Deutsche Schule Kobe International

DSK International (DSKI) is a German school abroad and an IB World School for children ages 2 to 11. At DSKI, we provide an exceptional, innovative education anchored by our German heritage and recognized for embracing the rich diversity in our learners and our world. We approach education holistically in order to ensure that students learn using their heart, head and hands.

Our mission is built upon our German heritage and European values and beliefs. As a school community we strive to be lifelong inquirers inspired by and challenged through authentic and meaningful learning experiences. Being committed to providing an exceptional education, we foster international mindedness, critical thinking, inclusion and respect for diversity and the willingness to act with integrity and compassion.

Our school was founded in 1909 as a German School to serve German, Austrian and German speaking Swiss expatriates, traders and missionaries living in the Kobe area. After a long history of teaching a German curriculum the school changed its programme in 2002 and offers since then one of the most internationally recognized primary school programmes worldwide: The Primary Years Programme (PYP).

We became a truly international school supporting students from all over the world! Students from any country are more than welcome, we would love to extend our international community!

The school offers a very strong language programme focussing on 3 languages: English (Native and English as a second language), German (Native and German as a Foreign language) and Japanese (Kokugo and Japanese as a Foreign language).

At DSKI we offer so much more than a school. We offer an enjoyable and stimulating journey from one year old up to eleven years old. We strive to develop our students into well-rounded, multilingual global citizens who will have a passion for learning for life and a desire to make a change in the world.

Under the expert guidance and care of our teachers, your child will flourish in an environment incorporating a wide range of subjects through our programmes, and co-curricular activities.We offer a wide range of pursuits, activities and services to make sure your child's development and your family's experience is world-class.The Playgroup at DSKI is a fun and interesting class for native and non-native English speaking children from 1 to 3 years old that is held on Thursdays for one hour.

Using many songs, picture books, stories, puppets and other props, games, role-play and more fun and stimulating activities, children will learn target language such as greetings, colours, shapes, numbers, action verbs and short sentences.

The class activities are widely acknowledged effective methods of motivating young children to understand and learn language. Educators emphasize that repetition is the key to success in learning a language, and that songs are effective, entertaining tools for mastering pronunciation and rhythm. As parents will accompany their children to the class, parents can learn the songs, activities and also the target language meaning they can practice with their children at home.

The Early Years Program at DSKI consists of two primary groups: Pre-Kindergarten (children 2-3 years old) and Early Years / Kindergarten (children 3-5 years old). The Early Years department is equipped with facilities and resources that were designed with younger children in mind, and created to provide them an accessible and engaging space to flourish.

The Pre-Kindergarten curriculum follows three original units inspired by the IB philosophy of “inquiry-based learning.” These units help children to build vocabulary, strengthen their developing social and motor skills, and prep them for entry into the IB PYP Early Years Program.

Over the course of two years, students in Early Years explore 8 PYP Units of Inquiry, providing them a foundation for the transdisciplinary themes of the PYP. In addition to unit experiences in the classroom, Early Years children embark on a number of exciting excursions throughout the year. Children also enjoy a rich weekly schedule filled with challenging and fun subjects including: Art, Physical Education, German as a Foreign Language, Music, and more!

Teachers aid children as they begin their journeys to become Lifelong Learners, providing a safe and support-filled environment where questions are welcome and play is the most important part of the day.

The IBO (International Baccalaureate) is a non-profit organisation based in The Hague, The Netherlands. It provides an educational philosophy and framework to ensure that schools all over the world are providing stimulating, relevant and balanced programmes for their students.

As an authorised IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme) world school since 2006 and a German School Abroad, DSKI uses the educational plans from the Thuringia curriculum alongside the PYP Programme of Inquiry to create a comprehensive, inquiry based programme from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The resulting programme focusses on delivering a holistic curriculum encompassing the academic, social, emotional and physical aspects of learning.

We are very proud of our DSKI Alumni. While the students are at DSKI we love watching them grow academically, socially and emotionally. When the students leave we are confident we have provided them with an excellent education which will help them excel and to continue achieving in life. We are very happy to say that 90% of students are accepted to their 1st choice Kansai secondary school which we think is amazing!