Relocating to or living in Dubai: school options for your child

Finding the most appropriate school for your child in Dubai can be a daunting process. Your first port of call will likely be friends and colleagues who are already in Dubai and speaking with them about their education choices. It’s important to remember that one size does not fit all. Your priorities when choosing a Dubai school/curriculum may be very different from those of your colleagues, as you will be looking for a Dubai school to suit your individual child’s academic, pastoral and social needs. 

Key questions to ask

  • Does your child have any SEN ( Special Educational Needs)?
  • Does the cost of the school fees fit your education budget?
  • What is the demography of the teaching staff?
  • What is the maximum number of students per class?
  • What curriculum does the school offer and how does it fit with your child’s previous education experience or future university aspirations?

All of the above and more will have a bearing on your selection of schools

Curriculum combinations available in Dubai schools

The following curricula are available in Dubai schools

  • British
  • British International and American
  • IB curriculum to include the Primary Years Programme (PYP) Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma
  • Indian CBSE
  • Japanese
  • French Bilingual

There are no state (free) schools available to Expats in Dubai.  Free or state schools are Arabic schools available only to Emirati students.

The most highly regarded schools in Dubai

Below are the most highly regarded schools.  This list is entirely subjective as not all schools will meet your personal criteria, regardless of public opinion or the KHDA ratings.

British Curriculum Secondary Schools in Dubai

  • Dubai College Year 7 – Year 13
  • Dubai English Speaking College (DESC). Year 7 – Year 13
  • .Jumeira College (JPS) Year 7 – Year 13

These are considered to be the top three schools offering IGCSE and A Levels.  All three schools school are inclusive, whilst at the same time being academically selective. They are amongst the most established schools in Dubai with a proven academic track record. Entry into both DESC and Jumeira College  is automatic if the student has attended DESS ( Dubai English Speaking School ) or JPS ( Jumeira Primary School )

British curriculum all-through international schools in Dubai

  • .JESS Arabian Ranches FS1 ( Foundation Stage 1 ) – Year 13
  • Wellington International. FS1 ( Foundation Stage 1 ) – Year 13
  • Nord Anglia School. FS1 ( Foundation Stage 1 ) – Year 13

These are considered to be the most sought-after British curriculum schools offering entry in FS1 at 3 years of age until graduation in Year 13.   JESS Arabian Ranches offers automatic placement for students attending JESS Primary School ( Jumeira English Speaking School ).

American Curriculum Schools in Dubai

  • American School of Dubai ( ASD ) KG1 – Grade 12
  • Dubai American Academy ( DAA ) KG1 – Grade 12
  • .American Universal School ( UAS ) KG1 – Grade 12

If you are seeking an American curriculum, all three of these schools are superb.   The American School of Dubai ( ASD ) offers the U.S. standards-based curriculum and is accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The American School of Dubai students graduate with the American High School Diploma and have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement exams. Dubai American Academy ( DAA’s ) curriculum is aligned to the Common Core. Students who enter into the IB Diploma Programme also graduate with the American High School Diploma.  The American Universal School ( UAS ) Is an American International School that offers the IB Diploma programme and High School courses based on Aero / Common Core Plus standards.

IB curriculum international Schools accredited to teach PYP, MYP, IB Diploma

If you are looking for a full International curriculum with a truly diverse student body, you should consider these four schools:

  • North London Collegiate School ( NLCS ) KG1 – Grade 12
  • Jumeira Baccalaureate School.   ( JBS)    KG1 – Grade 12
  • GEMS International School.       KG1 – Grade 12
  • Swiss International Scientific School Dubai ( SISSD ).       KG1 – Grade 12

All of the above schools offer a first-class international education.

North London Collegiate School is an academically selective school offering only the full IB Diploma programme.  Jumeira Baccalaureate School, however, offers the full IB Diploma and BTEC which stands for Business and Technology Education Council. BTEC is a qualification based on practical rather than academic study.  GEMS International School offers the full IB Diploma alongside CP IB which is a curriculum that integrates professional and academic learning.  Swiss International Scientific School Dubai offers students the opportunity to graduate with a full IB Diploma, IBCT ( IB Career-Related Programme ) or BTEC alongside a bilingual curriculum in French, German and English. This school is the International school of choice for European families whose mother tongue is not English.

French curriculum schools in Dubai

  • Lycée Française Georges Pompidou

Georges Pompidou offers the three stages of French education:  Maternelle, Elementaire and College.  Georges Pompidou requires a French Passport to enrol. 

Japanese schools in Dubai

  • Japanese School Dubai offers the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum Grade 1 -Grade 6 And then Grade 7 – 9. The majority of students returning to Japan to complete High School

School Fees in Dubai

Education in Dubai is expensive.  Although there are schools to fit every education budget, the quality and experience of teachers may be reflected in your fees. For the purposes of this blog let’s assume you are selecting British curriculum Primary schools.

British Curriculum Annual School Fees Foundation Stage 1 and 2

Primary School. AED66,000 to AED82.000

Secondary School.         AED95,000

This is the average cost of a very Good to Outstanding school. Needless to say, this can increase annually depending on the Annual Inspection Report of each school.

International Curriculum IB Dubai Annual School Fees

Kindergarten 1 and 2     AED102,000

Primary Years.  AED105,000

Middle Years.    AED124,000

Senior Years.     AED140,000

American Curriculum Dubai Annual School Fees

Kindergarten :AED64,500

Elementary, Middle School and High School:  AED91,000

Waiting Lists for Dubai Schools

Parents have the opportunity to submit applications to as many schools as they wish. It is not uncommon for parents to apply to as many as 9 different schools in the hope that their child will be called for an assessment. This can be an expensive process as an application fee of AED500 is paid before the school application is processed. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for some of the more highly sought-after schools to have wait lists for up to 2 years.  However, should a place unexpectedly become available it is likely to go to a student who most closely fits the schools’ academic profile rather than who may be the next name on the waitlist. Sibling priority is given to any applicant who has a sibling already attending the school.. It is worth noting also that Emirati students are given priority in any of Dubai’s Outstanding rated schools. An effort is made to keep an equal gender balance.  Often if the class is boy-heavy, then a place may will be offered to a girl and vice versa.

Application Process for Dubai Schools

Post COVID all applications are now made online. Two full years academic reports are required. If the student declares any SEN needs then a recent Education Psychologist Evaluation should accompany the application. Any SEN that is not declared will result in the offer of a space being withdrawn. In many of the popular schools mentioned there will also be a confidential discussion between the student’s current school and the school being applied too. Parents are not informed of the conversation.

Residency and visas

It is not necessary to have obtained your Emirates ID and Residents Visa in order to accept and enter a school in Dubai. The Ministry of Education allows new arrivals two months to arrange and to receive their residency,

In Conclusion

Selecting an appropriate school in Dubai can be an overwhelming and time consuming process.  If at all possible, the support of professional education consultant is advisable.  We hope that the information in this blog will assist families relocating to Dubai and applying to Dubai schools for their children. 

Fiona Coutts Education Consultant Imagining the Future Established 2009