There are plenty of international schools in Dubai but competition for places and fees are high. Many follow the British or American curriculum and are staffed by teachers from the UK, Australia, and the US.
The academic year is divided into 3 terms, starting in September and ending in June. The school week runs from Sunday to Thursday. Start and finish times vary by school but are typically 8 am and 2.30 pm.
Many schools have entrance examinations and most have a uniform or dress code.
Fees vary by school, with many charging different fees for each age group. Additional fees are payable for registration, transport, uniforms, extra-curricula activities, and other expenses.
Documents must be submitted with an application form to enrol a child in school. These include:
- Copies of birth certificate and passport
- Passport photographs
- Transfer certificate from current school
- Recent school reports
- Medical history
British, American and International Schools
The following schools in Dubai are popular with expatriates:
School
Area
Curriculum
Level
Notes
Mirdif
American
Elementary, High, Kindergarten, Middle
Girls school situated in Al Mizhar, close to Mirdif.
Garhoud
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
British school for boys and girls. Situated in Garhoud and managed by GEMS Education.
Dubai Festival City
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
Follows the English National Curriculum for pupils aged 3 to 18.
Al Barsha
American
Elementary, High, Kindergarten, Middle
GEMS school close to the Mall of the Emirates
Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Village
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
British school in the exclusive Emirates Hills area of the city.
Al Sufouh
British
Secondary, Sixth Form
One of the leading secondary's schools in Dubai.
Dubai Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis
British
Secondary, Sixth Form
British secondary school and sixth form college.
Oud Metha
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
One of the best primary schools in Dubai.
Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Village
International Baccalaureate
IB DP, IB MYP, IB PYP
International school in Emirates Hills.
Al Barsha
American
Elementary, High, Kindergarten, Middle
Offers a US education to over 2,500 boys and girls.
Al Qusais
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
Follows the British curriculum. Situated in Al Qusais.
Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Village
British, International Baccalaureate
IB DP, IB MYP, IB PYP, Kindergarten
Follows a UK and International Baccalaureate curriculum.
Al Safa
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
Primary school in Al Safa managed by GEMS.
Mirdif
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
Independent primary school near Mirdif.
Dubai Silicon Oasis
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
New school at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Al Sufouh
British, International Baccalaureate
Foundation Stage, IB DP, Primary, Secondary
Large school in Al Sufouh following the National Curriculum for England/IB
Dubai Investments Park
International Baccalaureate
IB DP, IB MYP, IB PYP
Follows an International Baccalaureate curriculum. Located at Dubai Invesments Park, near the Green Community.
Discovery Gardens, Jebel Ali, Jumeirah Park
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
British primary school close to the Ibn Battuta Mall.
Jumeirah
International Baccalaureate
IB DP, IB MYP
Follows an international programme of study.
Al Safa
British
Secondary, Sixth Form
British secondary school managed by GEMS Education.
Al Safa
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
Primary school offering a British education.
Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Village
British, International Baccalaureate
Foundation Stage, IB DP, Primary, Secondary
Follows the English National Curriculum for pupils aged 3 to 16. Sixth formers study for IB.
Umm Suqeim
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
Primary school in Umm Suqeim. National Curriculum for England.
Dubai Investments Park
American
Elementary, High, Kindergarten, Middle
Offers and American education. Based at Dubai Investments Park, near the Green Community.
Umm Suqeim
British
Follows the Montessori curriculum in kindergarten and the Cambridge Primary Curriculum at primary level.
Umm Suqeim
British, International Baccalaureate
IB DP, IB PYP, Secondary
Follows a mixed UK and international curriculum.
Emirates Hills
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
UK school at the Greens, Emirates Hills.
Dubai Silicon Oasis, Nad Al Sheba
British, International Baccalaureate
Foundation Stage, IB DP, Primary, Secondary
Modern school with boarding facilties. International partner of the famous Repton School in the UK.
Oud Metha
British
Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
Private school popular with Asian students. Follows the National Curriculum for England.
Al Qusais
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
Primary school near Dubai International Aiport.
Mirdif
British
Foundation Stage, Primary
Primary school in Mirdif.
Al Jaddaf
International Baccalaureate
IB DP, IB MYP, IB PYP
IB school offering a English-French and English-German curriculum.
Al Safa
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
Offers an British education for around 1000 students.
Al Qusais
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
School close to Sharjah. Follows the National Curriculum for England.
Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Park, The Gardens
British
Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
Located near the Ibn Battuta Mall.
Dubai Festival City
American, International Baccalaureate
High, IB DP, IB PYP, Middle
School at Dubai Festival City following a US/IB curriculum
Photo Credit: Alpha Spotting/Shutterstock
