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.

A Message from the daughter of our founder.

2001 photograph of completed Dallas International School new campus building.

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Cheers to 35 Years!!

2026 marks a special milestone for Dallas International School as we celebrate our 35th anniversary! Founded in 1991, DIS has built a distinctive model of international education in North Texas.

DIS is the only school in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex offering continuous language immersion from age two through 12th grade, providing students with a unique pathway to multilingual mastery. DIS is also the only school in North Texas offering the French Baccalaureate Diploma, a globally recognized credential.

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized As an authorized IB World School since 2007, DIS offers the IB Middle Years, Diploma, and Career-Related Programs, as well as access to the prestigious Advanced Bilingual IB Diploma. Students also have opportunities to explore aviation, work toward a Private Pilot or Drone Operator License, and participate in educational travel and international exchanges.

From language immersion and internationally recognized diplomas to global travel and hands-on learning, DIS gives students the opportunity to become confident, multilingual, and globally engaged citizens.

For 35 years, DIS has been preparing students not just simply to explore the world—but to thrive in it.

1976
French Linguistics is founded by Jeanne Jeannin to teach French courses to adults.
1987
French Linguistics teachers children's courses to French expats, following the French educational program.
1991
The French Consulate in Houston determines that an official School should be opened in Dallas. The School is renamed as Dallas International School.
1997
Jeanne Jeannin retires as Headmistress.
1998
Construction of new campus begins.
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).
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.
2021
Dallas International School celebrates 30 years!
2026
Dallas International School celebrates 35 years!