from a wide range of creative after-school activities. All activities are organised and managed by Gulf Star Sports LLC.

Students who are more inclined towards sports can join football, swimming, basketball and athletics team.

Registering for after-school activities is simple and easy. The registration opens for almost two weeks during which parents can view the activity schedule. Registration can be done online through the Gulf Star Website. All After-School Activities are subject to 5% VAT and are based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students who commute through school bus services will automatically be re-booked for the 04:20 pm bus slot. Keeping the needs of different age groups in mind, the school plans different activities for primary and secondary groups. Usually, kindergarten After-School Activities run from 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM while other groups have timings between 2:40 PM to 4:10 PM.

Before choosing and planning ASA for kids, parents should check for mandatory after school lessons that are part of the timetable. Students who need extra academic attention can join Remedial Teaching Club. These clubs are run by qualified school teaching staff and provide extra support to fill the knowledge gaps. Some curriculum complementing classes such as debating, photography, drama classes and student newspaper programmes are also part of the ASA list. These are specially offered at a lower fee.

Music is treated as a subject in DISD and instrumental masterclass is part of the ASA programme. It is planned according to the ABRSM syllabus and students are prepared to appear for external ABRSM exams. The syllabus covers lessons for piano, guitar, drums and violin. To give proper attention to students, only three students are catered at a time for 90 minutes. Only students that are part of the music class are selected for School Music Ensembles.

Activities for kindergartners include:

Students who attend primary school can join Curriculum Complementing Classes such as Mathematics and Spelling club. Remedial Teaching is offered in Arabic Conversation. The creative classes include Drama, German Creative Writing and Robotics and Engineering.

For Music, there is a primary school choir and instrumental classes. A wide range of sports activities is also provided. These include Karate, Mini Ball Games, Swimming and Water Polo, Taekwando, Tennis, Advanced Gymnastics, Athletics, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Ballet and Hip Hop, Judo and Golf.

A more advanced set of after-school activities are offered to secondary school students.

A doctor is part of the medical care team of German International School Dubai. She visits the school every Wednesday.

To ensure the safety and well-being of students, the school has an in-house school nurse who can be contacted in case of any injury or accident. The nurse has 25-years of hands-on experience with additional qualifications in anaesthetics and intensive care. She is also a trained alternative practitioner with training in homoeopathy, auricular acupuncture and nutritional advice.

To maintain an open communication channel, the school has a portal where parents can access information about their children. They also receive newsletters and emails from the school. On the first Tuesday of every month, an interactive workshop – Parent Cafe’ is held.

The school also has a Parent Council that works closely with the school’s administration, teachers and the school board. It has a parent’s representative and a deputy from every class that are elected at the beginning of the year. The parents’ council is divided into three sub councils, namely Kindergarten, Primary School and Secondary.

The school has a Parent’s Notice Board at the main entrance next to the canteen for hassle-free communication. Information is also available on the school website under the news section.

Parents can request the school administration to join grade-specific WhatsApp groups. They can follow the school’s social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube for updates.

• Telephone Number: +971-4-456-2718
• Email: info@germanschool.ae
• General Enquiries: info@germanschool.ae
• Admission Enquiries: info@germanschool.ae
• DISD Website
• DISD Facebook
• DISD Twitter
• DISD Youtube

Please note that the featured cover image belongs to German International School Dubai.

What are the timings of German International School Dubai?

The kindergarten has drop-off time from 07.45 am - 08.30 am and 01.30 pm - 02.15 pm. While the remaining grades start from 07:50 am - 08:35 am and ends at 01:55 pm -02:10 pm. On Fridays the school ends at 12:00 pm.

Does German International School Dubai conduct after-school activities?

The school has designed various extracurricular activities that are held after school hours from 02:10 pm to 04:10 pm.

Is a transport facility available for students participating in after-school activities?

Yes, the school provides transport facility to students staying back after school hours.

How many grades are there in German International School Dubai?

The school offers classes from Pre-KG until Grade 12.

Does the school follow a co-education model?

Yes, the school follows a co-educational model.

How many students are currently studying in German International School Dubai?

There are around 950 students enrolled in the school.

Does the school has any special education programmes or learning plans for students of determination?

DISD offers an inclusive common learning environment that touches upon the different intellectual, social and emotional development needs of a child or pupil. The school offers support for children and pupils with underlying learning disorders and behavioural disorders. 

What is the academic calendar of German International School Dubai?

The school starts in the last week of August and ends in the last week of June.
What is the range of the tuition fee charged by German International School Dubai?

The annual tuition fee ranges from AED 37,631 to AED 71,094.

Does the school offer scholarship programmes to needy and deserving students?

There is a sponsorship fund program to facilitate students coming form low-income background.

How does the school communicate with parents?

There are multiple venues from parents and teachers to communicate, including a Parent Portal, Parent Council, Parent's Notice Board and WhatsApp groups. Parents can also follow the school on various social media outlets to remain updated on new developments.

Does the school have a cafeteria or a canteen on campus?

Yes a cafeteria is available on the campus where SwissConica serves proper meals. Also, students can grab different edible item from a Grab-n-Go counter.

How often does the school arrange field trips?

DISD Dubai arranges several domestic and international trips to provide students with maximum exposure.

How many teachers are currently teaching in German International School Dubai?

As of now, the school has 75 teachers and 19 teacher assistants.