Arts and music provide students with a wide range of opportunities and means to respond to their experiences and engage with historical, social and cultural contexts. We stimulate our students to think and to articulate their thoughts in new ways by employing a variety of media and technologies.

In PYP schools all students have the opportunity to learn more than one language. At ISD, each student connects with the host country in a variety of ways, including learning German approximately one period per day from the age of 5...

The need to communicate is instinctive and the development of language is fundamental to the need to communicate, as it supports and enhances our thinking and understanding. Language permeates the world in which we live: it is socially constructed and dependent on the number and nature of our social interactions and relationships.

The power of mathematics for describing and analysing the world around us is such that it has become a highly effective tool for solving problems. It is also recognized that students can appreciate the intrinsic fascination of mathematics and explore the world through its unique perceptions.

Our outdoor learning team designs learning activities which drive and complement classroom units of inquiry, as well as developing stand-alone outdoor units of inquiry. Examples of units that incorporate an outdoor learning component include: cycles are a part of life (reception); imagination takes us to other worlds (prep); tools help us to create (grade 1); art is in nature (grade 2); matter can be changed (grade 3); access to natural resources (grade 4); simple machines (grade 5). 

PSPE is concerned with the promotion and development of concepts, knowledge, attitudes and skills that contribute to an individual’s well-being.

Science leads learners to an appreciation and awareness of the world as it is viewed from a scientific perspective. It encourages curiosity and ingenuity and enables the student to develop an understanding of the world.

Social studies learning guides students towards a deeper understanding of themselves and others, and of their place in an increasingly global society.

Senior School students at ISD study both English literature and language. Like any other creative endeavour, literature helps us to make sense of the world and our place in it. As readers, we are opened up to the limitless world of possibilities and opportunities, through stories, poems, novels, and plays. As for the English language, it is the world's 'lingua franca', the universal language of science, mathematics, technology, finance, and many more. English is a uniquely flexible and versatile language, in which our students are able to communicate their thoughts and ideas to a worldwide audience. In short, the study of English literature and language is vital to our students' well being: it informs, entertains, and provides a pathway to future success. 

We support students in their German language acquisition process, as well as developing literacy and communication skills in those for whom German is their mother tongue...

Our Individuals and Societies programme aims to instil in our students a respect for and understanding of the world around them. We also provide a skills base from which they can continue further inquiry.

We maintain that mathematics is more about process than results. Thus, students are expected to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

All students from grades 6-12 have the chance to engage in a performance-based music curriculum that has holistic educational benefits for all learners.

The physical health education programme provides a foundation for every student’s physical and social development. It is designed to develop positive attitudes towards physical activities and to instil a desire for life-long involvement in sport.

In keeping with our belief that the study of science is a fundamental part of the education of all young people, science is taught in all grade levels at ISD.  Instruction takes place in purpose-built laboratories which are equipped to support the aims of the curriculum and provide a safe and stimulating learning environment.

In our technology and design classes, students not only gain knowledge of materials and processes, but also develop design and presentation skills through an investigative, open-ended pedagogical approach. They investigate, design and create products, always keeping in mind who will use them.

Theatre Arts at ISD provides opportunities for students and the wider school community to learn and develop through collaboratively creating, playing, improvising, and performing.

Our experienced art educators work together to create a continuous programme of art education for students from reception to grade 12. The lessons incorporate the diverse backgrounds and unique talents of each student. Individual experiments, instruction in technical skills, art criticism and cooperative projects are just some of the subjects covered.

Learning world languages is essential in a global world. It allows students to gain access to realities beyond their native language concepts, and thus contributes to an international understanding.