Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai
About
Inspection Rating
Very Good-- KHDA
Languages Taught
English, French, German, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin
Phone
Website
Address
Dubai Healthcare City, Phase 2, Al Jaddaf, Dubai, UAE
Programs Offered
15 ProgrammesPre-KG
1 year / pre_k
Early years programme for ages 3-4 within the IB PYP framework. Bilingual co-teaching model available in English/French or English/German streams, or English+ STEAM pathway.
KG1
1 year / pre_k
IB PYP kindergarten for ages 4-5. Pioneering bilingual co-teaching model with two teachers — one English, one French or German — sharing pastoral and academic responsibilities.
KG2
1 year / pre_k
IB PYP kindergarten for ages 5-6. Inquiry-based play learning across seven areas with specialist Arabic, PE, Music, and library instruction.
Grade 1
1 year / primary
IB PYP primary. Bilingual stream alternates core subjects weekly between English and French/German. Inquiry-based transdisciplinary learning.
Grade 2
1 year / primary
IB PYP primary. Continued bilingual immersion with inquiry-based units of study across Language, Maths, Science, and Social Studies.
Grade 3
1 year / primary
IB PYP primary. Deepening subject knowledge through transdisciplinary themes with technology integration and STEAM enrichment.
Tuition Fees 2025/26
All fees in AED per academic year
| Grade | Key Stage | Ages | KHDA Fee | School Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | Early Years | 3-4 | 68,868 | 60,834 |
| KG1 | Early Years | 4-5 | 76,903 | 67,579 |
| KG2 | Early Years | 5-6 | 76,903 | 67,579 |
| Grade 1 | PYP | 6-7 | 91,823 | 78,111 |
| Grade 2 | PYP | 7-8 | 91,823 | 78,111 |
| Grade 3 | PYP | 8-9 | 91,823 | 78,111 |
| Grade 4 | PYP | 9-10 | 91,823 | 78,111 |
| Grade 5 | PYP | 10-11 | 94,692 | 80,477 |
| Grade 6 | MYP | 11-12 | 100,976 | - |
| Grade 7 | MYP | 12-13 | 100,976 | - |
| Grade 8 | MYP | 13-14 | 100,976 | - |
| Grade 9 | MYP | 14-15 | 109,205 | - |
| Grade 10 | MYP | 15-16 | 109,205 | - |
| Grade 11 | DP/CP | 16-17 | 114,268 | - |
| Grade 12 | DP/CP | 17-18 | 114,268 | - |
Fee Calculator
Estimate total annual fees for your family
Bilingual stream (English/French or English/German) fees shown as annual_fee. English+ stream fees shown as discounted_fee where applicable (Pre-KG to Grade 5). From Grade 6 all streams share the same fee. Part of Nord Anglia Education. Tuition includes books, additional Early Years childcare (upon availability), internal after-school activities, and inclusion measures.
Payment Information
Full upfront or two-semester instalments
- Subject to KHDA regulations
- Written notice required for withdrawal
KHDA Rating
2023–2024| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | GoodGood | GoodGood |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | GoodGood |
| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
Source: Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) — January 2024
Curriculum
IB Primary Years Programme Early Years with three language pathways: bilingual English/French, bilingual English/German, or English+ STEAM. Pioneering co-teaching model from KG1 with two teachers sharing responsibility — one English, one French or German. Play-based inquiry learning across the EYFS-aligned framework with specialist Arabic, PE, Music, and Library instruction.
Teaching Approach
IB PYP inquiry-based play learning with bilingual co-teaching model. Two teachers per class in bilingual streams — one communicating in English, the other in French or German. English+ stream offers subjects in English with additional language lessons. Child-led exploration, experimentation, and self-discovery.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
IB Primary Years Programme with transdisciplinary inquiry-based learning. Bilingual streams alternate core subjects weekly between English and French/German. Arabic mandatory with 6 lessons per week (Pre-KG to Grade 4), 5 lessons from Grade 4 onwards. Grade 5 culminates in the PYP Exhibition — a collaborative transdisciplinary inquiry project.
Teaching Approach
IB PYP transdisciplinary inquiry with bilingual immersion. Core subjects taught in English one week and French/German the next in bilingual streams. English+ stream teaches all subjects in English with 3 weekly additional language lessons. STEAM enrichment developed in collaboration with MIT. Mother tongue options available in Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
IB Middle Years Programme with subject-specialist teaching and continued bilingual pathways. Language & Literature, Sciences, and Humanities taught in French or German in bilingual sections. Grade 10 culminates with the MYP Personal Project and e-Assessment. Bilingual MYP Certificate awarded on completion. Swiss Baccalaureate pathway available from Grade 6. Boarding available.
Teaching Approach
IB MYP subject-specialist teaching with criterion-referenced assessment. Bilingual sections study Language & Literature, Sciences, and Humanities in French or German. English+ section studies all subjects in English with language acquisition. Interdisciplinary learning with community service projects. Maximum 24 students per class.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Facilities
Award-winning purpose-built campus in Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2, Al Jaddaf, ranked among the top 150 private schools globally. Features separate Primary/Early Years and Secondary buildings, an Olympic-size swimming pool, 650-seat auditorium, innovation labs developed with MIT, athletics track, boarding houses, and Le Jardin Suisse natural learning garden. 15 new classrooms, a dedicated Art hub, and specialist Arabic learning spaces added in Summer 2024.
Academic
Innovation Labs
High-tech STEAM labs developed in collaboration with MIT for robotics, coding, app development, 3D printing, and product design.
Science Laboratories
Multiple fully equipped science laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology practical work across primary and secondary.
Multilingual Libraries
School libraries with collections in English, French, German, and Arabic supporting the multilingual curriculum and independent research.
Design Technology Rooms
Specialist DT workshops for product design, engineering, and hands-on making alongside the innovation labs.
The Summit — Sixth Form Centre
Dedicated Grade 11-12 study centre and common room for IB Diploma and Career-related Programme students.
Sports & Recreation
Olympic-Size Swimming Pool
Shaded outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool for PE, Speedo Swim Academy training, and recreational swimming including weekends.
Multi-Sports Hall
Large indoor sports hall with elevated running track above for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and indoor athletics.
Athletics Track
Full athletics track for track and field events, AIS Athletics Academy training, and PE lessons.
Outdoor Soccer Fields
Full-size outdoor football pitches for training, inter-school competitions, and recreational play.
Padel Tennis Courts
Dedicated padel tennis courts for one of the school's most popular sports programmes.
Outdoor Climbing Wall
Climbing wall for adventure sports, team building, and outdoor education activities.
Fitness & Aerobics Rooms
Fully equipped gym and aerobics rooms for strength training, fitness classes, and conditioning programmes.
Performance & Arts
650-Seat Auditorium
Large-scale auditorium with professional stage for performances, assemblies, guest speakers, and community events.
Music Rooms & Studios
Dedicated music classrooms and recording facilities for instrumental tuition, ensemble rehearsals, and composition.
Drama & Dance Studios
Specialist studios for drama productions, contemporary dance, ballet, and creative movement classes.
Art Studios
Dedicated art rooms and a new Art hub (opened 2024) for visual arts, photography, and multimedia courses.
Boarding
Boarding Houses
Separate boys' and girls' boarding houses for Grades 6-12. Twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms, daily cleaning and laundry, homework support, and weekend excursions. Full, weekly, and flexi-boarding options.
General
Le Jardin Suisse
Natural learning garden and outdoor sanctuary for environmental education, wellbeing, and outdoor classroom activities.
Parent Café
On-site café for parents and visitors fostering community engagement.
Canteen & Dining
School canteen operated by Swiss Canonica Catering with all-you-can-eat buffet breakfasts, live cooking stations, and Sunday brunch.
Transport
Extracurricular Activities
Staffing & Leadership
Approximately 400 teachers from 25 nationalities. Bilingual co-teaching model with native French and German speaking teachers alongside English-speaking staff.
Senior Leadership
Ruth Burke
Principal
Principal of SISD since 2021 with over three decades of experience in education. Previously served as principal at Jumeirah English Speaking School, GEMS Wellington International School, and Deira International School. Led the school's transition into Nord Anglia Education.
Fiona Ryan
Head of Primary
Leads the Primary section including the IB PYP Early Years and Primary programme across all three language streams.
Paul Gardner
Head of Secondary — Middle School
Leads the Middle School section covering the IB Middle Years Programme from Grades 6 to 10.
Brian Cleary
Head of Secondary — Upper School
Leads the Upper School section overseeing the IB Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme for Grades 11 and 12.