Cities / Sharjah / German International School, Sharjah (DISS)
German International School, Sharjah (DISS)
German International School Sharjah is a small German-curriculum school in Al Abar, founded in 1976 and serving children from kindergarten through secondary years.
In brief
German International School Sharjah is a small German-curriculum school in Al Abar, founded in 1976 and serving children from kindergarten through secondary years.
The school is a niche option for German-speaking and German-system families in Sharjah and the northern emirates. Its scale is modest compared with the large British, Indian and American schools nearby, but that is part of the appeal for families seeking a familiar language and academic structure.
Families should check current grade availability, language expectations and senior pathway directly with the school, since German-system schools can be less flexible for late-entry pupils without German.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 4 | AED 20,950 |
| Preschool | 4 | AED 21,500 |
| Primary School (Class 1-4) | 6 | AED 34,200 |
| Orientation Stage (Class 5) | 10 | AED 36,200 |
| Secondary School (Class 6-10) | 12 | AED 38,400 |
| IB (Class 11-12) | 16 | AED 49,800 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| School Books Deposit (Primary) | AED 400 | |
| Registration Fee (Additional Children) | AED 500 | |
| School Books Deposit (Secondary/IB) | AED 800 | |
| Registration Fee (First Child) | AED 2,000 |
Reviews
- SPEA rated DISS "Good" in 2023, up from "Acceptable" in 2018, citing strategic leadership and continuous professional development as drivers.
- Parents who write publicly highlight small class sizes and teachers who know children by name. Recurring praise covers individual attention, language progression and the German-Arabic-English mix.
- One parent gave a sharply negative review claiming the school is "scamming children and parents" and that the IB section, opened in 2012, has seen high failure rates and weak high-school readiness. This sits against an otherwise positive local pool.
- Other parents show a low aggregate (5 ratings) shaped by the same negative voice; other parents are more consistent in positive assessments.
- Fees are mid-range for the emirate; the school positions itself on cross-cultural tolerance and a three-stream German secondary system.
Positives
- Inspection trajectory. SPEA Good (2023), up from Acceptable (2018)
- Small classes and individual attention. Parents cite name-by-name teacher relationships
- Language progression. German-Arabic-English structure with formal level testing
Considerations
- IB outcomes. One parent flagged high IB failure rates and weak high-school readiness
- Fees. Mid-range for Sharjah; family discounts on transport
Leadership
Sven Hertner
Kenny Duncan has over 30 years of experience in UK and international education, originating from a working-class background in Scotland.
Accreditations
- SPEA 01
- Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen 02