Swiss International Scientific School Dubai is a multilingual school that opened in 2015 in Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2, Al Jaddaf, and is one of the few schools in the region authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate continuum across all four programmes from the early years to Grade 12. Its defining feature is genuine bilingual education, with streams that pair English with French or German alongside Arabic provision. It is a distinctive premium entry in the Dubai international schools market and one of a small number to run boarding houses.
This profile sets out the IB programmes and language streams, the fee band, the admissions calendar and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus.
Swiss International Scientific School Dubai at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma and Career related), bilingual English with French or German |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Pre Kindergarten to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18), with boarding from age 11 |
| Founded | Opened 2015 |
| Accreditation | International Baccalaureate authorised across the continuum; regulated by Dubai's KHDA |
| Fee band | Premium tier (see Dubai fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Jaddaf, Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2 |
Curriculum and academics
SISD teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum, from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma and Career related Programme at sixth form. Few schools anywhere are authorised across all of these, and fewer still deliver them bilingually. Each learner follows an English stream paired with French or German, which makes the school a natural fit for francophone and German speaking families as well as those seeking a second language at a high level. Families weighing this route can read our guide to the International Baccalaureate and our explainer on bilingual schooling.
The bilingual model runs deeper than language lessons. Subjects are taught across two languages of instruction, so children build genuine academic literacy in both rather than treating the second language as an add on. The school is regulated by Dubai's KHDA and holds its IB authorisations directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization, the two external benchmarks parents can check.
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Swiss International Scientific School Dubai fees
Swiss International Scientific School Dubai sits in the emirate's premium tier, in line with the other top IB and international schools mapped in our Dubai school fees guide. As a continuum IB school with boarding and a bilingual staffing model, its cost base is high and its day tuition reflects the upper end of the market. Boarding, where taken, is charged separately on top of tuition.
Budget for the costs above headline tuition. The school applies a registration charge that has run into the several thousand dirham range, alongside an application fee, a deposit, transport if required and the usual examination and programme costs in the senior IB years. Sibling discounts have been available. Total cost of place for a premium continuum school runs well above the advertised tuition once these extras and any boarding fee are added.
Admissions and intake
SISD runs an August to June academic year and admits across the IB continuum subject to availability, with Pre Kindergarten and the early years the natural entry points. Because places in the bilingual streams are sought after, families relocating to Dubai should register as early as the published window allows and indicate their preferred language stream at application.
Admission is based on prior school reports, age appropriate assessment and, for the language streams, a view on the child's readiness to work bilingually. Applications are made online and require recent reports, passport and visa documents and, for transfers, a leaving certificate. Boarding applicants complete an additional suitability process with the boarding team.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Al Jaddaf, within Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2, a central waterside district close to the creek, Downtown Dubai and the older heart of the city. The location and the boarding offer give it a wide catchment, drawing francophone, German speaking, European and globally mobile families, many of whom value the genuine bilingual model over a single language international school.
For the wider picture of how the IB, British, American and bilingual schools sit across the emirate, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Dubai schools hub.
Swiss International Scientific School Dubai reviews
No verified parent reviews of Swiss International Scientific School Dubai have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We do not publish a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended SISD, please share your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Swiss International Scientific School Dubai fees?
SISD sits in Dubai's premium tier, in line with the top IB and international schools in our Dubai fees guide. Day tuition reflects the upper end of the market and boarding is charged separately. Budget also for a registration charge, application fee, deposit and transport.
Is Swiss International Scientific School Dubai a good school?
SISD is one of the few schools in the region authorised to teach the full IB continuum, and it does so bilingually with boarding. It is regulated by KHDA and holds its IB authorisations directly. Suitability depends on whether the bilingual IB route and premium fees fit your family.
What curriculum does Swiss International Scientific School Dubai follow?
SISD follows the International Baccalaureate continuum from the Primary Years Programme to the Diploma and Career related Programme, delivered bilingually with English paired with French or German.
When do Swiss International Scientific School Dubai applications open?
SISD runs an August to June year and admits across the continuum subject to availability, with the early years the main entry point. Apply early and state your preferred language stream because bilingual places are sought after.
Does Swiss International Scientific School Dubai offer boarding?
Yes. SISD runs boarding houses from age 11 alongside its day places, with full, weekly and flexible options. Boarding is charged separately from tuition.
