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QSI International School of Dili

Timor Leste, Dili

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $300 - 26,700
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2005
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Portuguese, French
Typical class size 12
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction

QSI International School of Dili serves students aged 3 to 18 at Aldea 04 Marconi, Suco Fatuhada, Dili, Timor Leste. The school delivers a Bespoke Curriculum with Advanced Placement and an American-Curriculum framework, built on Outcomes: Knowledge, Competencies, and Success Orientations. Program Outcomes include Mathematics, English, Cultural Studies, Science, Languages Other Than English, Creative and Applied Arts. Courses are organized into units; students master each unit to earn an A, B, or P and progress toward mastery. The Educational Model uses Time as a Resource, emphasizing Mastery Learning, reteaching, differentiated instruction, and frequent status reports to families. The curriculum aligns with U.S. standards including Common Core and NGSS, preparing students for university through defined outcomes and student-will objectives. The campus features a modern science lab, computer lab, music and art rooms, a 6,000-volume library, outdoor playgrounds, and a cafeteria. MS A accredited and only Dili school with accreditation for all grades.

Aldea 04 Marconi, Suco Fatuhada, Sub Distrito Dom Alexio, Dili, Timor Leste

The Essentials

QSI International School of Dili has typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.

Location
Aldea 04 Marconi, Suco Fatuhada, Sub Distrito Dom Alexio, Dili, Timor Leste

Stages
Preschool through Secondary School

Type
International school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Students come from over 20 nationalities represented in the student body.

Additional learning support
Intensive English; Counseling; Learning Support

Bus service
All students have the option to use the student transportation service. Morning and afternoon pickups are near home and aim to arrive at QSI Dili between 7:50 am and 8:15 am; the van departs school at 3:30 pm. After-school activity transport is available at no extra charge and departs by 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The driver is fully licensed and trained and meets U.S. Embassy specifications; vans are new or recent, with seat belts, stop signs, emergency exits, and cameras. A bus monitor is assigned. Fees may be paid by term or for the full school year; there is no discount program.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Cafeteria on campus

Governance and Ownership
QSI International School of Dili is part of Quality Schools International (QSI), a global organization based in Malta that provides support and resources.
Fees

Annual tuition at QSI International School of Dili ranges from USD 300 to USD 26,700 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- One-time non-refundable application/registration fee: US $300.

Capital Fund fee (age 5 and above)

- Term 1 (Sponsored): US $2,400. Term 1 (Non‑sponsored): US $600.
- Term 2 (Sponsored): US $2,000. Term 2 (Non‑sponsored): US $500.
- Term 3 (Sponsored): US $2,000. Term 3 (Non‑sponsored): US $500.
- Annual (Sponsored): US $6,400. Annual (Non‑sponsored): US $1,600.

Tuition — 5‑Year‑Old Class and above (per term and annual)

- Term 1: Sponsored US $8,100 / Non‑sponsored US $6,800.
- Term 2: Sponsored US $6,100 / Non‑sponsored US $5,100.
- Term 3: Sponsored US $6,100 / Non‑sponsored US $5,100.
- Annual: Sponsored US $20,300 / Non‑sponsored US $17,000.

Tuition — 3‑ and 4‑Year‑Old Class (half‑day and full‑day, per term and annual)

- Term 1: Half day US $2,600 / Full day US $3,300.
- Term 2: Half day US $2,100 / Full day US $2,500.
- Term 3: Half day US $2,100 / Full day US $2,500.
- Annual: Half day US $6,800 / Full day US $8,300.

Billing schedule, payment terms and discounts

- Fees are billed by term. Payment, or arrangements for payment, must be made on or before the published due dates; students will not be admitted to class if financial matters are not complete.
- Timely‑payment discounts: US $200 discount for each full‑term payment received on or before the due date; an additional US $400 discount if full annual payment is received on or before 1 October. Total maximum discount available for 5‑Year‑Old class and above: US $1,000 (special conditions apply; maximum US $800 if first‑term payment missed but full year paid by 1 October). Discounts are not available for preschool classes or scholarship students. Discounts will be reversed if a student withdraws and receives a tuition refund.
- Partial‑term charges when a student enters after term start or leaves before term end:
- Two weeks enrollment or less = 20% of the term fee.
- More than two weeks, up to four weeks = 40% of the term fee.
- More than four weeks, up to six weeks = 60% of the term fee.
- More than six weeks = 100% of the term fee. A week is defined as five school days.

Refund information and special refund rules

- Tuition refunds are handled according to the school fee policy. Discounts already applied will be reversed for students who withdraw before the end of the year and are issued a tuition refund. In the event of force majeure that causes withdrawal, fees already paid in full for the school year will not be refunded (unpaid fees will remain due). Student evaluations and official records may be withheld if fees or other funds owed are delinquent.

Boarding

- The school operates as a private day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed.

Other costs and recurring charges

- Student transportation: round‑trip bus service is available for a fee (routing and subscription details provided by the school). Specific bus rates are not listed in the published fee tables.
- Cafeteria / lunches: the school offers cafeteria lunch service; lunch charges are additional to tuition and are handled separately.
- Speech therapy and some special services: fees for outside or specialized services (for example, speech therapy) are billed to the family.
- After‑school activities and many extracurricular offerings are available; some activities may carry additional fees (amounts not specified in the published tuition schedule).

Fee payment options

- Payment methods and detailed payment instructions are provided directly by the school at billing; the published fee materials state that payment information will be supplied by the school rather than listing specific payment channels in the fee schedule.
Academics

QSI International School of Dili teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The QSI Dili Curriculum is built on Exit Outcomes: Knowledge, Competencies, and Success Orientations. Program Outcomes cover seven departments: Mathematics, English, Cultural Studies, Science, Languages Other Than English, Creative and Applied Arts, and Personal Health. Courses are organized into units, with most courses comprising about ten units per year, and students master each unit to earn an A or B grade or a P while continuing toward mastery. The Educational Model uses Time as a Resource and emphasizes Mastery Learning, with reteaching, differentiated instruction, and frequent status reports to keep parents informed. The curriculum is aligned with U.S. standards, including Common Core and NGSS, and is designed to prepare students for university through clearly defined outcomes, unit outcomes, and student-will objectives.

Student Teacher Ratio
Class sizes are kept reasonably small. Intensive English classes are smaller than mainstream classes to allow teachers to target individual student needs more effectively.

Higher Education Progression
An Advanced Placement program is offered to secondary students, providing university-level courses and rigorous prep for AP exams credentialed by the Educational Testing Service. Many U.S. colleges grant credit for AP scores of 3 and higher. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for university and life beyond school.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Counseling ensures all students are well adjusted, learn appropriate social skills, and receive extra support when needed. The elementary teachers and the counselor work to create and provide a comprehensive social emotional learning program for all students. The program supports students' social development and emotional wellbeing. Counseling and social emotional learning are delivered through the school's student services.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
QSI Dili offers Learning Support and works with a regional Learning Support Coordinator to provide additional learning support for students identified with special educational needs. The curriculum is suited for students with aptitude in the average to above average range with no discernible learning differences, or those with diagnosed or undiagnosed learning differences that have a mild to moderate effect in day-to-day classroom performance, which can be mitigated by existing policies, procedures and resources. Some students with identified special needs may not meet the requirements of the curriculum, and accommodations to learning environments and, when necessary, modifications to the curriculum are provided. The school strives to provide the full conditions for all students, including those with special needs, to be successful in the QSI environment. Intensive English, Counseling, and Learning Support are available to address these needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Intensive English is designed for students whose English proficiency level is below that commonly associated with their age. The goal is to facilitate an accelerated learning environment in which students acquire English language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing to be successful in age-appropriate mainstream classes. Intensive English classes are smaller than mainstream classes to allow teachers to target individual student needs more effectively. The Intensive English program allows students to be successful at school and feel confident as learners.

Mental Wellbeing
Counseling ensures all students are well adjusted and receive extra support when needed. The elementary teachers and the counselor work to create and provide a comprehensive social emotional learning program for all students. The program supports mental wellbeing by addressing social skills and emotional development. These supports are part of the school's student services.

Safeguarding
QSI Dili is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for students. All employees must report suspected incidences of child abuse or neglect when there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered or is at risk. QSI Dili adheres to a comprehensive child protection policy and uses the QSI Child Protection Handbook (2022-2023), the QSI Child Protection Statement, and the QSI Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct governs safe student interactions and requires individuals to maintain appropriate boundaries and report concerns. If abuse or neglect is suspected, it must be reported to the appropriate school and local authorities; safeguarding is a top priority.
Parent Experience

History
QSI International School of Dili was founded to provide a quality education in English for expatriates. It is part of Quality Schools International, a nonprofit organization based in Malta that operates a network of international schools. The program is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and includes a secondary Advanced Placement program, allowing graduates to earn a globally recognized diploma. The school follows a mastery-learning philosophy and focuses on meeting each student at their current level to foster growth. It is the only school in Dili with a singular international accreditation for all grades, Preschool through Secondary.

Community
QSI Dili has a vibrant campus community with extracurricular and enrichment programs. After-school activities, field trips, and service-learning opportunities strengthen student growth and connect students with the local Timor-Leste community. The school celebrates campus diversity and provides a caring, inclusive environment where families are encouraged to participate. With support from the Parent Teacher Organization, community events bring the school together throughout the year, including the Back to School Picnic, International Night, Harvest Festival, Winter Celebration, and End of Year Picnic.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) supports student life and events at QSI Dili. The PTO helps organize and fund events throughout the year, including the Back to School Picnic, International Night, Harvest Festival, Winter Celebration, and End of Year Picnic. The school emphasizes community involvement through extracurriculars, service-learning, and field trips as part of Student Life, all fostered with PTO support. The collaboration between parents and teachers aims to support the whole child and strengthen the school community. The events celebrate diversity and provide opportunities for parents to engage with teachers and students.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus features spacious classrooms, a state-of-the-art science lab, a computer lab, music and art rooms, and a library with over 6,000 volumes. It includes outdoor playgrounds and sports facilities, and a cafeteria serves meals on site.

Sports Facilities
Basketball court on campus supports PE and basketball activities. Outdoor playgrounds provide space for active play. A range of on-site facilities supports sports and physical education.

Academic Facilities
The campus has a state-of-the-art science lab and a computer lab for technology-enabled learning. It features a library with over 6,000 volumes to support research and independent study. There are dedicated music and art rooms to support arts education. These facilities underpin the academic program across the school.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
QSI Dili emphasizes 21st century learning across Preschool through Secondary, including critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and collaboration, along with cultural awareness and digital literacy. Success Orientation behaviors are evaluated independently from academic assessments and guide student development; the seven Success Orientations are Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Group Interaction, Aesthetic Appreciation, Kindness/Politeness, Independent Endeavor, and Concern for Others. Mastery Learning underpins the program, focusing on depth of understanding and outcomes across English, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Science, Creative & Applied Arts, Languages Other Than English, and Personal Health. The hands‑on approach includes field trips and a strong fine arts component as part of the student experience.

Arts & Creative
Creative and Applied Arts offerings include Art I–IV, Instrumental Music I–III, Vocal Music I–II, Dramatic Arts I–II, and Photography in the Secondary School. In Elementary and Preschool, art and music are part of the curriculum as special subjects, with dedicated music and art rooms on campus. The 2021 addition of new music and art rooms enhanced on‑site artistic facilities.

Cultural & Language
Languages Other Than English are offered: French I–III, Portuguese I–III, and Tetum I–III. Cultural Studies encompass World Geography, Modern World History, U.S. History, and World Governments/Economics, with Advanced Placement options such as AP Psychology and AP Comparative Government and Politics. Tetum is included as a language option within the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
There are school‑sponsored after‑school activities with transportation provided at no extra charge for students participating in those activities. Personal Health offerings include Team Sports, Wellness, and Lifetime Sports. Facilities support social and recreational activities, including outdoor playgrounds and sports facilities.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and collaboration are central to the learning model through the Success Orientations, which guide student behavior and growth. Mastery learning emphasizes high expectations and student responsibility, helping students develop leadership and professional skills as they progress through the program.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Facilities include music and art rooms, a science lab, a computer lab, and a library with over 6,000 volumes, along with outdoor playgrounds and sports facilities. Physical Education and wellness are integrated into the curriculum through Team Sports, Wellness, and Lifetime Sports, and transportation supports participation in after‑school activities.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English. Intensive English classes are available for students who are new to learning English. Portuguese is offered as a language course with Introductory Portuguese and Intermediate Portuguese. Introductory Portuguese is taught by Luis Marques and Intermediate Portuguese is taught by Joaninha Pereira.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
Middle States Association since 2013; accreditation is part of the school's documented program.
Admissions

Admissions
Join the QSI Dili community through a structured admissions process. 1. English language requirements: QSI Dili accepts students with no prior English from preschool through 13-year-olds; secondary students must demonstrate increasing language proficiency as determined by an English language assessment conducted at the school. 2. Entrance age and grade level: Students are assigned to classes according to their birthdays; QSID classes do not use traditional American terms; elementary classes are named by age (e.g., five-year-old class, six-year-old class). Exceptions to placement are made only through a meeting with the Director, after which the rationale is documented and the plan is signed by the parents. 3. Student placement: The MAP placement examination is given to applicants (7 years old and above) to determine placement, and covers reading, language arts and mathematics; a writing prompt may be administered at the secondary level to assess writing proficiency and credit transfer; the process also includes discussion of the student's academic, social, emotional and physical development, and screening by the classroom teacher during the first weeks. 4. Secondary credits: Some middle school students may have secondary credits from other institutions; such credits must be clearly stated as secondary level on transcripts to count toward graduation requirements; courses taken during Secondary I–IV years at another school may be eligible for transfer; the Director works with families to determine transfer credits; grades of A, B and C (or their national equivalents) may transfer; official transcripts are required. 5. Prerequisites for preschool: The child must turn three before November 1 to be admitted; exceptions may be approved by the school director; children must be toilet trained and able to feed themselves; they must demonstrate willingness and ability to engage with peers and be led by the teacher; exceptions require director approval. 6. Special needs: QSID may admit students with limited learning needs within the classroom's capacity; there is no resource department and there may be limitations; for students with moderate disabilities, evaluations, reports, IEPs or referrals may be required to help determine whether a program can be provided; admission may depend on family or sponsor providing additional school fees to cover professional services. 7. Intensive English: The Intensive English program provides additional instruction in verbal and written English, particularly for non-native speakers; its goal is to bring students to a level of academic English that allows transfer to regular classes as quickly as possible; students are assigned to levels to best meet individual needs; the content parallels Elementary literacy while building a foundation for academic success. 8. Placement and program structure: Preschool and Elementary serve ages 2 through 10–11; class sizes are small with between 6 and 10 students in Pre-K and 10–14 in Kindergarten and Elementary; each class has a lead teacher and an assistant; Music, Art, Languages Other Than English, Intensive English, Technology, and Physical Education are taught by specialists. 9. How to apply and contact: Applications are submitted through the Admission Application portal; for questions about the academic program contact Angela Warner (angela-warner@dili.qsi.org); for questions about admissions scheduling contact the Director, Audra Phelps (audra-phelps@dili.qsi.org). Location: Aldea 04 Marconi, Suco Fatuhada, Dili, Timor Leste; Phone: +670-332-2389.
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