Welcome

I would like to extend to you a very warm welcome to Dallas International School (DIS), which constitutes an incredibly diverse community of students, families and teachers coming from all corners of the world with their unique cultures and backgrounds that enrich us all. 
 
DIS has a distinctive historical identity combining a rigorous education program with an emphasis on French and other languages. As a member of the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, we are the only institution in North Texas to offer both the curriculum of France’s Ministry of Education and the IB Diploma. A DIS education imparts a sense of the crucial importance of seeking to be academically ambitious, socially responsible, and internationally minded. 
 
By exposing children to the great expressions of human knowledge from an early age, we make it possible for them to progressively develop a considerable degree of mathematical logic and scientific precision, as well as the critical thinking, creativity, and sensitivity associated with the study of the humanities. The role of teachers, irrespective of their origin and training, is to awaken the students’ curiosity, make them understand that no fact is out of reach, and enthuse them to strive incessantly for the pursuit of wisdom. In the words of French researcher Philippe Meirieu, educators must themselves “be stirred by the thrill of knowledge” so that they can communicate that passion to students.
 
Languages are crucial for the development of children. Firstly, at the level of their mother tongue, that is to say, the language spoken in the family, which has a key role in their lives as it links them emotionally to their roots, their origins, their ancestors. Then, students also acquire the language or languages of the nation, which are needed so that they can act in the public arena. Finally, learning foreign languages allows them to transcend borders, understand different world views, and adopt an intercultural attitude towards other people. With French and English at the center of our education, together with Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and German, DIS students develop a genuinely international perspective.
 
In many ways, DIS reminds me of the schools I attended as a child and teenager, which encouraged me to go deeper and deeper into every area of knowledge, reflect both on my rights as an individual and my responsibilities as a citizen, and learn a range of languages to try to understand the diversity and richness of human experience over the ages and across the globe. Our students at DIS thrive in this challenging, yet inspirational environment, and they are accepted into the most prestigious universities in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Wherever you go in the world, you will always find a DIS student or alum who will be extremely welcoming and will sing the praises of their alma mater.
 
Indeed, we are all immensely proud of our school. Please take the time to explore our website and our campuses, where we will be delighted to share our wonderful story with you.
 
Sincerely,

Dr. Josep González
Head of School