Swiss International School Dubai (SISD) is a unique IB, bilingual boarding school based in the heart of Dubai. We are very proud of our diverse, international and very multi-cultural approach to boarding; we currently have nearly 100 boarders, boys and girls, and have grown 100% over the last 2 years. The school has over 100 nationalities of students, and we offer a bilingual or an English education. Boarding is available on a full, weekly or flexi basis.
Bespoke facilities
Our facilities and campus are world-class, and some of the best in the Middle East. Our purpose-built boarding houses are situated on campus, and students either have individual or shared bedrooms and all have ensuite bathrooms. We have pantries on each floor of the house, and students are permitted to make their own snacks and drinks. For the older students, they also have access to a cooker, and a washing machine for the development of these very important life skills!
Boarding activities
Boarding is fun and exciting at SISD – during the evenings, students are supported with the academic studies by a number of academic tutors, and our boarding staff organize 3 sports activities every day for students to enjoy during their leisure time. Weekends are packed with organized trips around Dubai to theme parks, water parks, beaches, malls, cultural experiences, culinary classes, golf lessons and the arts experiences. The evenings are full of laughter and social activity, as our students enjoy movie nights, BBQs and quiz nights. Sundays are often relaxing days, and after a late buffet breakfast, students have chance to rest, play and enjoy the onsite leisure facilities.
Pastoral care
From a pastoral perspective, every student has their own specific boarding tutor who is responsible for their general welfare, happiness, mental health and wellbeing. These boarding tutors update parents and guardians regularly, and act as the intermediaries between the academic teams and the boarding teams. Parents are encouraged to visit the students, and to take them out at the weekends if they are in Dubai – maintaining a close parent / student relationship is one of our missions! Our secondary counsellor joins us for dedicated boarding counselling sessions, offered in three different languages. There is also a dedicated boarding nurse who attends to the medical needs of the students.
Safeguarding focus
Safeguarding is a high priority in our boarding houses, with all staff safeguarding trained. Risk assessments are in place for all events and activities. Fire safety training, water safety training and first aid training is completed with all boarding staff upon joining the boarding team. Security night managers are based in the houses overnight to ensure there is 24 hour security for the students. We engage in safer recruiter practices, ensuring that all staff members have required police checks and have a comprehensive SCR.
Student agency and leadership
Student voice and agency is key, with our boarding student leaders and ambassadors playing a significant leadership role, not only within the boarding house, but also within the school environment. They have the opportunity to support new and prospective families with school tours, plan house activities, shape the boarding house rules, and share their own experiences within the boarding school to the other students at school. They also provide significant input into the menus, trips and general running of the houses.
As a new school, opened in 2017, and a boarding environment that has only been open since just pre covid, we are very proud of our achievements, and the school was recently ranked as one of the Top 100 schools in the world by Spears Index and Carfax Education.
