History of Dallas International School

Dallas International School was founded in 1991 to meet the needs of the French expatriate community in Dallas.

By offering a program that blended the curriculum of the French Ministry of National Education along with classes taught in English, children were offered the best academics of both countries. Over time, American families in the Dallas area became interested in the bilingual education offered at DIS, further boosting enrollment.

 Spanish and Mandarin third language instruction was added to the curriculum by 2006, and began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in 2007. A new secondary school campus opened its doors in January 2012 at 17811 Waterview Parkway near UT Dallas to accommodate growth in the middle and high school. Today DIS educates over 600 students across its two campuses.


2001 photograph of completed Dallas International School new campus building.

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1976
  • French Linguistics is founded by Jeanne Jeannin to teach French courses to adults.


DIS Founder: Jeanne Jeannin
1987
  • French Linguistics teachers children's courses to French expats, following the French educational program.


1987, The French School of Dallas
1991
  • The French Consulate in Houston determines that an official School should be opened in Dallas.
  • The School is renamed as Dallas International School.
  • The school joins the Mission Laïque Française, who purchases property at Churchill Way and Preston Road.
1997
  • Jeanne Jeannin retires as Headmistress.
1998
  • Construction of new campus begins.


1998, Dallas International School
2001
  • Construction of new campus is completed.
2007
  • DIS receives accreditation by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
2008
  • DIS enters into an educational partnership with the University of Texas, Dallas.
  • DIS High School is relocated to the UT-Dallas campus.
  • DIS receives accreditation with the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS).


2008, Dallas International School
2011
  • DIS purchases building adjacent to land acquired in 2008 at 17811 Waterview Parkway to house secondary school.
  • DIS receives accreditation with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).
2012
  • Renovation of Waterview building is complete and the Middle and High School move into the new campus.


2011-13, Dallas International School
2021
  • Dallas International School celebrates 30 years!


DIS Cheerleading team.