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Dushanbe International School

Tajikistan, Dushanbe

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Persian
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 150
Type Co-educational
Opened 1997
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Persian, Russian
Typical class size 22
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Cultural and Language, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Dushanbe International School (DIS) is a Cambridge International School in Tajikistan for students aged 3 to 18. Established in 1997 as a joint venture between the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Shelale Educational Corporation, DIS provides a continuous Cambridge curriculum from Kindergarten through AS and A Levels. The programme begins with a play-based yet structured Kindergarten approach to literacy, numeracy, and social skills, followed by Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary, leading to Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS/A Levels. The school is a Cambridge Exams Centre and is the only Cambridge International Education Accredited School in Tajikistan. DIS holds CIS accreditation (since 2020; renewed 2025) and registered as a UCAS centre in 2026. A calendar of theme weeks—English, Tajik, and Russian Language Weeks; Mathematics and Science Weeks; Arts and Music Week—supports language development, arts, and experiential learning. The mission emphasizes critical thinking, global citizenship, and access to universities worldwide, abroad.

Bofanda Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The Essentials

Dushanbe International School has 150 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English, Persian.

Location
The school is located at Bofanda Street 9, Shohmansur district, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Stages
Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, AS and A Levels.

Type
Cambridge International School in Tajikistan (Cambridge curriculum from Primary to Advanced levels).

Country affiliation
Tajikistan
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Tajikistan established the Dushanbe International School and acts as founder. In January 2017, the MFA took over Shelale Educational Corporation's shares, becoming the sole owner and governor of the school. In 2025, DIS regained membership with the Council of International Schools (CIS). In 2026, DIS was registered as a UCAS centre.
Fees
Application / Registration fee
- Registration (one-off): TJS 900 (paid only once).

Tuition fees (by year group) — amounts shown are per academic year unless otherwise noted
- Ages 2–5 (pre-K / early years): TJS 1,400 per month. Annual equivalent (9-month academic year): TJS 12,600.
- Kindergarten: TJS 1,700 per month. Annual equivalent (9-month academic year): TJS 15,300.
- Grades 1–4: TJS 35,700 per year. Per term (half-year): TJS 17,850. Per quarter (25%): TJS 8,925. Per month (if divided over 9 months): TJS 3,966.67.
- Grades 5–8: TJS 39,000 per year. Per term: TJS 19,500. Per quarter: TJS 9,750. Per month (9 months): TJS 4,333.33.
- Grades 9–11: TJS 42,840 per year. Per term: TJS 21,420. Per quarter: TJS 10,710. Per month (9 months): TJS 4,760.00.
- All tuition figures include 5% VAT.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school's academic year is 1 September–31 May and is organised as two terms (four accounting quarters). The quarters used for tuition accounting are: Quarter 1: 01 September–31 October; Quarter 2: 11 November–31 December; Quarter 3: 11 January–21 March; Quarter 4: 01 April–31 May.
- Tuition is normally divided over nine months; parents are required to pay the first three months in advance at the start of the year.
- If a student is admitted after 1 September, 50% of the tuition fee must be paid during the first week after admission (otherwise the amount is due by 1 September).

Refunds and late‑leaving / absence rules
- If a student leaves before the end of a term, the full quarter's fee for that quarter must still be paid.
- Examples given in the school's fee rules: if a student starts in September but leaves on 15 October, 25% of the annual tuition is retained; if a student leaves on 20 November, the full fee for the second quarter must be paid. If a student joins after the start of a quarter, the fee for that entire quarter is charged.
- Absences for any reason do not reduce tuition; there is no deduction for student absence.

What the tuition covers / other included costs
- For Grades 1–11 the tuition includes tuition itself, applicable taxes (VAT), a hot meal (lunch) and the right to use school textbooks.

Other costs and typical extras
- Registration fee (one-off): TJS 900, as noted above.
- Uniforms and personal school supplies are not listed as included in tuition; parents should expect to meet uniform and personal materials costs separately. Textbooks (use of school books) are included for Grades 1–11.

Boarding / accommodation fees
- The school operates as a day school; boarding accommodation and boarding fees are not offered.

Fee payment options and receipt
- Payment methods accepted: online payment via IBT24 or payment at the International Bank of Tajikistan. Parents receive a payment receipt. At least one instalment must be paid on admission.

Discounts and concessions
- Sibling discounts and academic‑achievement discounts are available under the school's published discount policy.
Academics

Dushanbe International School teaches Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Cambridge curriculum is offered from kindergarten through advanced levels, including Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, and Cambridge AS and A Levels. The school is a Cambridge Exams Center.

Higher Education Progression
The school is a UCAS centre enabling UK undergraduate admissions and prepares students for higher education and beyond, with access to top universities worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a Cambridge-based curriculum designed to develop critical thinking, curiosity, and global citizenship, integrated with a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school supports students within an inclusive environment; specific SEN provisions are not detailed here.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is a primary medium of instruction via the Cambridge curriculum; other language offerings are not specified here.

Mental Wellbeing
A supportive environment is emphasized to foster student growth and engagement; specific mental wellbeing programs are not detailed here.

Safeguarding
Policies and procedures for safeguarding and child protection are in place as part of the school's governance and health & safety framework.
Parent Experience

History
Dushanbe International School was established on September 1, 1997, as a joint venture between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and the Shelale Educational Corporation, with early management by Shelale. In 2004 the school became a member of the Council of International Schools and in 2005 joined the European Council of International Schools. In 2010 the school was accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education and became a Cambridge Exams Center, following the Cambridge curriculum. In January 2017 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over Shelale's shares, becoming the sole owner and governor of the school. DIS earned CIS accreditation in 2020, briefly lost it in 2022 due to administrative changes and the COVID-19 pandemic, and regaining CIS membership in 2025; in 2026 it registered as a UCAS centre.

Community
The Dushanbe International School calendar includes national holidays and cultural observances such as Independence Day of Tajikistan, Rudaki Day, Rumi Day, Tajik Language Week, and Navruz Celebration. There are also constitutional and national commemorations like Constitution Day and Presidents Day, and thematic weeks such as History and Geography Week, Mathematics Week, English Language Week, ICT Week, and Arts and Music Week. The Extracurricular Activities section highlights events such as Welcome back to school, Independence Day of Tajikistan, Tajik Language Week, Navruz Celebration, Russian Language Week, Arts and Music Week, and Physical Education Week. Additional observances include Sada Celebration, Army Day, Mother's Day, and International Women's Day.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
The school provides a Cambridge curriculum from Kindergarten through AS and A Levels. Kindergarten develops foundational literacy, numeracy, and social skills in a play-based yet structured environment. Cambridge Primary covers core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science. Cambridge Lower Secondary builds on prior knowledge with more specialized study, including foreign languages, history, and technology, preparing students for the IGCSE level. Cambridge IGCSE is offered as a globally recognized qualification, and AS and A Levels provide pathways to university study. The school is the only Cambridge International Education Accredited School in Tajikistan.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra Curricular Activities include organized weekly events and celebrations such as English Language Week (October 13–17), Russian Language Week (December 15–19), Mathematics Week (December 1–5), Science Week (January 19–23), History and Geography Week (November 17–21), Arts and Music Week (February 16–20), and ICT Week (February 2–6). The calendar also marks national celebrations including Independence Day of Tajikistan (September 9) and Navruz Celebration (March 21–24). These activities provide experiential and cultural learning alongside classroom study.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Cambridge curriculum is offered from kindergarten through AS and A Levels, including Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary, IGCSE, and AS/A Levels. The school is the only Cambridge International Education Accredited School in Tajikistan. The vision and mission emphasize critical thinking, academic excellence, and global citizenship. The program gives students the opportunity to access top universities worldwide.

Arts & Creative
Arts and Music Week is a school-wide celebration of self-expression, imagination, and the performing arts. Creativity is fostered through hands‑on experiences and a broad range of extracurricular activities. Students have opportunities to engage in visual arts, music, and other creative pursuits as part of the learning environment.

Cultural & Language
English Language Week features spelling bees, debates, and creative writing workshops. Tajik Language Week celebrates Tajik language and culture through poetry recitations and language workshops. Russian Language Week explores the linguistic heritage of Russian through workshops and presentations. Navruz Celebration marks the Persian New Year with traditional music, dance, and shared festive meals.

Social & Hobbies
Extra Curricular Activities are listed as part of the school's events calendar and include a variety of weekly themes. The calendar features English Language Week, ICT Week, Arts and Music Week, Mathematics Week, and Science Week to promote social interaction, teamwork, and hands‑on learning.

Community & Service
Global citizenship and social responsibility are emphasized; students are encouraged to embrace diversity, act responsibly, and contribute positively to society.

Leadership & Professional
The school has highly qualified teachers who are carefully selected for their expertise and dedication, supporting a professional learning environment.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical Education Week focuses on health, teamwork, and an active lifestyle through sports challenges and fitness activities. The learning environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, contributing to student wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
Foreign languages are taught in Lower Secondary.
Reputation

Accreditations
The Ministry of Education of Tajikistan accredits Dushanbe International School. The school is a Cambridge Assessment International Education partner offering the Cambridge curriculum from Primary to Advanced levels. The school joined the Cambridge network as a Cambridge Exams Center in 2010. The school held Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation in 2020, later losing it in late 2022, and regained CIS membership in 2025. The school is registered as a UCAS centre as of 2026.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Registration. Registration is the first step to enroll at Dushanbe International School. This initiates the enrollment process and provides a point of contact for admissions. Families are encouraged to start registration early to secure a place in the Cambridge curriculum program.

2. Entrance Exam and Interview. The student must pass an entrance exam and attend an interview. The entrance exams cover English, mathematics, and science; the tests are paper-based and can take up to two hours. After the exams, the student is invited to the interview, and the interview committee prepares a report that is sent to be approved by the head of the school.

3. Submitting Documents. The required documents include copies of both parents' passports, the student's birth certificate, eight passport-size photos, parents' employment certificate, residential certificate, medical certificate for the student, and a transcript from the former school. The school administration has to send the pre-approval letter of exception to the former school of the student in order to complete the process. These documents complete the enrollment file and enable pre-approval to be processed.

4. Signing Contract. After submitting documents, the family signs the enrollment contract. The contract formalizes enrollment and outlines the terms of the arrangement. A formal enrollment agreement marks the official transition to being a DIS student.

5. Financial Challan. A financial challan is issued as part of the payment process, and a payment receipt is provided. At least one installment must be paid to finalize enrollment. Payments can be made online via IBT24 or at the International Bank of Tajikistan.
School Events
The school has not added events
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