Curriculum: Overview
What we offer for our young enterprising learners at The Indian International School – DSO is education of the highest order in an inspiring and stimulating environment. Primarily aligned to the CBSE curriculum, the school’s curriculum framework and course modules rightly combine the learning intents and standards emerging from the international benchmarks and the UAE National Agenda parameters.
Our principal focus is on the holistic development of the students through steady learning progression from grade to grade and integration of various curricular areas. The 21st century learning skills form the basis and the outcome of all the school programs and initiatives. Reading is fostered strongly as a culture and a skill through diverse contexts and platforms.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
Our Foundation Stage covers Pre-KG to Grade 2. It is based on the National Curriculum Framework, aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, and follows the Early Childhood Care and Education framework set out in KHDA’s latest guidelines.
The teaching and learning approach blends inquiry, experiential learning and play, with a clear focus on developing healthy attitudes, values for life and strong learning skills right from the beginning.
Settling into Pre-KG
- Individualised support — understanding each child’s routines, interests, comfort needs and separation concerns through discussions with parents
- Gradual transition — flexible arrangements, shorter sessions where appropriate, support from familiar adults
- Play-based learning — free play, sensory exploration and age-appropriate activities to build trust and belonging
- Predictable routines — consistent arrival, circle time, snack and play
- Strong parent partnerships — open communication between home and school
- Emotional wellbeing — reassurance, positive relationships and gentle guidance
Areas of learning
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Numeracy
- Understanding Our World
- Understanding Our World – Social Studies
- Life Skills
- Socio-Emotional and Ethical Development and Positive Learning Habits
- Fine Motor Skills
- Little Explorers
- Art
- Music
- Dance
- Arabic — from KG1
- Islamic Education — from KG1
All Kindergarten year groups run a full day, with an early finish on Fridays.
Primary: Grades 1 to 5
Primary is where formal subject learning begins. Our curriculum is broad and balanced, developing knowledge alongside the skills and habits that support learning throughout school. Students choose their second language — Hindi, Sanskrit or French — in Grade 1 and continue with it through the school. By Grade 5 they begin preparing for the more structured approach of the Middle years. Innovation and creativity are embedded throughout, strengthening the learning skills students will carry with them.
Subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Hindi, Sanskrit or French
- Arabic
- Islamic Education and Quran
- Moral, Social and Cultural Studies
- Computer Science and Coding
- Art and Craft
- Performing Arts — Music
- Performing Arts — Dance
- PE and Games
Social Studies is introduced in Grade 5.
Middle: Grades 6 to 8
The Middle years prepare students for the CBSE syllabus of Secondary and Senior Secondary. Grades 6 to 8 build depth across subjects while giving students greater independence in how they learn. Our teachers support learners in working on their strengths and their areas for improvement, with equal emphasis on academic progress and life skills during these formative years.
Subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Social Studies
- Hindi, Sanskrit or French
- Arabic
- Islamic Education and Quran
- Moral, Social and Cultural Studies
- Computer Science and Coding
- Art and Craft
- Performing Arts — Dance and Music
- PE and Games
Secondary: Grades 9 and 10
The curriculum scope and expectations in the Secondary phase adhere strictly to CBSE guidelines and specifications. From Grade 9, students take a skill subject: Artificial Intelligence or Introduction to Financial Markets in Grade 9, and Artificial Intelligence or Computer Applications in Grade 10. Hindi, Sanskrit and French continue as second language options. Arabic and UAE Social Studies are part of the curriculum until Grade 9. Islamic Education and Moral, Social and Cultural Studies continue until Grade 10.
Subjects in Grade 9
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
- Arabic
- Hindi, Sanskrit or French
- Islamic Education and Quran
- Moral, Social and Cultural Studies
- Art Education
- Health and Physical Education
Skill subject: Artificial Intelligence or Introduction to Financial Markets.
Subjects in Grade 10
- English
- Mathematics — Standard or Basic
- Science
- Social Science
- Hindi, Sanskrit or French
- Islamic Studies
- Moral, Social and Cultural Studies
- Art Education
- Physical and Health Education
Skill subject: Artificial Intelligence or Computer Applications.
Senior Secondary: Grades 11 and 12
At Senior Secondary, students are not required to choose a stream. Most CBSE schools ask students to commit to Science, Commerce or Humanities, and that single decision then fixes every subject for two years. At IIS DSO, students build their own combination — English Core plus four subjects chosen from our academic and skill electives, in whatever combination fits their interests and their plans for higher education. Career guidance and counselling sessions support students through the choice.
How it works
English Core is compulsory. Students choose four further subjects: at least one from the Academic Electives list, and the remaining three from either list or a combination of both. There is no optional sixth subject.
As per CBSE guidelines, students may choose either Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, and either Business Studies or Business Administration, but not both in each case.
In practice, a student can take Physics alongside Psychology, or Accountancy with Computer Science, or Biology with Mass Media.
Subjects offered in Grades 11 and 12
- English
- Accountancy
- Marketing
- Business Studies
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Banking
- Cost Accounting
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Psychology
- Design Thinking and Innovation
- Islamic Education and Quran
- Moral, Social and Cultural Studies
- General Studies
- Health and Physical Education
- Health and Physical Education
- Mass Media
- Physical Activity Trainer
Beyond the syllabus
Curriculum Enrichment – Learning that extends past the prescribed syllabus, across subjects and year groups.
Assessment – How progress is measured, reported and used to adapt teaching.
Technology and Innovation – How digital tools are integrated into subject teaching.
Academic Calendar – Term dates, examination periods and reporting schedules.
Ready to apply?
Registration for academic year 2027-28 is open from 3rd September 2026 onward.