DIS - Dresden International School

What DIS - Dresden International School does

Dresden International School (DIS) is a private, non-profit international school operating as DIS Dresden International School gGmbH in Dresden, Germany. Founded in 1996 and recognized by the Free State of Saxony as a state-approved alternative school, DIS delivers a full-day, English-taught International Baccalaureate (IB) programme spanning preschool (ages 1–5) through Grade 12, including the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. The school serves approximately 500 students drawn from 55 nationalities, with a 1:7 teacher-student ratio and a faculty in which 70% of teachers hold 10+ years of experience.

DIS operates across two physical campuses — a preschool campus in a historic villa in Dresden-Blasewitz and a main school campus in Dresden-Altstadt featuring a large sports hall. Core curriculum is supplemented by 49 after-school activities, a Buddy Programme, a ConnectDIS alumni mentorship service, and partnerships with cultural institutions such as the Semperoper Dresden. The school holds IB World School status and was re-accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in November 2024, ensuring U.S. and European university recognition of the diploma.

The business model is tuition-funded subscription revenue from enrolled families, with a structured admissions process, open house events, and financial assistance available to many families. A separate fundraising association (Förderverein der Internationalen Schule Dresden e.V., formed 1996) supports capital projects and community programming. As a non-profit gGmbH, DIS targets a balanced budget rather than profit maximization, with recent capital investment directed to a new extension building (groundbreaking June 18, 2025; opening Winter 2027) that will expand capacity by approximately 90 students. Reported outcomes include a 98% IB Diploma pass rate, 94% university attendance, and an average IB diploma score of 35 points.

Name

DIS - Dresden International School

Legal name

DIS Dresden International School gGmbH

Website

https://dresden-is.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dresden International School is a non-profit, English-taught IB World School in Dresden, Germany, serving approximately 500 students ages 1 to Grade 12 from 55 nationalities. It operates two campuses and funds itself through tuition and a fundraising association.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK)

Keywords

• International education services
• IB diploma programme
• Primary school education
• Secondary school education
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dresden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: DIS is a non-profit educational institution (gGmbH) that generates revenue primarily through tuition fees. The school charges tuition for its full-day English-taught IB programme spanning preschool (ages 1-5) through Grade 12. Many families receive no or reduced school fees based on financial need, with no selection based on parental income.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dresden International School delivers a full-day, English-taught International Baccalaureate (IB) education from preschool (ages 1-5) through Grade 12, covering the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. The school operates two physical campuses in Dresden and supplements academic instruction with co-curricular activities, English language and learning support, careers counselling, and an alumni mentorship programme (ConnectDIS). Tuition fees are the primary revenue source, with financial assistance available to families based on need.

Product overview

Dresden International School offers a comprehensive IB (International Baccalaureate) educational programme from preschool (ages 1-5) through Grade 12. The school operates across two campuses - a historic villa preschool in Dresden-Blasewitz and a modern school campus in Dresden-Altstadt. Core offerings include the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school supplements academic education with co-curricular activities, student support services, alumni networks (ConnectDIS), professional development workshops, and summer programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Programme Full-day early childhood education for children ages 1-5, delivered at the historic villa preschool campus in Dresden-Blasewitz, following best early childhood learning practices with highly qualified, dedicated staff.
• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) IB-recognized primary education for Grades 1-5 combining academic rigour with international-mindedness, taught in English, and preparing students for progression to the Middle Years Programme.
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) IB Middle Years Programme for secondary school students (Grades 6-10), preparing them academically and personally for the IB Diploma Programme.
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11-12, preparing students for university admission worldwide, with a 98% pass rate and an average diploma score of 35 points (above the world average of 30).
• Summer Language Camp Week-long summer language camp offering English and other language learning activities for students, complementing the core IB programme offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% IB Diploma Pass Rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Semperoper DresdencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2025After a one-year trial phase, DIS became an official partner school of the Semperoper Dresden. The partnership provides students (Primary and Secondary) insight into opera operations through workshops, tours, rehearsals, and performances. Integrated into Music and Performing Arts curriculum.
• Förderverein der Internationalen Schule Dresden e.V. (DIS Fundraising Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996The Fundraising Association was formed in 1996 when the school was founded as a separate non-profit organisation. Board Chair is Frank Schleicher. Members include community leaders in economics, politics, and science, parents, and supporters. They volunteer to support DIS, organize sports clubs (DIS Swim Club, DIS Golf Club, DIS Ski Club), and fund school projects including the new extension building, solar panels, campus greening, and chemistry lab refurbishment.
• Bakita Girls OrganisationminorOthersDIS has supported the Bakita Girls Organisation in Ifakara, Tanzania for over 10 years. Founded by alumna Patricia Schneidewind, the charity supports girls through secondary school. 34 girls supported, 2 now studying at university. Currently building a community centre.
• Two Wings SchoolminorOthersDIS supports Two Wings School providing primary education in English to financially deprived families in Iringa, Tanzania. Fundraising initiated by Spanish teacher Ms Alexia Uhia. Currently raising funds to purchase land for primary school certification.
• Talaki ProjectminorOthersTalaki (Arabic for 'Come Together') is a DIS community project supporting refugee integration. Organizes joint activities including music, games, sports, benefit concerts ('Talaki Rocks'), and charity runs ('Talaki Runs!'). Nominateed for Saxon Citizen Award in 2017.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Munich International School: MIS is a well-established, non-profit IB World School near Munich offering PYP, MYP, and DP for an international student body. Its scale, non-profit structure, full IB continuum, and English-medium instruction closely mirror DIS's operating model.
• International School of Stuttgart: IS Stuttgart is a private IB World School serving Kindergarten through Grade 12 with English-language instruction and a similarly international student body. It is directly comparable in mission, curriculum, and target customer.
• International School of Düsseldorf: ISD is one of Germany's longest-standing international schools, offering a full IB continuum (PYP/MYP/DP) alongside other programmes. It shares DIS's positioning as a non-profit, English-medium, IB-accredited school serving expat families.
• Berlin Brandenburg International School: BBIS is a private, non-profit IB World School in Berlin offering PYP, MYP, and DP across its campus. Like DIS, it serves an international and globally mobile student body, uses English as the primary language of instruction, and is CIS/NEASC accredited — making it the closest comparable in business model and offering.
• International School of Bremen: IS Bremen is a private IB World School serving a comparable international community in northern Germany. It mirrors DIS's scale, IB-only curriculum, and English-medium instruction for expatriate and internationally minded families.

Regional players

• Leipzig International School: Located roughly 100 km from DIS, Leipzig International School offers an English-language IB programme from Kindergarten through Grade 12 and serves a similar expat community in Saxony. It competes for the same regional expatriate families, making it the most direct geographic peer.
• Thuringia International School (ThIS): ThIS in Weimar is a smaller IB World School in central Germany offering a similar English-medium IB programme. It represents a nearby regional competitor with overlapping curriculum and target audience.

Broad incumbents

• Frankfurt International School: FIS is one of the largest and oldest international schools in Germany, offering IB programmes across multiple campuses. While significantly larger and more established than DIS, it competes for the same pool of internationally mobile German-resident families seeking IB education.
• Swiss International School (SIS) Germany: SIS operates a network of bilingual IB schools across Germany. While its multi-campus, bilingual model differs from DIS, it competes for the same expatriate and internationally minded families seeking IB education in major German cities.

Others

• Council of International Schools (CIS): CIS is the international accreditation body that has accredited DIS and its peers. While not a competitor, CIS is an ecosystem participant whose accreditation framework and quality standards shape competitive positioning for DIS and all other international schools in Germany.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DresdenInternationalSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/dresden.international.school
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dresden-international-school

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DIS - Dresden International School