The information on this school’s profile is taken from publicly available sources, and has been collated by AI and curated by human moderators. Every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy, but factual inaccuracies are possible. If you would like to report inaccurate information please email support@doris.school
Deutsche Internationale Schule Riad has 192 pupils, instruction in German.
Location
DISR is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Al Arid district. The campus sits within the Al Bustan Village Compound, with the street address listed as Al Arid 13332, Riyadh (Unit 2 within the Al Bustan Village complex). The site is accessible from local roads and is near other international facilities in the area. []
Stages
DISR comprises three levels: Kindergarten; Grundschule (primary) with four year-group classes; Sekundarstufe (secondary) covering grades 5–10. The school also offers the German International Baccalaureate (GIB) in the secondary phase. []
Type
The school is co-educational and operates as a day school (no boarding facilities). []
Pupil Nationality Mix
Public data on pupil nationalities and local/international ratios are not published. DISR presents itself as a German international school with multilingual education and an international student body, with instruction in English and German and additional language offerings (French, Arabic). []
Additional learning support
The Sekundarstufe uses cooperative-open learning arrangements to address individual needs. The school provides DaF (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) and DFU (Deutschsprachiger Fachunterricht) support, with multilingual language provisions (English, German, French, Arabic). []
Country affiliation
Affiliated with Germany as a German Auslandsschule (German School Abroad). []
Religious affiliation
No formal religious affiliation is listed for the school. []
School day structure
Grundschule days typically run from about 08:30 to 14:15, with German-language instruction, breaks, a lunch period, and a final dismissal. Kindergarten days include morning activities, meals, rest periods, and dismissal around 14:10. The GIB Sekundarstufe follows a structured timetable with extended blocks of instruction. []
Bus service
DISR does not operate a school bus service. []
Fees
Annual tuition at Deutsche Internationale Schule Riad ranges from SAR 31,500 to SAR 79,000 for 2026/27.
Overview
Admission and registration fees - One‑off registration (admission) fee: SAR 5,000. This fee is due within 14 days of receipt of the invoice and is not credited against tuition. It is not refundable if a child is rejected following an aptitude test; if the school cannot allocate a place within six months of registration the registration fee will be refunded minus a SAR 500 processing fee.
Deposit - One‑off refundable deposit: SAR 5,000 per child, payable at confirmation of admission. The deposit is non‑interest bearing; outstanding amounts owed to the school at deregistration will be deducted and the remainder refunded within 180 days after the end of the semester in which the child was deregistered.
Annual re‑registration advance - To reserve a seat for the following school year an advance payment of SAR 2,000 per enrolled child is due on 15 March of the current school year. This advance is set off against the school or kindergarten fees for the following year and is not refundable if the child does not attend the following year. Failure to pay the advance on time results in automatic deregistration at the end of the current school year.
Tuition fees (annual and per semester; amounts in SAR, exclusive of 15% VAT) - Kindergarten 2–3 years (U3): Annual SAR 35,280 — Semester SAR 17,640. - Kindergarten 3–5 years: Annual SAR 31,500 — Semester SAR 15,750. - Pre‑school (5–6 years): Annual SAR 36,960 — Semester SAR 18,480. - Primary school (Grades 1–4): Annual SAR 55,440 — Semester SAR 27,720. - Secondary school (Grades 5–10): Annual SAR 61,580 — Semester SAR 30,790. - International Baccalaureate, Mixed Languages (GIB) Grades 11–12: Annual SAR 79,000 — Semester SAR 39,500.
Additional language / optional course fees - German as a Foreign Language (DaF) program: Annual SAR 3,500 — Semester SAR 1,750. Second child: Annual SAR 2,600 — Semester SAR 1,300. Third child: Annual SAR 1,750 — Semester SAR 875. Language test: SAR 200.
Other fees and discounts - Book deposit (kindergarten): SAR 100 (one‑off, refundable under the same rules as the deposit). - Reminder fee (from second reminder onwards): SAR 500 per reminder. - Sibling discounts (school fees only; do not apply to kindergarten fees): second (second‑eldest) child discount SAR 750; third (third‑eldest) child discount SAR 1,000. - Fees for additional courses or extracurricular activities are charged separately and are due before the service is provided. Fees for optional courses that are not obtained are not refundable.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Two payment options are offered: - Annual payment: full annual fee due 15 August. - Semester payments: first semester payment due 15 August; second semester payment due 15 January. - School and kindergarten fees are always invoiced in advance and are non‑refundable in the event of deregistration during an ongoing school year, except where specific trial‑period rules apply (see U3 trial provision). Registration during a school year triggers fees for the entire week from first day of attendance and those fees become due within two weeks of registration. - If the payment deadline is exceeded by more than two weeks the school reserves the right to recalculate EUR amounts on the invoice. A first reminder is issued two weeks after the due date; a second reminder (two weeks after the first reminder) carries a SAR 500 reminder fee. Persistent arrears may lead to exclusion from school services and withholding of reports/certificates; unpaid arrears at the end of the school year will result in deregistration and re‑enrolment fees already paid will not be refunded.
Refund information - School and kindergarten fees paid in advance are non‑refundable in the event of deregistration during the current school year. - The one‑off admission/registration fee is not refundable except where the school cannot allocate a place within six months of registration; in that case the registration fee is refunded minus a SAR 500 processing fee. - The one‑off deposit (SAR 5,000) and the book deposit are refundable, subject to deduction of outstanding amounts, and refunded within 180 days after the end of the semester in which the child was deregistered. - U3 trial provision: U3 registrations are subject to a six‑week trial; if the school deregisters a U3 child during this trial period, kindergarten fees paid beyond the trial period will be refunded pro rata.
Boarding and uniforms - The fee schedule does not list any boarding provision or boarding fees. No boarding fees are included in the schedule of fees. - The published fee schedule does not itemize a uniform charge; uniform costs are not listed in the schedule of fees.
Payment methods and bank details - Accepted payment methods listed: bank transfer in SAR to the school account in Saudi Arabia, bank transfer in EUR to the school account in Germany, or cash payments at the school accounts department during office hours (08:30–15:00 Sunday–Thursday). - SAR account (KSA): Account name: SAIS German Branch; Account no.: 0101 111 948 001; Bank: The Saudi Investment Bank – HQ Branch, Riyadh; IBAN: SA20 6500 0000 1011 1194 8001; BIC: SIBCSARI. - EUR account (Germany): Account name: German School Riyadh; Account no.: 582562500; BLZ: 500 400 00; Bank: Commerzbank Frankfurt am Main; IBAN: DE30 5004 0000 0582 5625 00; BIC: COBADEFFXXXX.
Tax note - All fees in the published schedule are stated exclusive of 15% VAT.
Consequences of non‑payment - The school will issue reminders for overdue payments and may charge the SAR 500 reminder fee from the second reminder. Continued non‑payment may result in exclusion from services, withholding of reports/certificates, and deregistration if arrears remain at the end of the school year. Re‑enrolment fees already paid will not be refunded in such cases.
Academics
Deutsche Internationale Schule Riad teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), German Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.
Curriculum
DISR provides a continuous German international curriculum from kindergarten through Sekundarstufe I up to grade 10. Grundschule comprises four year groups and follows the Thüringen state German curriculum, with instruction in German. Sekundarstufe I covers grades 5–10 and is organized in common classes with kooperativ-offenen Lernarrangements (cooperative-open learning). Since 2025/26, DISR is an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme, with English and German as languages of instruction. The school awards a grade-10 school leaving certificate as its standard upper secondary Abschluss. The Diploma Programme provides an internationally recognized upper-secondary qualification alongside the German track.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Deutsche Internationale Schule Riad (DISR) promotes social and emotional learning (SEL) by cultivating a school culture designed to be a place of wellbeing, safety, and respectful interaction in Sekundarstufe I. The Sekundarstufe is organized in cooperative-open learning arrangements that allow staff to tailor support to students' abilities and needs. In Grundschule, the school runs Faustlos, a social-emotional program that develops empathy, impulse control, and strategies for managing anger and frustration; students attend weekly. After-school activities (Nachmittagsangebote) provide a broad, German-language program that supports social engagement in a low-pressure environment and includes homework support. The language concept and multilingual approach are integrated to support social inclusion and positive interactions across diverse language backgrounds.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, including whether it operates a specialist SEN department or what kinds of SEN it can support. Existing publicly available content focuses on language support (DaF/DFU) and multilingual education rather than explicitly on SEN services. The timetable and program descriptions show English and German as languages of instruction, and DaF/DFU is used to support students with language needs; there is no explicit listing of SEN staff or facilities.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is a language of instruction at DISR, alongside German, as shown by the IB information that lists English and German as languages of instruction. In practice, English appears in the Grundschule timetable (Englisch), indicating ongoing English language study as part of the curriculum. The school also notes a multilingual language concept that includes English, French, and Arabic among the languages taught. Therefore, EAL-related support is primarily provided through general multilingual and DaF/DFU programs rather than a distinct, separate EAL service.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported as part of SEL and the school ethos: the Sekundarstufe describes DISR as a place of wellbeing, safety, and respectful treatment. The Grundschule includes Faustlos to develop social-emotional competencies such as empathy and impulse control. The after-school program further supports social engagement in a relaxed environment, contributing to students' wellbeing.
Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Arrange a school visit in Riyadh. The visit is conducted as a guided tour with the leadership of the Kindergarten, Grundschule, or Sekundarstufe, to help families understand the DISR structure and offerings. The school address is 7750, Al Arid 13332, Riyadh. 2. Receive a personalized admissions consultation. The school emphasizes personal contact with parents and provides an individualized consultation during the visit to outline the admissions process. The admissions team and the secretariat assist with questions related to the admissions process. 3. Review fee information as part of the admissions process. Fee regulations are provided in German and English (Gebührenregelung Deutsch and Gebührenregelung English) and can be discussed with the admissions team. Contact details remain the same for any fee questions.
FAQs
Where is Deutsche Internationale Schule Riad located and what ages does it serve?
The school is at Al Bustan Village Compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and it serves learners aged 2 to 18, from Kindergarten through the Bilingual International Baccalaureate (GIB) program.
What curriculum does DISR follow and what qualifications can students achieve there?
DISR offers an accredited German international education with a strong German language foundation, running from Kindergarten to the Bilingual International Baccalaureate (GIB). Students can sit Mittlerer Schulabschluss (KMK) exams as the final German School Abroad assessment, and the GIB provides a direct university entrance qualification in Germany and worldwide.
Is DISR a co-educational school and who is the head of school?
Yes, DISR is co-educational. The head of school is Philipp Kovermann.
What are the admission and registration fees families should expect?
There is a one-time admission fee of SAR 5,125 and a one-time refundable deposit of SAR 5,000 (refunded after deregistration, subject to deductions for outstanding amounts). A re-registration advance payment of SAR 2,050 is due on 15 March to reserve a seat for the next school year.
How much is tuition by year group, and are there any discounts or annual increases?
Tuition (exclusive of 15% VAT) ranges by year: Kindergarten U3 (2–3) SAR 36,162 per year; Kindergarten (3–5) SAR 32,288; Pre-school (5–6) SAR 37,884; Primary (Grades 1–4) SAR 56,826; Secondary (Grades 5–10) SAR 63,120; GIB (Grades 11–12) SAR 80,976. DaF (German as a Foreign Language) is SAR 3,588 per year. Sibling discounts apply (second child SAR 769, third child SAR 1,025) and annual fee increases are 2.5% at the start of each school year.
How does the admissions process work and are there scholarships?
The process involves an on-site tour, submitting required documents, paying the admission fee and deposit, and then re-registration for the following year. There is a discretionary School Fee Discount for exceptional circumstances (not for kindergarten), with applications due by the end of May. If a place cannot be allocated within six months, the admission fee is refunded minus a SAR 500 processing fee.
What curriculum tracks exist and how does the GIB fit in with KMK exams?
DISR runs from Kindergarten to the Bilingual International Baccalaureate (GIB); KMK exams serve as the central written final exams for German Schools Abroad, and the GIB offers a direct university entrance qualification globally.
What qualifications support higher education paths for students at DISR?
Students can pursue the GIB for direct university entrance qualification in Germany and worldwide. After Grade 10, IBDP admission depends on the track (Gymnasialschüler must pass the MSA; Realschüler require an average of 3.0 and a passing written MSA, with no failing IBDP subjects; exceptions may be made by the principal).
What language support is available for non-German speakers at DISR?
English is taught as an additional language, and DaF (German as a Foreign Language) is taught across all levels. DFU provides German-language instruction within non-German subjects. DaF is CEFR-based and offered in small groups with trained staff.
What campus facilities does DISR offer for students?
DISR sits in Al Bustan Village Compound and features a protected kindergarten entry, a dedicated DaF room, and a Recreation Centre on the campus used for sport and movement activities. The after-school program (AGs) also uses on-site facilities.
What extracurricular and after-school options does DISR provide?
DISR offers a broad after-school program (AGs) run in German after school hours, including theatre, cooking, arts, various sports, movement activities, and homework supervision. The program is voluntary and fee-based.
What other language and culture programs are available beyond DaF?
In addition to DaF, DISR provides German-language subject instruction (DFU) and teaches English, French, and Arabic to foster multilingualism across the curriculum.
What languages are taught at DISR and how is the language of instruction organized?
German is the central language of instruction. DaF is mandatory and CEFR-based; DFU provides German-language instruction within non-German subjects. English, French, and Arabic are taught as additional languages, and GIB supports bilingual education.
How does the school approach wellbeing and inclusion?
DISR promotes democratic participation, empathetic and individualized support, and a respectful, diverse community where every person counts.
What support is available for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and language development?
English is taught as an additional language (EAL). DaF supports German language development, and DFU integrates German into non-German subject areas to support language growth.
Is there any safeguarding information available for DISR?
Safeguarding details are not specified in the provided information, but the school emphasizes inclusive, respectful community practices.
Does DISR offer boarding or a uniform policy?
There is no boarding provision listed, and information about school uniforms is not provided in the available data.
Who governs DISR and who are the board members?
DISR is governed by a Board with strategic responsibility. Board members include Benjamin Wessendorf, Julia Vetter, Roman Klein, and Ulf Schulte, focusing on maintaining the status of an Excellent German School Abroad.
What accreditation or awards does DISR hold?
DISR holds the seal of quality Excellent German School Abroad, an official award from Germany recognizing high pedagogical quality and sustainable school development. It is part of the German Schools Abroad network (DAS).
What is the DAS network and how does it relate to DISR?
DISR is part of the German Schools Abroad (DAS) network, which is supervised by Germany to uphold quality standards across German international schools worldwide.
