The Early Years programme at SISD has been carefully designed to encourage enquiry-based learning. We follow the programme of the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). Students are fortunate to learn in a multilingual and multicultural environment that provides a wide range of opportunities academically, culturally, socially and physically. Admission to the Early Years bilingual stream is no guarantee for continuation of bilingual in Primary. At any point during a student’s SISD school career a change to English+ STEAM will be discussed if progress reports, language support provisions and teacher feedback recommend this transition to the student’s academic benefit. Details of each programme below. Learn more about Early Years at SISD here. English/French

BILINGUAL

English/German

BILINGUAL

English+STEAM

FRENCH OR GERMAN English / French At SISD, we currently offer two fully immersive bilingual streams: English/French and English/German. We define bilingualism as the regular use of two or more different languages in daily life. Therefore, a bilingual person is able to communicate, think and reflect in (at least) two different languages, even if one of the languages remains dominant. Bilingualism is designed to offer learners the chance to develop international-mindedness, to broaden their skills and capabilities and to acquire the information needed to access other cultures. Teaching and learning across the grades: Pre-KG ​ Native French speaking teacher ​

English TA in the classroom​ KG1 ​ Bilingual co-teaching English/French

2 sessions of Arabic per week ​ KG2​ Bilingual co-teaching English/French

4 sessions of Arabic per week​ English / German At SISD, we currently offer two fully immersive bilingual streams: English/French and English/German. We define bilingualism as the regular use of two or more different languages in daily life. Therefore, a bilingual person is able to communicate, think and reflect in (at least) two different languages, even if one of the languages remains dominant. Bilingualism is designed to offer learners the chance to develop international-mindedness, to broaden their skills and capabilities and to acquire the information needed to access other cultures. Teaching and learning across the grades: Pre-KG ​ Native German speaking teacher ​

English TA in the classroom​​ KG1 ​ Bilingual co-teaching English/German ​

2 sessions of Arabic per week ​ KG2​ Bilingual co-teaching English/German ​

4 sessions of Arabic per week​ English+ STEAM

The programme is built as part of the IB framework and will be continued across Pre-KG to Grade 5. ​ Students will have a dedicated STEAM education focused on design process and thinking.​ 3 educators in the classroom​

5 STEAM lessons per week ​(1 lesson daily)

3 French/German lessons per week by native French and German speakers​. French and German lessons focus on language acquisition and fundamentals of BICS (basic interpersonal communication skills)​ ​Arabic ​ 1 lesson/week in Pre-KG​

2 lessons/week in KG1​

4 lessons/week in KG2

The Primary School at SISD encompasses Grades 1-5. Students in the Primary School follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), a curriculum framework that is learner-centred, enquiry driven, concept-based and transdisciplinary. At any point during a student’s SISD school career a change to English+ STEAM will be discussed if progress reports, language support provisions and teacher feedback recommend this transition to the student’s academic benefit. Learn more about the SISD Primary School here. English / French

BILINGUAL

English / German

BILINGUAL

English+STEAM

FRENCH OR GERMAN English / French At SISD, we currently offer two fully immersive bilingual streams: English/French and English/German. We define bilingualism as the regular use of two or more different languages in daily life. Therefore, a bilingual person is able to communicate, think and reflect in (at least) two different languages, even if one of the languages remains dominant. Bilingualism is designed to offer learners the chance to develop international-mindedness, to broaden their skills and capabilities and to acquire the information needed to access other cultures. Bilingual Grade 1-2 Bilingual co-teaching English/French Core subjects (Language, Maths, Science and Social Studies) taught in both languages​

6 lessons of Arabic (A and B) and 3 sessions of Islamic Studies for Muslims per week (Grade 1 – 3) ​ Bilingual Grade 3-5 One week in English and one week in French Core subjects (Language, Maths, Science and Social Studies) taught in both languages​

5 lessons of Arabic (A and B) and 2 sessions of Islamic studies ​per week (Grade 4 – 5)​ English / German At SISD, we currently offer two fully immersive bilingual streams: English/French and English/German. We define bilingualism as the regular use of two or more different languages in daily life. Therefore, a bilingual person is able to communicate, think and reflect in (at least) two different languages, even if one of the languages remains dominant. Bilingualism is designed to offer learners the chance to develop international-mindedness, to broaden their skills and capabilities and to acquire the information needed to access other cultures. Bilingual Grade 1-2 Bilingual co-teaching English/German Core subjects (Language, Maths, Science and Social Studies) taught in both languages​

6 lessons of Arabic (A and B) and 3 sessions of Islamic Studies for Muslims per week (Grade 1 – 3) ​ Bilingual Grade 3-5 One week in English and one week in German Core subjects (Language, Maths, Science and Social Studies) taught in both languages​

5 lessons of Arabic (A and B) and 2 sessions of Islamic studies ​per week (Grade 4 – 5)​ English+STEAM Our International English+STEAM programme in Primary follows the framework of the IB Primary Years Programme This programme allows students to develop a wider range, wider scope of knowledge in the STEAM areas through project-based learning.​ All subjects are taught in English and learners attend three additional language lessons per week. During these lessons, the qualified additional language teacher communicates systematically in the target language, using an inquiry-driven approach while following a specific language acquisition curriculum. Learners build the communicative language skills and competencies they will use as global citizens. The school’s unique international and multilingual environment provides students with authentic exposure to French, German and Arabic through the daily contact with native speakers. Grade 1 – 5 All subjects are taught in English

3 lessons of French or German per week

4 STEAM lessons/week

Up to 6 lessons of Arabic (A and B) per week (Grade 1 – 3)

Up to 5 lessons of Arabic (A and B) per week (Grade 4 – 5)

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is a holistic programme in that it requires students to develop depth of knowledge across a broad curriculum. The MYP is organised around three main principles: multilingualism, intercultural understanding and holistic learning. The curriculum is organised around building conceptual understanding in a discipline-based model with interdisciplinary units in each year. Students develop academic skills organised into ten skill clusters known as the Approaches to Learning (ATL). The MYP culminates in the new MYP eAssessment suite of onscreen exams and eportfolios for the award of the IB MYP Certificate. The curriculum consists of eight subject groups: Language and Literature

Language Acquisition (or a second Language & Literature subject)

Individuals and Societies

Science

Mathematics

Arts

Physical and Health Education

Design The MYP core comprises three additional components: Interdisciplinary Learning is focused on developing interdisciplinary and critical-thinking skills. The interdisciplinary units involve two or more disciplines working together to explore a topic with more breadth. There is a strong focus on the transfer of knowledge and skills across disciplines to develop deeper conceptual understanding.

is focused on developing interdisciplinary and critical-thinking skills. The interdisciplinary units involve two or more disciplines working together to explore a topic with more breadth. There is a strong focus on the transfer of knowledge and skills across disciplines to develop deeper conceptual understanding. The Community and Personal Projects involve students working collaboratively (Community Project) and independently (Personal Project) on a topic or community need of their own choosing and under supervision completing an investigation related to their own areas of interest and particular talents.

involve students working collaboratively (Community Project) and independently (Personal Project) on a topic or community need of their own choosing and under supervision completing an investigation related to their own areas of interest and particular talents. Service as Action (SAA) in the MYP is built on a similar model to and introduces the Diploma Programme CAS component. The focus of SAA is to provide authentic, real life extensions to the academic programme which benefit communities and provide in many cases an experiential learning element. While it is not formally assessed, it is monitored qualitatively and completion is a requirement for every year of the programme. Grades and Assessment Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum) as a final grade. This grade is determined by how students perform against four assessment criteria in each subject. Through a programme of continuous assessment, students demonstrate progress against the assessment criteria throughout the year and final achievement levels determine the final IB grade. On completion of the fifth year of the programme, students take final onscreen exams and – if successful – are awarded the IB MYP Certificate. Programmes Students in the English+ programme attend four weekly lessons of French or German as an additional language. As they learn to communicate perfectly in English, they also move towards fluency in French or German with intensive Arabic lessons. Our bilingual programmes extend through to the Middle Years Programme, where students study certain disciplines in French or German and others in English. The bilingual students who take subjects in French or German as well as English are eligible for the award of the bilingual MYP Certificate on completion of the programme. At any point during a student’s SISD school career a change to International English+ will be discussed if progress reports, language support provisions and teacher feedback recommend this transition to the student’s academic benefit. Learn more about our Secondary School.

The two year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme allows students to develop an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge. The Diploma (DP) is a truly international programme, developed in consultation and collaboration with educators from around the world. DP students are prepared for active participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and ethically, while acquiring the skills that will prepare them for further education and life in the 21st century.

The curriculum consists of six subject groups: Language and Literature

Language Acquisition (or a second Language & Literature subject)

Individuals and societies

Science

Mathematics

Arts or other elective subject Learn more about taught subjects here. A compulsory core comprises three distinct components, and is an integral part of the DP student experience: Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is focused on developing interdisciplinary and critical-thinking skills. TOK explores interdisciplinary themes across subjects and encourages critical reflection and analysis.

(TOK) is focused on developing interdisciplinary and critical-thinking skills. TOK explores interdisciplinary themes across subjects and encourages critical reflection and analysis. Extended Essay requires students to select, research, and write an in-depth, independent submission of 4000 words, usually in one of their six subject areas. The Extended Essay requirement offers IB Diploma candidates the opportunity to become familiar with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.

requires students to select, research, and write an in-depth, independent submission of 4000 words, usually in one of their six subject areas. The Extended Essay requirement offers IB Diploma candidates the opportunity to become familiar with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is a fundamental part of the Diploma experience, helping students to grasp the importance of extracurricular activities as an integral part of life, and as a healthy counterbalance to the world of pure scholarship and study. These initiatives and activities are a key part of our students’ education, and include local and global community outreach projects, charity drives, Model United Nations, sports and many more. Grades and Assessment Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the IB Diploma requires a minimum total score of 24, based on the principle that a grade 4 represents a passing level in each of the six subjects. Excellent performance in the six subjects results in a grade 7 for each, or a total score of 42 points. Students can earn an additional 3 points for superior work on the Extended Essay and in Theory of Knowledge. Programmes Our bilingual programmes extend through to the Diploma Programme, where all students study English Language and Literature. In addition to this, we encourage those who have the relevant experience to study Language and Literature in French, German or Arabic, which results in the award of a bilingual diploma. For those who are not yet bilingual, our English+ programme will ensure that all students achieve a degree of bilingualism depending on the level at which they study.

The Career-Related Programme is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education. Students have to choose 3 subjects (1 HL, 2 SL)* CP Core: Personal & Professional skills Language Development Service Learning Reflective Project (in english, french or spanish)

BTEC Business, Hospitality or Sports



*Recommended subjects for Hospitality and Business pathways: Maths AI, Business Management and a language. The programme leads to further/higher education, apprenticeships or employment. Find out more about the CP.