At SISD, qualified English as Additional Language (EAL), French as Additional Language (FAL) and German as Additional Language (GAL) teachers provide specific English, French and German support from KG1 to Grade 9 to learners who face challenges in accessing curriculum due to language barriers.

• Grades 6-9: English, French and German support in bilingual streams; English support in E+ stream; EAL support program for beginners in English

The Arabic Department offers support classes for Arabic A and Arabic B starting from Grade 1 to Grade 9:

• To students who joined the school with no prior knowledge of Arabic (Arabic A/B)
• To students who need extra support to achieve better results in one or more of the Arabic Language skills (Listening- Speaking- Reading- Writing) 

For details on the organisation of Language Support in Secondary School please download the Language Support Policy.

English as an Additional Language Program (G6-9)
SISD offers a personalised EAL (English as and Additional Language) Programme for new joiners from non-English speaking learning environments in Grades 6-9. Our EAL Programme is designed to substantially improve the student’s English proficiency to fully integrate the academic content of the challenging IB curriculum.

For details on the structure of the EAL Programme at SISD please download this document.

Learners in Grade 6-10 who are not required to attend Islamic Studies can choose to use that time to develop their mother tongue, if other than French, German, English or Arabic.
An external provider offers (at extra cost) 2 sessions of 40 mn / week  of Italian, Spanish and Russian mother tongue lessons. Mandarin available upon request.

To learn more, contact Headway Institute : + 971 4 362 53 13

Latest MYP Results – 2021
Congratulations to our MYP eAssessment graduates on their wonderful achievements for 2021:

• Pass rate : 100%
• Percentage of students above the world average : 65%
• Percentage of students achieving a bilingual certificate : 63%
• Highest score : 52 points
• Average SISD point score – 40
• World Average point score – 36

Latest IB DP Results – 2021
Congratulations to our IB DP graduates on their world-class results for 2021:

• Pass rate : 100%
• Percentage of students above the world average : 85%
• Percentage of students achieving a bilingual certificate : 50%
• Highest score : 42 points
• Average SISD point score – 34
• World Average point score – 32

SISD students are accepted by some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Ensuring that our students are equipped for future success is central to our school life. Our College Counselling Team will guide and support our students as they prepare for life beyond our school. With specialists from English, French and German speaking countries, the counselling team provides structured information and guidance across a range of further education options. In close collaboration with the Head of Secondary School, class teachers and parents, our students begin their preparation at the start of Grade 9, researching courses, universities and entry requirements. They are encouraged to define their goals for the future and challenged to think broadly about their future aspirations. Throughout this process, our counsellors are there to challenge and support decision making and are available to meet with both students and parents.

• IB Admission to International Universities: The IB Diploma is accepted in 75 countries in over 2000 universities. The IBO has a search directory on its website although they advise students to check directly with each university for the recognition policy.
• IB Admission to Swiss Universities: Most Swiss universities require 32 of 42 points (without extra points) and have additional HL subject requirements. ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne require 38 of 42 points (without extra points) and have stringent HL and SL subject requirements. Please check with the respective university for their recognition policy or go to the IBO website for further information.
• Swiss Baccalaureate admission to International Universities: There are two types of Swiss Baccalaureates, the ‘Federal’ as well as ‘Cantonal’. The Federal Swiss Baccalaureate diploma allows students to study at international universities. Please check with the respective university for specific admission requirements.
• Swiss Baccalaureate Admission to Swiss Universities: Holders of a Swiss Baccalaureate do not have to take part in an admission process (except for medical studies) if they wish to study at a Swiss university.
• IB International Recognition: Universities and colleges benefit from recruiting and admitting students from IB programmes in a range of ways, with IB programmes developing the knowledge, skills and disposition students need to be successful throughout their university careers. Every university in the UK now accepts the IB Diploma. IBDP students regularly enter toptier institutions. In the US and Canada, the IBDP and Course Certificates (Higher Level) are increasingly recognised, with many universities conferring credit or advanced placement of up to one year for them. As a result of their time in the IB, students develop: time management skills and a strong sense of self-motivation, a keen interest in civic engagement, notable academic ability, strong research and writing skills, critical thinking abilities and an international outlook. Research suggests, for example, that IB students are more likely than their peers to complete their undergraduate degrees and pursue graduate work; and that they are more likely to be engaged in various aspects of university life. According to the research, IB students are strong on: student leadership activities, working with university faculty on research projects, finding opportunities to study in other countries, tutoring other students , taking part in voluntary and community service and completing internships.

Find our 2021/22 School Profile here.