Image credit: Dubai Media Office
If you are new to Dubai and looking to enroll your child/children in an educational institute, the city’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has an updated list of the best schools in the city.
According to the KHDA, Dubai currently has 220 private schools, offering 17 curricula to students from more than 180 different nationalities.
More than three-quarters of all students in Dubai receive an education that is rated ‘Good’ or ‘Better’ by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, including 76 per cent of Emirati students, noted the authority in its 2023 report.
For the first time ever, the rate of enrolment growth entered double digits in the 2023-24 academic year, registering at 12 per cent, or more than 39,000 additional students, compared to this time last year.
The total number of students attending Dubai private schools is now more than 365,000. The KHDA releases an annual list of schools and their rankings based on certain metrics such as performance, STEM subjects, development and more.
KHDA names outstanding schools
GEMS Modern Academy
Location: NADD AL SHIBA FIRST
Curriculum: Indian,Indian/IB
GradeYear: GRADE 6 – GRADE 12, Pre primary – GRADE 12
Average Fees: Dhs40,537
Kings School Dubai
Location: Umm Suqeim Third
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs55,000
GEMS Dubai American Academy – Dubai Branch
Location: Al Barsha South First
Curriculum: American
Average Fees: Dhs73,725
Dubai English Speaking School
Location: Zaabeel First
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs40,000
Jumeirah English Speaking School
Location: Al Safa First
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs67,841
Horizons English School
Location: Al Wasl
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs46,621
GEMS Jumeira Primary School – Dubai Branch
Location: Jumeirah Third
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs46,188
Dubai College
Location: Al Safouh First
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs92,339
Jumeirah College
Location: Al Safa First
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs82,000
GEMS Wellington International School – Dubai Branch
Location: Al Safouh First
Curriculum: UK/IB (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs69,769
Deira International School
Location: Dubai Festival City
Curriculum: UK (13 Y),UK/IB (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs61,285
Dubai International Academy
Location: Emirates Hills
Curriculum: IB (13 Y), International Baccalaureate
Average Fees: Dhs56,807
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Br)
Location: Arabian Ranches
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate,UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs66,845
Dubai British School
Location: Emirates Hills
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs63,121
Repton School
Location: Nadd Al Shiba Third
Curriculum: UK/IB (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs73,932
Dubai English Speaking College
Location: Academic City
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs72,479
Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School Oud Metha
Location: Oud Metha
Curriculum: French
Average Fees: NA
Victory Heights Primary School
Location: Dubai Sports City
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs43,227
Nord Anglia International School
Location: Al Barsha Second
Curriculum: UK (13 Y), UK/IB (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs79,697
Kings School Al Barsha
Location: Al Barsha Second
Curriculum: UK (13 Y)
Average Fees: Dhs75,710
(List updated November 2023)