Swiss International Scientific School Dubai celebrates its 10-year milestone, marking a decade in the UAE’s international school landscape
The Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD) is marking its 10th anniversary this academic year — a milestone for the UAE’s first bilingual International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum school.
Founded in 2015 by Swiss entrepreneur Omar Danial, SISD opened with just 235 students and a vision to bring Swiss-style bilingual education to Dubai.
Today, it is home to more than 2,900 students representing over 100 nationalities and is recognised as the largest Swiss school outside Switzerland.
It is also one of only two schools in the UAE to offer a full boarding programme, where students live on campus.
In 2023, SISD became part of Nord Anglia Education, joining a global network of over 80 premium schools and extending its opportunities for international collaboration and exchange.
IB curriculum
SISD is Dubai’s only IB Continuum school, offering bilingual streams in English–French and English–German, as well as an English with STEAM pathway.
Its co-teaching model, with two native-speaking teachers per class in Early Years and Primary, aims to develop both language proficiency and cross-cultural understanding from an early age.
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Principal Ruth Burke said:
“Our tenth anniversary is a celebration of people, passion and purpose — a decade of bilingualism, innovation and community in action. Every achievement, from academic excellence to environmental leadership, reflects our shared belief that education should prepare young people not just for success, but for significance.”
Academic pathways and sustainability
SISD students pursue a range of academic routes, including IB Diploma and Career-related Programmes, as well as BTEC options in Hospitality, Sport and Business & Management.
The Class of 2025 secured over USD 14 million in university scholarships, with graduates going on to study at institutions such as UPenn, UCLA, UCL, LSE, St Andrews, NYU and the University of Sydney.
The school also emphasises sustainability. The solar-powered campus generates around 25% of SISD’s energy needs, offsetting more than 920 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Happy anniversary SISD!
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