Best schools in Dubai

With growing popularity of residence in the UAE, many choose to settle down in Dubai and relish all the benefits it has to offer. Many of those who become expatriates and residents turn to forming a family with the desire to provide the best conditions for it further on.

One of those necessary steps of a growing family is having to provide children with appropriate and high-quality education that will ensure their bright future. Many people that reside in Dubai turn to search for the best Dubai schools and pre-school options.

Education in Dubai

In the UAE, general education is mainly offered through public and private schools, the latter taking over 90% of the educational field, most of which also provide learning programs for international students in different languages.

All public schools of Dubai offer free education up to secondary level to all citizens and are quality-controlled by the UAE government, making sure the teaching programs are up to high standards of international schooling. Public schools in the UAE are also gender segregated.

When it comes to Dubai private schools, learning courses are offered for a fee that depends on a school rating by KHDA – a quality regulator for all private education. The higher the rating, the higher the cost of enrollment and yearly studies. All private schools teach in English; however, it is mandatory to include Arabic classes to every program. 

Generally, the educational system in Dubai follows the next structure:

1. Pre-school development in nurseries from 2 to 5 years old. Although highly recommended, this educational step is optional and parents may choose to homeschool their child until it’s time for them to go to primary school;
2. Primary, secondary and upper-secondary schools from 6 to 18 years old, concluding the total of 12 classes, where children get the most development of their academic, social and creative skills. This step of general scholarship is considered the most important in child growth, and so making the right choice when it comes to an education establishment is incredibly important;
3. Tertiary learning, international colleges and universities, an optional step for those who seek higher educational paths and careers;
4. Additionally, development schools and supplementary discipline centers working with special needs or development of certain skills.

Choosing a school in Dubai

As mentioned before, choosing what place your children will learn and develop in is one of the most important steps of their growth that will determine their future development both academically and as an individual. The government of the UAE makes sure that schooling establishments provide the necessary level of social and educational fuel for children to help reach their potential.

There is a number of factors to note before choosing a school in Dubai, as the list below goes:

• Public or private. While both options offer equal quality of education, they differ in several aspects – whether there is a tuition fee; the variety of study courses; basic or higher education and so on. The choice of schools should fit the needs and capabilities of your family at the time;

1. If the latter, KHDA rating: this rating in Dubai summarizes the overall quality of the schools at your choice – whether the staff is qualified, the education is up-to-date and so on. Top KHDA schools are considered the best ones in Dubai;
2. If the latter, tuition fees: enrollment and study fees in Dubai range depending on many factors, primarily the KHDA rating. About 40% of students of Dubai schools pay no more than 100.000 AED annually;

• Learning programs. Although most schools in Dubai offer a similar catalog of curriculum activities, some may not be widely available. For example, international schools typically offer more options when it comes to learning programs;
• Location. Whether you’re planning on using public transport or your own vehicle, you should consider what neighborhood of Dubai your school of choice is located in and how far it is from where you live. Older regions of Dubai will have lower costs compared to the ones residing in the heart of town. Additionally, the further away the schools are, the longer it will take going back and forth, taking away time from other things on your schedule.

All in all, what schools you end up choosing will have a great impact later on in life, so it is important to take this consideration seriously, view your options and study the information of the educational institute before enrollment.

Special education needs in Dubai

In Dubai, special needs children receive just as high-quality education as any other, as nearly all Dubai schools offer programs that will suit them. The government of UAE supports international and local schools with funding programs, thus stimulating the development of the availability of schools for any children.

Almost every fifth child in Dubai is recognized as one with special needs and so it is mandatory for schools in the UAE to create a learning environment that will be comfortable for them to grow and develop in. If that environment isn’t reached via a special learning program, it has to come from additional services and courses implemented in existing curricula.

The following examples are some of the schools of Dubai that are suitable for children with special needs:

• GEMS Royal Dubai School;
• Knowledge Gate International School;
• Byron Court Primary School;
• Acland Burghley School;
• Manzil Center.

These schools all provide specially developed curriculum that is comfortable and understandable for children with special needs, thus not excluding them from the educational paths and future career opportunities.

Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Dubai

Pre-school education in Dubai is suited for children from 2 years of age on average, with international schools taking a slight change depending on the development program.

Nurseries in Dubai focus on early development of the child and their abilities, fostering fine motor skills, creativity, logic, spatial thinking and so on along with many social skills. Dubai childcare is oriented around growing an active and fully developed to their age individual that is ready for more advanced education.

When choosing a pre-school establishment in Dubai, similarly to choosing schools, note several factors:

• Teaching and nursing staff;
• Safety measures;
• Government and parental rating;
• Condition of the buildings;
• Costs;
• Learning programs and methods.

Going through this information beforehand will grant the necessary knowledge to pick the best option in Dubai to care for children. However, if you believe that none of the provided options are suitable for you and your family, in the UAE you are allowed to homeschool your children until primary school. In that case, you will have to fully prepare your child for everything that they would have learned if they have gone to kindergarten, so that they will have no issues transferring from homeschooling to a public environment.

Best schools in Dubai

Following is a list of some Dubai schools considered ones of the best with exceptional levels of education. The catalog of schools below isn’t limited, as Dubai has an astonishing number of highly rated and prestigious schools across all its regions:

1. Repton School

Repton School is a Dubai branch of one of the oldest and well-respected British schools that follows all British educational traditions – from the teaching methods and curriculum to living in a gender segregated pension. This international school provides its students with a qualitative educational level and is considered to be one of the top international branched out schools situated in Dubai.

The KHDA rating for Repton School is Outstanding – the highest rating granted to exceptional practice in the educational field.

Entry exams for this school are oral in the form of an interview and can be taken remotely. The tuition fee varies from 60.000 AED to 70.000 AED with the pension being optional and paid for separately.

2. Credence HS Dubai

Rated by KHDA as Very good, Credence HS Dubai is one of the top CBSE schools in Dubai, offering inclusive and international programs to over two thousand of its students that are co-educated on a massive campus. This school prides itself in creating a happy and comfortable environment on its grounds and fostering love for learning and exploration with the help of a well-structured and balanced curriculum.

Tuition fee in Credence HS Dubai varies depending on the course from 13.000 AED to 26.000 AED and rises gradually as the educational years move forward. The school also offers a number of discounts that can lower said fee, for example, a sibling discount, where younger children of the family get an admission for a cheaper cost.

3. Emirates International School, Jumeirah

EIS is a fairly old educational establishment that was the first in Dubai to begin offering an IB Diploma Program with some of the highest results in the entire region for over three decades. Nowadays, Emirates International School offers all four of the IB programs along with other curricula.

The school focuses on the overall development of the individual, encouraging soft skills and critical thinking to be prioritized, as they are essential to the modern day reality and work environment.

The fee for studying in the EIS goes from 36.000 AED to 77.000 AED from year 1 to 12 respectively.

4. Nord Anglia International School of Dubai

NAS Dubai offers methods of the national English curriculum and provides IB Diploma or similar in quality courses to be taken. NAS Dubai is one of the top premium schools in the Nord Anglia association that reside around the globe to bring higher quality teaching. 

It prides itself in the ambition, prestige and community union that it brings to its students. Believing that there should be no limits to learning, NAS Dubai staff and students commit to reaching the highest academic achievements and show exceptional results each year.

To study in NAS Dubai with the KHDA rating of Outstanding, one will have to pay from 64.000 AED to 96.000 AED annually depending on the scholar year. That does not include application fees and expenses for certain textbooks.

5. Horizon English School of Dubai

Horizon English School is one of many schools that provides British founded curriculum for international students across Dubai. Although communication and classes in the school are done in English, it is not a requirement for enrollment in the entry year, for the school offers English classes for non-fluent students to practice. 

Horizon English School is known for its exceptional method of communication called Horizon Communicator, which makes interactions easy and understandable for anyone participating. By KHDA rating, students of the Horizon English School show not only incredible academic results, but also personal development.

Tuition fee for Horizon English School of Dubai is ranging from 40.000 AED to 54.000 AED excluding the medical fee that is fixed each year at 1.200 AED.

6. GEMS Royal Dubai School

GEMS Royal Dubai School is located in the villa community of Mirdif, it prides itself in the Outstanding KHDA rating for primary school – the only one in the region.

GEMS Royal provides two major curricula: British program and a special needs program for children of primary to secondary school age. Keeping its programs up-to-date and attentive to the needs of its students, GEMS Royal puts a family-first atmosphere at the core of its schools. This means caring not only for the academic achievements of its students, but also for their personal development and happiness.

The tuition fee for GEMS schools is from 39.000 AED to 49.000 AED, additionally, the school offers several discount plans, including a co-branded credit card and partial payment method.

7. Dubai English Speaking School

DESS is the oldest British educational establishment in the UAE, founded in 1963, and is also one of the few schools in Dubai operated not for profit. Administered by an outside board, the school’s profit is reinvested into its facilities and spent on educational purposes, ensuring the ever-developing quality of the school grounds.

DESS is rich with extracurricular activities, proving that not only academic success is important when it comes to the development of a child. Teaching only through year 1 to 6, DESS is focused on all-side growth and provides the necessary curriculum that has been rated by KHDA to the highest degree.

The tuition fee for DESS is from 36.000 AED to 44.000 AED, although it does not include any fees for course examinations. The school also offers the sibling discount on its own terms.

8. Deira International School

Deira International School offers a world-class educational level of studies to its international students in Dubai. It is exceptional in fostering creativity, social skills and academic curiosity within the school grounds. Recreational activities at DIS play a big role in the teaching and help shape students as individuals.

The school has an impressive in its size and contents library that combines modern technology with traditional educational methods and creates a space of knowledge and availability to all DIS students. The access to the library is free to all its pupils and has resulted in better learning throughout. 

Annual tuition fee for Deira International School starts from 40.000 AED and reaches 82.000 AED. The school offers cashback opportunities and a split monthly payment for the fee without additional interest that not many other schools do.

9. Jebel Ali School

First founded for children of expatriate workers, Jebel Ali School expanded to become one of the most respected schools in Dubai with non-profit status. Fully modernized campus, multicultural focus and cosmopolitan style are some of its most attractive features for pupils and parents. The school has at its goal to bring a safe, aspiring and communal environment for children to grow and develop in and succeeds to reach that goal every year.

Tuition fee for studying in Jebel Ali School is from 46.000 AED to 75.000 AED, that does not include a mandatory Debenture payment that is withheld for the duration of the studies and is returned upon graduation.

10. Dwight School of Dubai

Dwight School of Dubai is a relatively new branch of the co-named NY school situated in the UAE and is one of the many American-based schools that offer a wide variety of curricula to choose from, including the most popular and prestigious courses.

With the tuition fee ranging from 62.000 AED to 106.000 AED, Dwight School is considered to be one of the schools on the higher end of the cost, taking exceptional dedication to developing academic interest in children and making sure it lasts outside of its walls. The school finds its mission in fostering the new generation of leaders and highly intelligent creative citizens that will prosper in the modern day.