Top schools for expats in Dubai: Here’s a ready reckoner of curricula, locality, and fees

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
Grade\Year: 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. For exact fee structures check the KHDA roster.)