One hundred and ten years ago, the Deutsche Botschaftsschule Teheran (DBST) was established, offering a German curriculum to students aged 3–18 who were living in Iran. Since then, graduates have been able to earn the DIAP, the highest diploma attainable for secondary students in Germany and in German schools abroad. In 2012, the International Section of the German Embassy School Tehran (DBST) was added, and now this elite school is a member of Search Associates. DBST is located inside the British Embassy Compound in the more affluent northern part of Tehran. The location of the school is very convenient, as it is on one of the capital city’s best known streets and very close to a metro station. Since the school is on diplomatic soil, the country’s Islamic dress code does not have to be followed on campus.
What makes DBST attractive for students, parents, and teachers are the highly multicultural environment, the dedicated staff, and the excellent, modern facilities. DBST, now in its second year of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) candidacy, currently enrolls 177 K–8 students of 29 nationalities. While 18% are Iranian, 68% are from North America and the U.K. Of the 36 teachers on staff, 30 are Iranian and six are from North America and the U.K. As a PYP candidate school, DBST offers great IB training opportunities for teachers.
The school—which consists of a kindergarten, elementary school, and secondary school—is housed in several buildings located on a 11,000-square-meter campus, which feels like a park thanks to the presence of streams and brooks as well as many well-established trees, several children's playgrounds, a basketball court, and an artificial turf field. In addition to the all-purpose classrooms, there are special facilities dedicated to science, music, art, and computers, as well as a large German-English language library. The cafeteria sells snacks and fresh fruit during breaks in the school day, and during lunch time, a specially-cooked lunch is served. Outside, the school community can make use of outdoor seating, table kickers (foosball), and a table tennis table.
DBST is interested in hiring single teachers and would consider married couples with a non-teaching spouse and interns. The school will also consider newly-certified teachers with exceptional personal qualities. Teachers must be certificated and hold their degree in the subject they will be teaching. Work visas may be obtained up to the age of 55.
The DBST package includes a furnished apartment near the school and a moving allowance. At the end of every school year, the school awards an allowance for airfare. Travel costs for first arrival and last departure are also reimbursed. While there is no limit to the number of dependents who receive the tuition benefit, all members of the teaching staff who receive this benefit pay a small annual fee per child, with the amount dependent upon each child’s age. Regarding opportunities for the faculty to develop their teaching practice, the school says, “[At] DBST professional development (PD) is an integral part of school life. Apart from the mandatory Category One IB-PYP workshops, all members of the staff attend relevant online or face-to-face workshops. We also have an on-going, collaborative PD program in place.” Local health insurance, including dental, is fully covered, and the school offers partial coverage of medical treatment abroad. The school also subsidizes lunch, language classes, and a fitness club membership. Great savings potential comes with a DBST package and tax-free salary.
To gain access to The German Embassy School Tehran’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
