SECONDARY SCHOOL

SECONDARY SCHOOL

German educational standards. International compatible.

The secondary level at the German International School Riyadh covers grades 5 to 10 and consistently follows German educational standards. It is aimed at students who grow up in an international environment while pursuing a reliable, compatible educational pathway within the German education system.

As an Excellent German School Abroad, we offer families planning certainty: A move from Germany to Riyadh or from Riyadh back to Germany is possible at any time—without disruption to education, without repeating a grade, and without academic disadvantages. This continuity is precisely what makes the secondary level at DISR special.

Our students learn in their class group, within clear structures and with a learning culture that demands achievement, strengthens personality, and promotes responsibility.

Learning in secondary school

Teaching at secondary level combines German subject curricula with modern, collaborative learning formats. In addition to subject-specific qualification, we place great emphasis on independent work, critical thinking, and the ability to take responsibility for one’s own learning process.

Our teachers support students individually and help them identify their strengths and develop them in a targeted way. Clear performance expectations, transparent feedback, and an appreciative learning environment provide guidance and motivation.

The language of instruction is German. At the same time, international perspectives are consciously integrated—as preparation for studying and living in a globalised world.

German educational standards. International compatible.

The secondary level at the German International School Riyadh covers grades 5 to 10 and consistently follows German educational standards. It is aimed at students who grow up in an international environment while pursuing a reliable, compatible educational pathway within the German education system.

As an Excellent German School Abroad, we offer families planning certainty: A move from Germany to Riyadh or from Riyadh back to Germany is possible at any time—without disruption to education, without repeating a grade, and without academic disadvantages. This continuity is precisely what makes the secondary level at DISR special.

Our students learn in their class group, within clear structures and with a learning culture that demands achievement, strengthens personality, and promotes responsibility.

Learning in secondary school

Teaching at secondary level combines German subject curricula with modern, collaborative learning formats. In addition to subject-specific qualification, we place great emphasis on independent work, critical thinking, and the ability to take responsibility for one’s own learning process.

Our teachers support students individually and help them identify their strengths and develop them in a targeted way. Clear performance expectations, transparent feedback, and an appreciative learning environment provide guidance and motivation.

The language of instruction is German. At the same time, international perspectives are consciously integrated—as preparation for studying and living in a globalised world.

The transition from primary school to secondary school is an important step. In the two-year orientation stage, we provide particularly close support to students. Through close cooperation between primary and secondary school, as well as a buddy system between grades 4 and 5, we shape this transition deliberately and gently.

The learning content in German, Mathematics, and English is coordinated across the curriculum. In this way, we build specifically on existing competencies and enable a stable start in lower secondary school.

At the end of grade 6, students receive an individual recommendation for their educational pathway. This is based both on academic performance and on pedagogical observations. The aim is to find the right educational path for each child.



At DISR secondary level, the following qualifications can be obtained:

  • Hauptschulabschluss after grade 9
  • Intermediate School Leaving Certificate (MSA) after grade 10
  • Preparation for the academic-track pathway and the transition to the GIB

All qualifications are aligned with the German education system and enable both a move to Germany and a transition to international educational pathways. This keeps our students’ educational journey flexible and future-proof.



Career and study guidance

Making decisions with guidance and perspective.

A key component of secondary level is systematic career and study guidance. Students engage intensively with their own interests, abilities, and future aspirations and receive well-founded insights into the German school and higher education system.

Application training, information on study pathways, and a two-week work placement in grade 9—in Saudi Arabia or in the home country—provide practical experience. The placement is supported and reflected upon by teachers so that the insights gained can be incorporated purposefully into further educational planning.

Career and study guidance

Making decisions with guidance and perspective.

A key component of secondary level is systematic career and study guidance. Students engage intensively with their own interests, abilities, and future aspirations and receive well-founded insights into the German school and higher education system.

Application training, information on study pathways, and a two-week work placement in grade 9—in Saudi Arabia or in the home country—provide practical experience. The placement is supported and reflected upon by teachers so that the insights gained can be incorporated purposefully into further educational planning.