doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
D

Dili International School

Timor Leste, Dili

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $1,600 - 22,600
Ages 1 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2002
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Portuguese, Indonesian
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Dili International School (DIS) in Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste, serves Preschool through Grade 12 (ages 1–18). The Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is offered in the early years, while the senior programme follows the Australian Curriculum, with the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) as the graduating certificate. DIS is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Multilingual education features in Preschool and Primary, with Secondary providing Global Pathways and VCE. The campus comprises a 3,500 square metre Primary/Secondary site and a 2,000 square metre Early Learning Centre, with three grassed playing fields, a basketball court, table tennis and handball facilities, and two shaded playgrounds. All classrooms have computers and air conditioning. The school serves about 21 nationalities, and 100% of applicants are offered university placements. Its history traces to 2002, with expansion in 2003 and IB/VCE accreditations thereafter.

14 Rue Avenue de Portugal, Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor Leste

The Essentials

Dili International School has typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
14 Rue Avenue de Portugal, Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste. The school is in the heart of Dili. Since 2003, DIS has welcomed families from around the world.

Stages
Preschool through Year 12. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is used for the primary years. The senior programme follows the Australian Curriculum, and the graduating certificate is the Victorian Certificate of Education (Australia).

Pupil Nationality Mix
21 different nationalities are represented; the average class size is 18 students.

Country affiliation
Timor-Leste
Diving Deeper

House System
The school has a house system with house challenges and house points; Artemis II House participates in these activities.

Governance and Ownership
The school is privately owned and managed by the owner/managers in consultation with the Leadership Team.
Fees

Annual tuition at Dili International School ranges from USD 1,600 to USD 22,600 for 2026/27.

Overview
- Dili International School (DIS) does not publish a public, itemised fee schedule for general access. The school operates a differentiated fee schedule and asks families to request up-to-date fee information directly.

Application fees
- No fixed, publicly listed application fee amount is available. Application or enrolment charges (if applied) are not published for general viewing. Families are advised that any one-off application or registration charges are determined at the time of application.

Tuition fees (by year group and billing format)
- Official per-year and per-term tuition figures for the 2026/27 academic year are not publicly posted. The school uses a differentiated fee schedule rather than a single published chart.
- Publicly available third-party guidance (independent local/expat guides compiled February 2026) lists approximate figures that have been cited by expatriate resources: Preschool (early years) approximately USD 6,000 per year; school-age students (Year/Grade 1 and above) approximately USD 22,600 per year, plus a one-off capital or development fee of about USD 1,600. These figures are third‑party estimates and are not a formal fee schedule issued by the school.
- No reliable, published breakdown into term-level instalments for DIS (per-term amounts by year group) was found in public materials; therefore per‑term figures cannot be stated with certainty. The school's policy documents and admissions notices indicate fee arrangements are communicated to families on offer and invoicing.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- A formal, public billing schedule (for example: number of instalments, payment due dates, or late‑payment penalties) is not posted for general access. Fee-setting and billing operate under the school's fee policy and are provided to families following application/enrolment.

Boarding fees
- DIS is a day school; boarding accommodation is not offered. Therefore no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and recurring extras
- The school maintains a student dress code and sports uniform requirement; families should expect uniform costs, but no published uniform price list is available. Additional typical school costs likely to appear on invoices include canteen/meal charges, bus/transport services, excursions and co‑curricular activity fees, and textbooks or learning resources; specific amounts are not publicly listed.

Refund / withdrawal information
- No publicly available, itemised refund or partial‑term refund schedule was found. The school's fee policy and terms (which reference differentiated fee arrangements) govern refunds and withdrawals; those detailed terms are provided to families via the school's enrolment and policy documentation rather than as a public fee table.

Fee payment options
- The school's public pages do not include a published list of accepted payment methods (for example specific bank transfer instructions, credit card acceptance, online payment gateway, or cash). Enrolment and invoicing processes handle payment details directly with families.

Summary of findings and limitations
- Official, itemised fee schedules for 2026/27 were not publicly posted for general access. DIS's published materials state that the school operates a differentiated fee schedule and direct fee enquiries are handled through the admissions/enrolment process. Evidence of this appears in the school admissions/policies pages and in the school's policy references; the school's full fee policy and related documents are held in documents accessible to enrolled families or via the school's enrolment portal and are not openly displayed as a public fee table.
- Independent local/expat guidance (February 2026) provides approximate annual figures used by families budgeting for life in Dili: Preschool about USD 6,000 per year; school‑age tuition roughly USD 22,600 per year plus an approximate USD 1,600 capital/development fee. These are third‑party estimates only and should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Academics

Dili International School teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Offers International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). The senior programme follows the Australian Curriculum. The graduating certificate is the Victorian Certificate of Education (Australia). The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Preschool features multilingual education; Primary features a multilingual foundation; Secondary offers Global Pathways and VCE. The school serves Grades Preschool-12.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 18 students.

Higher Education Progression
100% of applicants offered university placements.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports social-emotional development across the Preschool to Year 12 program. The Preschool program includes social-emotional skills as part of holistic development. The Relationship Management policy uses a restorative practice approach to build healthy relationships, resolve conflicts, and teach skills such as active listening, expressing emotions, and problem solving.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Inclusive Education Policy values diversity and upholds the dignity of every child. The school does not discriminate on race, sexual orientation, age, disability or religion in its educational or employment practices. Because specialist services are limited, the school admits and supports students only when it can meaningfully and safely meet their needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The medium of instruction is English at Dili International School. Students from age 7 are required to learn an additional language in line with International Baccalaureate standards.

Mental Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing are central to the school community. The school provides a safe, healthy and supportive environment and recognises the wellbeing of staff as important. It offers a diverse extracurricular program to help students develop creatively, sportingly, interpersonally and academically, and aims to increase personal well-being among staff.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection Code of Conduct defining the behaviours expected of staff and others who work with students. It has a Critical Incident Management policy for handling serious events, and policies on security, accidents and medical situations and health and wellbeing to ensure a safe school environment.
Parent Experience

History
Dili International School developed organically to accommodate the needs of the East Timorese and expatriate community in the immediate post-independence period. Carmel Bates and her spouse started Dili International School from their home in Kampong Alor in July 2002 to educate their three children. A larger campus was obtained in Pantai Kelapa in February 2003, with Preschool and Playgroup classes added soon after. In January 2006 the Secondary Distance Education Support program began; after the 2006 crisis the school reopened with Preschool and Playgroup at a nearby location and established a Community Preschool called Fini Moris. DIS introduced face-to-face learning for Secondary students in 2010; the IB Middle Years Programme was authorised in 2012 and the IB Primary Years Programme in 2014; in April 2013, through its association with Haileybury College in Melbourne, it was accredited by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority to offer the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

Community
DIS emphasizes a strong community focus, encouraging students to engage with the local culture and to learn the value of giving to others and respecting cultural diversity. Fini Moris, a Community Preschool for local Timorese children and the children of Timorese staff, was started in 2006 as part of DIS's outreach. Science Week 2026 showcased cross-year learning, house challenges, and a whole-school science assembly, with Big Buddies and House Captains supporting students. The DIS Student Representative Council collaborates with Centro Audiovisual Max Stahl Timor-Leste (CAMSTL) for community events, including a film evening commemorating Timor-Leste's Independence.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
DIS occupies a 3,500 square metre Primary and Secondary campus and a 2,000 square metre Early Learning Centre. The grounds include three grassed areas for ball games such as soccer, volleyball and other sports, two shaded playground areas, a basketball court, table tennis and handball facilities. The Early Learning Centre houses Playgroup and Preschool, located about 150 metres from the Upper Campus, with undercover play spaces. All classrooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning, and every class has computers and Internet access. The campuses are fenced and monitored by security personnel, with visitors sign-in required.

Sports Facilities
Three grassed areas are suitable for ball games (soccer, volleyball and other sports). A basketball court, table tennis and handball facilities are available. Two shaded areas provide age-appropriate playground equipment for younger students. There are undercover play spaces on both campuses, and all rooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning. All classrooms have computers and Internet access.

Academic Facilities
The school is accredited with the International Baccalaureate Organisation, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is offered, and the senior programme follows the Australian Curriculum. The graduating certificate is the Victorian Certificate of Education (Australia).

Extra Curricular Facilities
Sports include Athletics, Primary PMP, and Team Sports. Arts programs include Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Swim is offered as part of Student Life. Community programs include the Parent Teacher Association, Fini Moris, and Languages. Alumni is represented as part of the DIS community.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and Timor-Leste's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. It offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and the senior programme follows the Australian Curriculum, with the Victorian Certificate of Education as the graduating certificate. The school serves 21 nationalities, has an average class size of 18 students, and 100% of applicants are offered university placements; teaching staff have an average of more than 15 years in the classroom.

Arts & Creative
The arts program includes Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Co-curricular activities supporting the arts include violin lessons for younger students, drama club, and dance; secondary offerings include sculpture art and an art club.

Cultural & Language
Multilingual education is a feature of the Primary programme.

Social & Hobbies
Co-curricular activities include chess and games, gardening, cooking, and coconut pendant making; additional options include dance, drama, boxing, and other after-school clubs and activities that support social and hobby interests.

Community & Service
The school operates a Student Representative Council that engages with community initiatives; events include collaborations with Centro Audiovisual Max Stahl Timor-Leste and fundraising efforts such as BSF Wheelchair Rugby Timor-Leste.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities are available through the Student Representative Council and active student involvement in school activities and community projects.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
After-school sporting programs include Volleyball, Wheelchair Sports, Futsal, Basketball, and Boxing; the co-curricular calendar also features study support and other wellness-oriented activities to promote balanced student life.
Languages

Language Provision
Multilingual education is offered across the school. In the Primary Years Programme, language study includes Tetun, Portuguese and Indonesian. English is a core subject delivered under the Australian Curriculum framework, and core subjects such as mathematics and science follow the Australian Curriculum with Timor-Leste adaptations. In Senior School, Indonesian Second Language and Portuguese are part of the Victorian Certificate of Education program, with English available as an additional language.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
The school is accredited with the International Baccalaureate Organisation, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.
Admissions

Admissions
The school is a leading international school in Timor-Leste, offering a globally focused education from Early Years to Year 12. It is accredited with the International Baccalaureate Organisation, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is offered, and the senior programme follows the Australian Curriculum. The graduating certificate is the Victorian Certificate of Education (Australia). Fees & Enquiries are handled via the enrolment channels, and the Enrol Now form is available to start the process.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare Dili International School with
vs QSI International School of Dili
Search for more schools
Search schools in Timor Leste View all schools in Dili View all schools in Timor leste IB curriculum schools in Timor Leste Open days & tours in Dili What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools