Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (Swiss School in Dubai)

• Location: Dubai, UAE
• The age of the students: 11-18 years
• Total number of students: 1475
• Type of accommodation: residence (boarding house)
• Type of study: mixed.

Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) is a private international co-educational school that teaches boys and girls from 3 to 18 years of age (full educational cycle). From 3 to 11 years, students are available a full-time form of education, from 11 years they can live on board terms - today the number of boarders is 350 people. 

The Swiss boarding school is distinguished by its incredible international composition - representatives from more than 60 countries are studying at the school, most of the students come from:

• Russia
• USA
• France
• Switzerland
• Great Britain
• Canada
• Germany.

The curriculum is also varied and the national composition of teachers: all together it forms a benevolent, warm and friendly atmosphere in the school.

A special pedagogical approach was developed at the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai, which the educators call BEST - an abbreviation that embodies all the basic principles of the institution:

• B - Bilingual (our students will also speak, read and write in French or German and Arabic. As global citizens we appreciate diversity, treating all languages and cultures with equal respect).
• E - Excellence (the school corresponds to the highest modern world educational standards: high school is encouraged among students the desire for research, critical and creative thinking, achievement and overcoming of its limits)
• S - Sustainability (sustainable development requires special attention to environmental protection - active use of energy-saving technologies, ecological purity of the campus, saving of non-renewable natural resources)
• T - Together (the international community of different people united by one goal, active participation in joint activities of the school, teamwork).

Today, about 650 people study at the school, and this number is constantly growing along with the campus and the level of its modernization - in the future the school plans to accept up to 2,400 students. The ratio of teachers and students is 1: 7 - this is a very high indicator, giving each teacher the opportunity to give each student a maximum of personal attention, to practice an individual approach.

Children are constantly looked after not only by teachers, but also by educators: the security of children is guaranteed 24/7 in the educational building, throughout the territory, and in residences. Regularly conducted tests of academic performance, and parents receive a full report on the successes of their child in the academic, creative, sports field, recommendations for his further education and development.

Much attention is paid to vocational guidance of future graduates: specialists give consultations in English, German and French. Such a variety of options helps children to assimilate working differences between different countries, to clarify the specifics of requirements and admission to universities in the countries of the world. The vocational guidance course starts in grade 9 and continues until the student's graduation.

As already mentioned, the SISD school is bilingual - in the curriculum there are several language options, among which students can choose the most convenient for themselves:

• English +

The main program is taught entirely in English, but lessons in other languages ​​(French / German) are mandatory and are included in the daily curriculum. Up to grade 9 is also required to study Arabic (6 lessons weekly), in addition you can attend lessons of Spanish, Italian or Chinese (Mandarin) as electives.

• Bilingual course: English + French / English + German

Studying is conducted in two languages ​​at once. The students of junior classes take a week in one language, a week - on the other. Students of middle and senior classes already share specialties - some attend English, and some in French or German. The native speakers of the chosen language are working with the children, supporting linguistic lessons are conducted. Arabic up to grade 9 is also compulsory for study (6 lessons per week). Please note that in order to enroll in this course, you need to confirm high knowledge: the level of knowledge of one language should be fluent, the second one is at a level above the average.

Alison Roberts

Head of Marketing and Admissions at Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD)

Why do parents choose Dubai primary and secondary schools for their children?

The quality of education is one of the reasons families choose Dubai. With a plethora of international schools, offering all curriculums and positioned across all fee price points, there is something for everyone. A significant number of families are moving to Dubai, and the city is booming. Schools are seeing an exponential growth and it is a very exciting time to be in education. The level of education across the city is exceptionally high and the school regulator ensures that all schools are achieving excellent standards of education across all measures.

For students wishing to live in a boarding school the doors of cozy comfortable residences open: SISD is the only educational institution in its region offering accommodation for students of IB courses.

The residences are designed for students from 11 up to 18 years: each room is equipped with everything necessary - it's free access to Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a place for study (desk, bookshelves), bathroom. All students have their own bedroom (with ensuite bathroom). In free access to the houses are spacious, comfortable living rooms, where students can get together and chat after the lessons.

You can choose a full board, flexible (at the parents' discretion) or partial (only on weekdays). If the student's family or guardians permanently live on the territory of the country, the pupils can go to them on the weekend (with the official permission of the parents).

There is a boarding school for pupils. In 2016, the dining school received a special Happy Healthy School award from the Department of Education in Dubai (KHDA). The school has an organic garden: plants are taken care of by the schoolchildren, and the fruits come to the tables as they mature. As the main supplier of products is the well-known company Bloom Catering: students are offered a varied, tasty and balanced diet, including a large number of fresh vegetables, fruits and vegetarian dishes.

Subject list: Art, design, extended essay, healthy lifestyle, human and society, literature, maths, Natural science, social sciencies, sports science

Sport is one of the main priorities in the development of children - pupils have the opportunity to practice in various sections, represent the school at competitions of different levels, participate in the sports days. Among the most popular and developed sports on campus are the following:

• Tennis
• Yoga
• Swimming
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Cross country
• Football.

A variety of clubs on the regular basis work on the campus - some of them are conducted by the school teachers (they are free of charge), some by invited specialists. You can attend 2 electives or studios weekly:

• Adventures
• Beach holidays
• Desert Safaris
• Joint film screenings
• Horseback riding
• Hiking tours
• Visits to theme parks and amusement parks
• Travel to the water parks
• Sailing regattas
• Karting
• Golf tournaments and much, much more.

Classes with incoming specialists are paid separately - you can specify the cost of each elective from your manager (the number of these studios is not limited):

• Drama and Theater
• Spanish as a foreign language
• Rhythmic gymnastics
• Les Mills
• Dramatic art in French
• Chess
• Club "Extraordinary children"
• The club "Born to move! "
• Digital Photography
• Natural Sciences
• Journalism
• Modern Media Technologies
• The Art of Arabic Calligraphy
• The World Scientists Club
• Mathematics
• English
• Arabic
• Concert Group
• The club of the Italian language.

This is the only school in Dubai located on the territory of the free economic zone of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC): it was founded in 2002 and specializes in public health and medicine. In DHCC territory (only about 4 square kilometers) there are hundreds of advanced clinics and hospitals, diagnostic centers and rehabilitation centers. DHCC and the Dubai school campus are located in Bur Dubai, the central district of Dubai: just 4 kilometers separate the territory from a major international airport. Within walking distance is the hospital Rashid, the beautiful Crixade Park, the picturesque Dubai Cove, the huge shopping and entertainment center Deira City Center Mall.

The campus of the school is huge - its area reaches 1,000 square meters. Its design and infrastructure were developed by the best architects of the renowned bureau U + A. The campus is awarded a special Minergie Label award (Swiss certificate of environmental friendliness and energy efficiency): for example, the amount of electricity consumed here is 3 times less than in similar sized buildings.

Bright and spacious audiences equipped with air conditioning and heating are prepared for students. There are lecture classrooms in large groups, there are small classrooms for small academic groups, separate audiences for independent work and the preparation of high school students. Free access to an extensive library is provided: a reading room, a variety of electronic and printed sources, periodicals, educational literature and manuals in several languages.

There are modern scientific and practical laboratories, special workshops for working with textiles, laboratory of graphic design (with the ability to work with CAD and CAM technologies) for practical classes and experiments (constantly conducted in the subjects of the natural-science profile). There are various facilities with equipment for extra-curricular and elective classes:

• Cooking Technology and Forge
• Material Resistance Laboratory
• Live Museum
• Radio Station
• Sound Recording Studio with Advanced Equipment
• Photostudio
• TV studio
• Firing furnace and etc.

There is a large assembly hall for 550 seats for common gatherings and leisure activities. Modern equipment (light, music, video, technology of stage service) allow you to conduct a variety of performances, plays and productions here. There is a surround sound technology, a cinematic projector, pull-out seats and even an experimental model of the "Black Box" theater.

On the territory there is an innovative media center, music studios with the most modern equipment.

There is also an excellent sports infrastructure - there is everything that can be needed for sports and outdoor activities:

• Olympic standard pool (covered, length of tracks - 50 meters)
• Fields for rugby
• Football fields
• Treadmills
• Track and field athletics tracks
• Basketball courts
• Tennis courts
• Dance studios
• Professional climbing wall
• Gymnasium
• Sports and training halls

The proximity to the water of Dubai Creek Bay allows you to develop a variety of water sports: all opportunities for rowing (in kayaks), sailing, swimming and diving are already organized.

Medical offices with qualified experienced nurses are constantly working on the territory: regular preventive medical examinations (including dentistry) are planned, lectures on valeology (health science), rules of proper nutrition and healthy HLS are conducted. Weekly the school is visited by the expert of the highest world level from the nearby Mediclinic City Hospital (a member of the world organization Mediclinic International).

The following components are paid additionally:

• Registration fee
• Academic deposit
• English Language Courses for foreign students (EFL)
• Compulsory Medical Insurance
• Roundtrips
• Transfer in both directions
• Personal pocket expenses
• Visa fees and services.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 13650 USD
• Deposit for a course/programme 2725 USD

The school works on inclusive philosophical principles: children of any nationality, social origin can learn here. When a new student arrives, his academic performance, level of a foreign language, age, desired goals and objectives of studying are taken into account. All applicants undergo a personal interview and preliminary testing: an introductory test helps to determine the level of knowledge and to make it clear which group the child will study and whether he needs additional support classes.

It is best, of course, to arrive at the beginning of the new academic year, but if there are vacant places to join the students can be throughout the academic year.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision