SISD’s boarding facilities will be unlike any other school in the UAE and the Middle East. What sets it apart is both the standards of its facilities and the approach to pupil care and learning. The design of the
boarding houses, the multi-talented staff and how it has followed the Swiss tradition of providing an exceptional boarding experience are all new to the Middle East, offering parents a greater diversity in terms of their children’s education.

The boarding houses have been designed to create a calm environment that helps boarders study, rest and play. At the heart of the design has been the pupils’ experience, creating a genuine home for the students and making them feel part of the SISD community. Pupils will be immersed in an exceptional learning environment, inspiring them to become confident, responsible, and compassionate adolescents

According to a recent study, 87% of graduates who attended boarding schools say they were well-prepared for university, by mid-career, 44% of graduates who attended boarding schools have already achieved top management positions and 90% of Boarding School students said in a recent survey that they felt challenged academically.[1]

 Head of School, Beat Sommer commented on the new facility; “Boarding allows children to develop a range of key life skills and prepares them for the future, whether it is for University or later in their careers. They learn skills such as organisation, leadership, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, empathy, responsibility and cultural agility. When our boarders graduate from SISD they will leave with an international network of friends, the highest qualifications to join the best universities around the world and the skills necessary to thrive in an ever changing world.”

 SISD will have a house system in place to ensure integration between the day and boarding students. This will encourage students to develop friendships across the school. To help smooth the transition of students becoming boarders SISD invites families and children to visit the campus before joining, allowing them to meet the staff and other students. “The more familiar the child is with the school, the less of a surprise it will be when they join us and it reassures the mind of the parents.”

SISD ensure results by implementing a set routine along with a range of initiatives such as a leadership programme for the boarders, designed to inspire tomorrow’s influencers. Boarders are fully immersed in school life and do better academically as they have easier access to support from the academic staff and full access to the facilities on campus.

Gelogis

SISD will cater for boarders who live in the UAE but also to international students, having weekly and full boarders. The weekly boarding option enables students from Dubai to avoid lengthy commutes. At the same time, the school will provide student visas, allowing parents to ensure a stable school progression despite relocations. After school hours is another benefit of being a boarder, where the students can participate in numerous After School Activities (ASA’s) which are designed to stimulate and challenge. These include sporting, arts and academic pursuits. Boarders will be encouraged to follow their personal interests and try new things. For example horse riding, go-karting, golf, camping trips and wadi adventures.

Beat Sommer, Head of School, said of new boarding facilities; “SISD is the ideal choice for parents who may be busy with work and don’t feel that they have the time to support their child with academic studies but are looking for the high standard of Swiss education. SISD has the convenience of being geographically very accessible, providing parents with the option of allowing children to experience world-class boarding without sending them to the more conventional boarding destinations. Dubai also has great weather, great outdoor activities for children and is considered a safe city, especially for young people, which plays a massive part in parents’ decision making. Here at SISD we aim to be recognised as the premier boarding school in the region and we will equip young people with the skills for an independent life, leadership and the credentials to join the top universities worldwide.”

       Ends –

Notes to editors:

Beat Sommer is available for interview about this and a diverse range of educational topics from behavioural matters to university admissions.

The full campus including the Boarding Houses, Auditorium and Secondary School will be ready for September 2017. For more information on the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, visit www.sisd.ae

About SISD

The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is an international day and boarding school where future generations are inspired to become confident and enthusiastic life-long learners, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges in a global world.

Our school offers the full continuum International Baccalaureate (IB) programme from Pre-KG to Grade 9 (Grade 10 opening in 2017*) in English or in two bilingual English-French and English-German sections. We believe in having high standards; encouraging our students to stretch themselves to achieve success, unlocking talents and discovering new strengths.

In June 2016, we received the Happy Healthy School award by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) for our school-wide initiatives aimed at improving healthy eating, active living and a positive environment. Our large eco-friendly campus ensures that we can offer a wide range of sporting facilities, including water sports that make the most of our location adjacent to Dubai Creek. From September 2017 onwards, SISD will offer students full and weekly boarding in state-of-the-art facilities.

*Grade 10 opening subject to KHDA approval

[1] Statistics according to the Boarding School Tours website