Brief overview of the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg
The Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg (DSJ) was founded in 1890 and is one of Johannesburg's oldest schools. With approximately 970 learners it currently (2010) ranks among the largest German schools in Africa. The DSJ is regarded as a school of cultural encounter. At present learners from 27 different nationalities attend the DSJ, conferring a multicultural and thus international status on the school.
Since 2002 children from non-German speaking families have been able to attend the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg, starting from kindergarten and pre-school. There they learn German through play, yet in a very intensive way. Together with the German mother-tongue speaking children, they can start primary school in grade 1.
The new kindergarten, called "Regenbogen Kids", was officially opened in March 2006. The second phase of the new building was completed in July 2007. Additional space which was urgently needed for further subject rooms is now available in the primary school. Consequently, in the long term not only the pre-school and kindergarten, but the entire school is benefitting from the new building. The new building will also make it possible to keep classes small, i.e. with a size of twenty learners.
The Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg is not differentiated according to traditional German school forms (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium). However, its school reports at the end of grade 9 and 10 are equated with the school-leaving certificates of the Hauptschule and Realschule respectively.
In South Africa the school year coincides with the calendar year: it starts in the middle of January and ends at the beginning of December. Like virtually all South African schools, the DSJ prescribes a school uniform for all learners, excluding those in the pre-school.
The DSJ provides a learning and living environment to all its learners. Besides a school education which meets international standards, it offers a wide and diverse range of special interest-courses and extramural activities. The school grounds of almost eight hectares, which are generously equipped with a sports complex, allow learners to practise numerous forms of sport. Learners who prefer music may join the band, small instrumental groups or choirs. Chess and computer studies are offered to interested pupils. True to custom a dance course is also offered.
In many respects school at the Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg ressembles school in Germany. There are, however, rules and aspects that differ from those of schools in the Federal Republic of Germany and that are explained by the fact that the DSJ seeks to synthesise the German and South African school sytems.
In August there is always an Open Day. We look forward to your presence. Consult the current calendar of fixtures for the exact date.