German International School, Jeddah
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$6K - US$18K
Curriculum: German · IB
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~155
Location: Other Jeddah, Jeddah
Updated April 2026
In Brief
DISJ is the only option in Jeddah if your children's primary language is German or you plan to return to a German-speaking country. For everyone else, it is the wrong school - the language of instruction is German throughout, and the IB at the top is delivered partly in German.
DISJ has been educating German-speaking children in Jeddah since 1975 - it is one of the oldest international schools in the city, formally recognised by the German government as a Deutsche Auslandsschule. In 2012 it won the German Federal President's award for best German school abroad, which signals a real quality standard rather than a boutique experiment. With roughly 155 students, it is one of the smallest accredited international schools in Saudi Arabia.
Instruction follows the German federal curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 10, transitioning to the mixed-language IB Diploma (Germanisches International Baccalaureate, or GIB) in Grades 11-12. This is a genuinely bilingual qualification, not simply an IB delivered in English. Fees for 2025-26 range from SAR 26,335 (Kindergarten, VAT-inclusive) to SAR 65,780 for the GIB/IB years - the upper end reflects the IB examination costs. Sibling discounts of SAR 2,300 to SAR 4,600 per year reduce costs for families with multiple children.
The small size is the school's main structural limitation - with 155 students, the range of sports, activities, and social options is limited compared to Jeddah's larger schools. There are no published independent reviews of academic outcomes; the school does not participate in external benchmarking programmes that are publicly available. For non-German-speaking families, the language barrier makes this school practically inaccessible.
What parents value
- –German government-recognised school abroad, operating since 1975. Winner of the German Federal President's award for best German school abroad (2012) - a verified external quality marker.
- –Full German-language instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 10, with a mixed-language IB Diploma (GIB) in Grades 11-12. Ideal for children who will continue education in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
- –Sibling discounts of SAR 2,300-4,600 per year reduce the total cost for families with multiple children. The annual seat reservation fee of SAR 3,450 is deducted from next year's tuition - not a net additional charge.
Points of consideration
- –Instruction is in German throughout. Non-German-speaking children cannot access this school without significant German language preparation - it is not a bilingual school in the usual sense.
- –With 155 students, the social community and co-curricular range are limited. If your children are sociable and activity-oriented, compare this honestly with larger schools before deciding.
- –Fees at the IB level (SAR 65,780) are at the upper end of the Jeddah market. Add the one-time registration fee of SAR 5,635 and the annual IB exam fee of SAR 5,750; the first-year cost for a GIB student is significant.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 3 | NaN |
| Preschool | 5 | NaN |
| Elementary (Grades 1 - 4) | 6 | NaN |
| Secondary I (Grades 5 - 10) | 10 | NaN |
| GIB / IB Diploma (Grades 11 - 12) | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from SAR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (one-time) | NaN |
| Annual Seat Reservation | NaN |
| IB Exam Fee | NaN |
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Jeddah's international schools serve a highly diverse student body drawn from the city's large expatriate and local community. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.